Augmented reality (AR) is taking the world by storm. From video games to medical applications, AR has become an all-in-one technological solution for solving problems and making life easier. The mining sector is not left behind either. When it comes to using new technologies and software solutions to improve efficiency, increase productivity, and reduce operational costs. In other words: to make mining cheaper, faster, and more efficient.
What is Augmented Reality?
The term ‘augmented reality’ describes a technology that supplements the real world by adding digital information to it. Unlike virtual reality, where users are completely cut off from the real world, augmented reality is a hybrid of both the physical and digital worlds. This means that digital information gets overlaid over the physical world. AR can be used in a number of industries, including the agricultural sector, construction, medical, exploration, and manufacturing industries. AR is also gaining popularity in the field of mining to increase production efficiency and improve safety. Tools like the Nsflow platform enable performing on-site work with the help of augmented reality.
Digital transformation in the Mining Sector
AR has been getting a lot of attention in the mining sector for its use in increasing efficiency and reducing costs. AI, machine learning, and data analysis can be used to improve processes in the mining sector by combining information from various sources like sensors, GPS, and cameras. AR can be used to manage the workflow of mining operations, like the accurate location of a mining machine, track its movement in real-time, manage safety parameters, and oversee the workflow. AR can also be used to improve safety in the mining sector by improving competency levels, enhancing knowledge management, and reducing the risk of human error. When it comes to augmented reality in mining, Nsflow can be used to create a visual representation of the equipment and the surrounding environment to manage risks and ensure safe operations.
How AR is Being Used in the Mining Sector
AR can be used to improve safety in the mining sector. The use of AR in the mining sector can be executed by creating visual representations of equipment and the surrounding environment, enabling workers to use digital twins. AR can also be used to manage equipment, like the precise location of sensors to avoid any issues. This technology can also be used to track the health of the equipment, like the precise location of cracks and wear from the equipment to avoid any issues. As a result, unplanned downtimes can be reduced and personnel knows exactly which parts of the machine need to be replaced, without stopping its operation.
Benefits of Using Augmented Reality in the Mining Sector
Improved safety and efficiency – Mining companies can use augmented reality to create visual representations of equipment and the surrounding environment to manage risks and ensure safe operations. This digital elements can be used to manage the execution of mining activities, like the accurate location of mining machines, tracking their movement in real-time, managing safety parameters, and supervising work from the bird’s eye view
Increased production – Mining companies can use augmented reality to create visualizations of the machinery to understand equipment health and the precise location of possible failures. This information can be used to reduce the time lost for inspections and avoid any issues caused by unplanned downtimes
Better workflow – Augmented reality can be used to create visual representations of the equipment to manage work, like managing the timing of activities and identifying areas of concern or improvements. This can help optimize operations and increase efficiency.
Key challenges for the adoption of AR in the Mining Sector
Cost – AR systems can be costly. This can result in hesitation to adopt this technology in the mining sector.
Difficulty in managing data – Mining companies may have issues managing data from different sources like sensors, GPS, or cameras due to the complexity of the data. This may result in a delay in the implementation of AR systems.
Difficulty in creating visualizations – Visualizations can be a challenge for mining companies because the data collected from sensors is extensive, requiring scable and high-response tools to grasp the whole concept.
Conclusion
As the mining sector continues to change, mining companies need to invest more in innovation to stay competitive. Being one of the examples of augmented reality in mining, Nsflow and its features can help by providing visualizations of machinery to understand equipment health and identify issues before malfunctions occur. This way, companies can optimize operations and increase efficiency. With the popularity of AR increasing, it will be important for mining companies to invest in this technology as it can help in increasing on-site safety, reducing the cost and time lost for inspections, and improving operational efficiency.
