AI Enhances Explosive Traceability, Improves Security

Q: How did XControl Technologies become an independent entity separated from Zacsoft? 

A: Our vision prior to the pandemic was influenced by the economic landscape foreseen in 2018 and 2019. Anticipating changes in the country's economy, Zacsoft pivoted to become a product-oriented company focusing on the sectors we were familiar with: mining, security, and healthcare. The product that emerged from Zacsoft evolved and gained market adoption, prompting us to spin off XControl Technologies into a separate entity beyond just a product. XControl Technologies has now become a company with a vision to revolutionize the mining sector through technology. We are dedicated to developing technologies that serve the mining sector, starting with explosives control and expanding into fuel management, safety, communication, and tracking. XControl Technologies aims to spearhead innovation across these areas, positioning itself as the cornerstone for future product developments.

Q: What competitive advantage do XControl Technologies customers have when adopting your solutions?

A: Handling explosives is a delicate matter. Some mining companies have had their permits suspended due to issues involving the loss of explosives, which are products of interest to national security. Therefore, their handling is meticulously overseen by SEDENA.

Mines are required to regularly submit detailed reports on each cartridge of explosives used, all marked and serialized. We have developed a system ensuring complete traceability throughout the entire explosives life cycle. This system tracks discrepancies, identifies responsible parties, and monitors every step, from mine arrival to blasting site delivery. Our system manages reception, dispatch, inventory control, and warehouse operations, streamlining processes for faster, error-free dispatches compared to manual and Excel-based methods prevalent in some mines. XControl Technologies ensures regulatory compliance and rapid error detection, preventing permit loss, which outweighs the system's licensing cost.

Q: What does implementing a fully AI-driven system for explosive management at Frisco’s San Francisco del Oro mine mean for XControl Technologies?
A: We are initiating a significant partnership with Minera Frisco, expanding beyond a client-supplier relationship to a strategic partnership. Proactively, we are exploring new technologies to develop and implement. It is fully open to supporting us in integrating these technologies, starting with the San Francisco del Oro project in El Parral, Chihuahua. We already have plans for other Frisco mines to adopt these advancements. This collaboration extends beyond economic proposals; it is about synergy, mutual support, and exciting opportunities to revolutionize our product while integrating emerging technologies.

We are focusing on interface enhancements and advancing technology beyond traditional reporting, using AI to completely transform human-system interactions.

Q: What are the foreseeable challenges you see in implementing the XControl Technologies system in other Frisco mines, and what strategies are being planned to overcome them?

A: Each mine has its unique operational characteristics that involve variations in certain system parameters. About 95% of the system is already set up and ready to be implemented in any asset. The remaining 5% involves perfectly adapting the system to fit the mine's operations. Much of the challenge mitigation we are undertaking is precisely through AI. 

The major challenge lies in the learning curve. When assisting individuals used to manual methods, AI can act as a sidekick that provides instant answers and guidance on regulations, operations, and procedural sequences in natural language. 

Q: What kind of data does XControl Technologies expect to gather, and how will this information help refine the algorithm to better adapt to other mining sites?

A: Our strategy is to not feed data to a general AI but to a specific one for each mine. Each mine follows different operational criteria, and the critical training elements must be completely aligned with the mine's operations. For example, some mines only require input from authorized personnel and product details on an explosives exit permit, while others need additional data, such as destination, level, budget, and drilling machine specifics. 

There are many aspects to consider, and we train our team to interact with the system's databases and understand each mine's specific operations. Privacy is crucial for us and we ensure that no mining operation receives information about another, as each one operates independently.

Q: How does transforming XControl Technologies’ system into a software as a service (SaaS) model enhance user experience and operational efficiency?

A: We have started using the SaaS model in a testing environment. AI facilitates the process so the client can self-train, with everything at hand to do so. The challenge before AI was training staff to use the system. We have closed that gap, allowing us to begin testing with a SaaS model. 

This is a bit more complicated in the mining sector because many mines do not have internet access due to policy. Under this architecture, we implement client-server solutions, creating an internal network for managing information. Mines that allow internet access do so with robust security mechanisms, enabling them to operate with this new SaaS architecture.

Q: How does XControl Technologies engage with different types of mining operations? 

A: We have engaged with large institutional groups that already have mature security audit and control areas. We see significant potential in medium and small mines, which are sometimes independent operations and not part of larger mining groups. These independent mines allow us to act as their IT advisory partner, often asking us to assist with technology issues. We assess security, system operations, and infrastructure, drawing on our years of experience in cybersecurity, including penetration tests, vulnerability analysis, and mitigation, which we handle alongside Zacsoft.

Q: What problems would the implementation of a natural language interface (NLI) solve for XControl Technologies users? 

A: Many of our users come from diverse operational backgrounds and may not have extensive computer skills. The NLI integration simplifies interactions by allowing users to communicate with the system in natural language. This improvement significantly reduces the learning curve typically associated with using complex systems. Our recent trials with Frisco in San Francisco del Oro illustrate the effectiveness of this approach. We are continuously refining our AI integration to conduct demand analysis tailored to each mine's specific conditions. This capability enables predictive analytics, optimizing the consumption of explosives and other resources. As we refine and validate these functionalities, they become available to all our clients, marking a transformative shift in how mining operations can streamline their processes with advanced technology.

Q: What are the main incentives for companies to adopt new technology?

A: The technological landscape supports a wide array of crucial areas, such as security. There is a lot of untapped technology that could significantly enhance both personal and asset security. We are actively exploring these topics in our laboratory and collaborating with Frisco’s innovation center in Zacatecas. Water management is another critical issue in mining that can be optimized by technology. Safety and operational control in mines, which span vast areas, benefit greatly from the real-time, precise information provided by technology.

Q: What challenges could arise from the mining sector’s digital transformation?
A: The challenge lies more with technology providers than with the miners because we need to ensure technology adoption is straightforward. The real resistance often comes when personnel need to interact with these systems. The key for technology providers is to create a user-friendly platform. With the available technology, we can bridge that gap and make it easier for mining companies to adopt technology, provided they see that the technological solutions reduce costs, increase productivity, or mitigate risks.

Q: What initiatives is XControl Technologies looking to implement to continue being a key player in the mining industry’s technological journey? 

A: XControl Technologies is focusing on explosives management and is expanding to include fuel control. We are simultaneously addressing security and human resources, recognizing the interconnected nature of this data. Over the next three years, XControl Technologies will evolve into the leading ERP solution for the mining industry, covering all aspects of mining operations. Our vision is to enhance XControl Technologies with modules that are essential for comprehensive mining company management, aligning with the versatile applications of other ERPs in various industries. 

While our focus is on the Mexican market, other locations have seen value in XControl Technologies. We have initiated implementations in Peru and are prospecting opportunities in Chile. Specialization is key and we must adapt to each country's requirements for explosives management.

XControl is a Mexican software developer that offers a modular explosives management system designed to oversee all processes and resources related to the use of explosives in mining. It includes features for generating reports compliant with SEDENA regulations and business intelligence capabilities.