Technology Helps Mining Become a Zero-Harm Industry

Operational safety remains a key priority for leading companies in Mexico, such as Peñoles and Fresnillo, as the industry's environment, materials, and activities can pose a risk to the health and well-being of workers. Although the implementation of new technologies has improved the safety of operations in Mexico, there is still room for improvement.

Mining is among the most dangerous industries in the world. Globally, there are more than 15,000 mining-related deaths per year, according to World Counts. The most common accidents in mining are related to structural failure, rockslides, transportation, machinery, energy isolation, falling objects, working at height, fires and explosions, confined spaces, and hazardous material, among others.

Leading companies have placed safety as one of their top priorities, making the implementation of new technologies key to ensuring zero accidents. "Digital transformation and connectivity are at the heart of the modern economy. That is why, at Peñoles, we continue to adopt tools that allow us to meet our goal of zero accidents," said Rafael Rebollar, CEO, Industrias Peñoles. Octavio Alvídrez, CEO, Fresnillo plc, commented that the company's promotion of safer technologies impacts not only employees, but also production and the environment. "The deployment of new technologies allows us to promote automation to improve risk management and ensure the well-being of our employees and communities. These innovations also enable us to make our water and energy consumption more efficient and minimize our carbon footprint," said Alvídrez.

Peñoles and Fresnillo highlighted that they have opted for technologies such as Key Out, a device that allows employees to be located in real time and specialized vehicles to be operated remotely. The companies emphasized that this implementation of safer technologies allows them to move increasingly toward sustainable mining for their employees, neighboring communities, and the planet.

According to CAMIMEX, the mining industry has improved its safety conditions up to an average incidence rate of 0.90 accidents for every 100 workers in 2022. This is a remarkable achievement for the industry, considering the national average is 1.70, while in sectors that might be perceived as safer, like supermarkets and department stores, the rate is 2.93. 

These results are not enough, however. “Even having a low 1% accident rate means at least one worker will not go back home and we cannot accept this,” Jorge Garate, CEO, Minverso, stated. While technology providers like Nokia, who lead the 4G and 5G connectivity trend, have promoted these developments widely in mining, technologies are still not widely used in the Mexican industry. 

The implementation of new technology could be challenging to companies as some workers are reluctant to adopt new systems, whether because of fear of losing their jobs or just not perceiving them as a viable solution. Some experts argue that technology may not necessarily take away jobs, but rather provide workers with more time to focus on higher-value tasks within a mining project, reported MBN.

To foster adoption, companies suggest focusing on an innovation-based culture, which does not necessarily mean developing their own technology. “Mining operators must be specialists in mining, not in technological advances,” said Mauricio Orea, Heavy Industry Sales Manager, Rockwell Automation.