Technological advancements have propelled the mining industry into a leadership position in digital transformation, moving away from its traditional lagging status. Mines have significantly improved their operations by adopting networking and automation technologies. Statistics from reports by Mordor Intelligence™ Industry Reports emphasize the growing significance of technological solutions in the mining sector. According to Mordor Intelligence, the Smart Mining Market is estimated to reach USD 34.16 billion in 2024, with a projected CAGR of 0.21% through 2029.
Mining companies are looking for ways to simplify and automate their critical activities, helping them to overcome current inhibitors to safely manage and expand operations. They seek software solutions to manage the exploration and production of minerals, optimize human resources and equipment use, and comply with environmental, health and safety regulations. Mines are making the significant changes required to achieve their smart mine transformation goals.
As the influx of innovative devices and solutions continues, security is a primary concern for operators who fear substantial downtime or workplace injuries. The use of heavy equipment fosters an incredibly dangerous environment where security and safety vulnerabilities can induce dire consequences.
At Shabodi, we recognize the pressing nature of instilling confidence through simplified processes and heightened security as mining operators progress along their transformation journeys. As a provider of a powerful Network-Aware Application Enablement Platform (NetAware), we have focused on use cases within the $500 billion industry to enable tailor-made solutions for mine operators.
There are three primary areas of concern relating to security in which Shabodi can help:
- Network and general infrastructure security
- Physical security of premises
- Securing physical assets
Cybersecurity
The mining industry, known for its complex operations and risk-intensive nature, stands to benefit significantly from Shabodi’s innovative solution. Modern operational applications, increasingly imbued or integrated with AI functionality, offer advanced data gathering, analysis, and action capabilities, simplifying mining operations. These network-aware applications rely on smart infrastructure to access real-time data and deliver results such as alerts, alarms, or automated responses using human-machine interfaces and/or, increasingly, intelligent machines (such as autonomous drones). Network investments in mines are foundational in achieving their transformation goals.
Our NetAware programmable network platform is designed to handle complex network communication needs, particularly in high-security environments like mining. It helps mining operations optimize resource usage and enhance security by simplifying how applications interact with networks in real time. Acting as a bridge between applications and networks, our NetAware enhances network and cyber security by maintaining a clear separation between these disparate environments. By integrating cutting-edge network security solutions, mining operations can bolster their resilience against cybersecurity threats and ensure uninterrupted and secure data flow across their infrastructure.
Physical premise security
With the infrastructure secure from external influence, NetAware enables applications to adapt their logic to any advanced network and any equipment vendor. In the mining arena, this allows operators to expand their network footprint with high confidence extending coverage to all areas of a mine’s facilities, increasing the ability to monitor operations and provide a safe and secure environment for workers. Examples of where this can be applied in a mining facility include:
- Physical premise access control using dedicated biometrics, including facial recognition, controls with real-time data feeds, real-time analysis and feedback to automated entry control processes and personnel.
- Continuous monitoring of remote locations with a variety of connected devices working with AI-based applications to alert for intrusions or abnormal conditions, and dispatching autonomous and/or human resources to investigate and mitigate risks.
- Wired and wireless sensors integrated into an early detection monitoring system with the ability to locate and alert personnel in the proximity of an imminent event, both removing non-essential personnel and adding event-mitigation personnel.
By enabling a secure technologically advanced platform from which a mine’s future state service environment can expand and evolve, Shabodi’s network-aware EAP becomes a critical element in a mine’s digital transformation journey. With a safe and secure environment, including streamlined and efficient operations, employees are more confident, productivity improves and bottom-line results grow. All stakeholders benefit from digital transformation to a network-aware smart mine with optimized business processes, enhanced expansion and exploration, and compliance with health, safety and environmental regulations.
Asset security
Continuous monitoring of critical assets with QoS, and high-definition video cameras helps to reduce the risk. Assets can also be fit with highly sensitive tracking sensors that provide location and telemetry information, with alerting for unexpected activity tied into security monitoring tools. The NetAware provides the means for applications to adjust network conditions allowing for prioritized, high-quality communications with devices providing asset security.
The Final Word
Shabodi’s NetAware programmable network platform represents a pivotal advancement in fortifying the security aspect of mining operations. As the industry continues to embrace digitalization and technological innovation, the role of solutions like Shabodi’s NetAware programmable network platform becomes increasingly indispensable in safeguarding critical mining infrastructure and fostering a secure operational environment.
To learn more about how Shabodi NetAware is revolutionizing the mining industry, schedule a meeting here or download our whitepaper.
