Leading Change: How Managers Can Drive Innovation in Mining

30 October 2024

Leading Change: How Managers Can Drive Innovation in Mining

Mining is one of the oldest industries known to man, with origins dating back to tens of thousands of years ago. That being said, the mining industry has also seen various improvements and innovations over the years. What used to be a laborious task has now been made more efficient with the help of better mining techniques and cutting-edge technology. In every step of this evolution, managers have always been instrumental in determining what is necessary to improve not only the productivity and efficiency of the mining operations they oversee but the safety of their workers as well.

Therefore, if you’re a manager currently at the helm of a mining project, then it is up to you to drive innovation in your mining site to improve its conditions and productivity. Here are some ways to help you accomplish that goal.

1. Invest in Multifaceted Technology

Technology has always been a crucial factor in innovating the way any industry operates, but it’s especially important in mining. This is because technology in mining doesn’t only aim to increase productivity but also to promote safety of workers and improve compliance to environmental regulations, among others. As such, any investment in technology that you’ll make for your mining project should be able to cover multiple grounds to be truly considered innovative.

One good example of this is a smart water monitoring system. Mining has always been a water-intensive industry as water is utilised in extracting minerals, transporting mining waste, and cooling down machinery. This requires site managers to always be on top of their site’s water supply to ensure that this precious resource is being used efficiently.

Ideally, you should opt for a smart water monitoring system that lets you take full control of your water supply. This often comes in the form of software that tracks water usage, allowing you to assign who can access the supply, detect leaks, monitor tank levels, and manage water damage restoration, to name just a few critical capabilities.

2. Foster a Culture of Collaboration

Innovation can spring from the combined perspectives, experiences, and knowledge of different people. Therefore, as a manager, you should always strive to foster a culture of collaboration within your team to encourage people to voice out their suggestions and ideas. After all, the different roles people play on the site also means they can bring unique viewpoints to the table.

For instance, people who are assigned in mining exploration are expected to figure out where valuable minerals are found and determine how to expand the current mining coverage to reach those areas. Hence, they may be able to advise those assigned in the construction and operations departments how to efficiently and safely proceed with the excavation process. Rather than keep people strictly within their circles, letting such collaborations happen allows novel solutions and learning opportunities to come up naturally.

3. Embrace Change

Given the long tradition of the mining industry, it’s inevitable that many mining operations today still feel the need to do things “the old way” rather than be open to change. While there is merit to following time-tested mining practices, embracing change is also important to keep up with the evolving mining industry.

As a site manager, one way for you to encourage this mindset is to introduce strategic partnerships. Consider inviting researchers to share their ideas on how current mining techniques can still be improved, working with tech companies to develop tools tailored to mining operations, or collaborating with non-profit organisations to find ways to make your mining project much more sustainable. Through the help of these external collaborators, you’re able to innovate old mining practices and bring them up to speed with current times.

4. Empower Workers through Training

Innovative ideas come easier to minds that are constantly sharpened. So, make sure your workers are given ample resources and training opportunities that allow them to refresh and update their own knowledge, which in turn can help them contribute more innovative ideas to the project. Investing in your people’s skills can go a long way and can be instrumental in making not only your current mining project a success but also future ones to come.

5. Stay Updated with Mining Trends

Make it a habit to stay up to date with mining trends and research. What are new challenges that the mining industry is facing today? Are there any emerging technologies that improve efficiency in mining and mitigate risks? How about any recent regulation changes that can affect your mining project? By staying on top of industry news, you get a better understanding of the modern mining landscape, which then gives you the background and knowledge needed to develop your own innovative ideas.

As a manager of a mining site, you’re responsible for creating an environment that allows innovative ideas to grow and thrive. In turn, these ideas can help the mining industry as a whole evolve as well. With the pointers discussed above, you can steadily accomplish that goal while also improving the efficiency, safety, and productivity of your own mining projects.

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