'Data democracy' changing the mining industry: Innovation and tech experts weigh in on the digital transformation of mining.

• Date: 01 April 2019
• Author: McKinley, Karen

Why should the mining industry go digital?

Several experts at the 2019 Prospectors and Developers Association of Canada convention had their reasons, emphasizing that data is critical for all aspects of operations and gives all members ownership in the results.

Sudbury's Maestro Digital Mine hosted a special panel discussion on the subject at the convention's Northern Ontario Mining Showcase on March 4.

The panel included Theophile Yameogo, vice-president of digital innovation at Dundee Precious Metals; Ethan Hull, CEO of TECHrep Global and former IT manager of Barrick Gold; Chris Burgess, director of innovation and transformation at Yamana Gold; and Michel Samovojski, technology coordinator for the Canadian northeast district of Goldcorp.

The panel was moderated by Bob McDonald, host of CBC's science talk show Quirks and Quarks.

Data is becoming the most valuable asset of the business world, and mining is no exception. Hull explained as mines advance, they need more real-time data from the operation so they can make faster decisions, keep...