Zhezkazgan, 21 October. Kazakhmys Corporation has opened a Central Dispatch Centre in Zhezkazgan, a single digital space where mining, ore processing, rail logistics and industrial safety are monitored in real time, including with the help of video analytics based on artificial intelligence.
The centre was opened by the chairman of the corporation's management board, Ruslan Oskenali, and the governor of Ulytau region, Yesset Baiken. It brings together production indicators, data on the location of personnel and equipment, video surveillance and the results of video analytics. The digital tools make it possible to compare planned and actual figures, spot deviations in time, analyse the causes of downtime, monitor the use of equipment and respond quickly to potentially dangerous situations.
"For us, digitalisation is above all a tool for improving production efficiency and worker safety. It is important not just to collect data, but to notice deviations in time, understand their causes and take the necessary measures. The Central Dispatch Centre will allow us to respond faster to emerging problems and prevent production risks," Oskenali said.
At the same time the company is developing digital safety control. At the Zhomart mine a stationary air and gas monitoring system with 40 posts is planned to continuously monitor the mine atmosphere; 62 gas analysers that warn workers about dangerous gases have already been installed on self-propelled mining machinery. Kazakhmys is also expanding the wireless network at its production sites, introducing a single access control system at 59 facilities in three regions and upgrading its computer equipment.
According to the company, the centre was created in the year of digitalisation declared by the head of state and is part of Kazakhmys's comprehensive digital transformation programme. "The head of state has set us the task of developing digitalisation in all sectors of the economy and in all regions of the country," Governor Yesset Baiken said.
What it means: A major mining company has brought data on its mines, concentrators, railway and safety together in a single dispatch centre, where deviations and dangerous situations are supposed to be spotted immediately, including with the help of artificial intelligence.
Who benefits: According to Oskenali, for the company digitalisation is above all a tool for efficiency and worker safety; the governor expects the results also to improve the wellbeing of miners and metallurgists. The cost of the project was not disclosed.
Background: Gas analysers on self-propelled mining machinery monitor dangerous gases in the mine and warn workers in good time.
List of sources used: Informburo, Metals & ESG Trends
Artificial intelligence was used in preparing this material.
