ZAMBIA’S Mining industry is ready for the digital age.
The Information and Communications Technology Association of Zambia (ICTAZ) President Dr Clement Sinyangwe says that the country has the competence, skills and motivation to implement a digital mining industry.
He was speaking at the 2024 Huawei BCX Mining Forum on Digital Transformation and Solutions in Kitwe that aimed to unveil and discuss groundbreaking digital solutions specifically designed to meet the unique challenges of the mining industry in Zambia.
“As ICTAZ, we are ready to collaborate with the Ministry of Mines and Mineral Development and Zambia Chamber of Mines to popularise the advancement of mining technology,” he said.
Government, through the Ministry of Mines and Mineral Development has pledged commitment to ensure Zambia remains at the forefront of technological advancement.
They commended BCX Zambia and Huawei for organizing the mining forum as the adoption of digital technologies can lead to increased productivity, enhanced safety and more sustainable mining practices.
Dr Sinyangwe called on participants to commit to technology that promotes an ethical and sustainable mining industry. Highlighting the fact that ICTAZ as a professional body was tasked with the mandate to ensure technology caused no harm which required collaboration, compliance, development, and research.
“With the revived global demand of copper for renewable energy, it is crucial for Zambia to stay abreast of technology that will drive and sustain the sector. The Zambian government, with the ambitious plan to quadruple copper output to 3 million tonnes by 2031, is highly expectant of success,” he said.
Dr Sinyangwe explained that the mining sector now extended beyond the Copperbelt to almost 6 provinces and with the massive investments it was possible to create SMART mines that had fully integrated new technology.
“Apart from the risks of flooding, cave-ins and blasting there are health and environmental issues related to mining that can be addressed with the introduction of automation and digital technology,” he said.
“As we interrogate the transformation of the mining industry, we are looking at three key areas: productivity, safety, and sustainability.”
Also in attendance was the ICTAZ Chairperson Northern Region Mutembo Mpengula.
acknowledge the support of the mining firms such as First Quantum Minerals, ZCCM-IH, Kagem and Lubambe Copper Mine, who have supported ICTAZ and the development of their IT staff.
He said that through professional affiliation, ICTAZ was able to lobby policy makers to create an enabling environment for members and their organisations to deploy new technologies.
Speaking at the same event, Hannah Han Regional Director Huawei Enterprise Business Group, Sub Sahara Africa stated that Zambia held great potential in terms of digitizing the mining industry.
Huawei is the leading provider of ICT Infrastructure and Smart devices and has offices in over 170 countries deployed in various industries. They work with various industries and Governments to advance technology as evidenced by the deployment of the first-ever cloud computing solution in Africa in 2019.
Ms Han said the transition from an industrial economy to a digital one would see many changes in operations.
Advancements in technology has seen higher demand for connectivity, which Huawei can support, as they have previously established infrastructure in the country.
And BCX Executive Mpho Neville Mothapo said he was happy to return to Zambia following last year’s Digital Government Africa forum that saw the entire Africa technology ecosystem convene in Zambia. The BCX Huawei Mining Forum was an opportunity to now engage in a key area that is set to see growth.
He pointed out that the mining sector required an evolved method of conducting business.
“We have observed four major trends in the mining industry: Drones, Collision Avoidance Systems, Artificial Twinning and Health & Safety. We no longer need to put humans in dangerous places, we are able to deploy artificial intelligence to collect data, analyze data, conduct operations and schedule interventions,” he said.
The establishment of SMART Mines is expected to drive the next generation of clean, green and efficient mines.
