The Wits Tshimologong Digital Innovation Precinct will host the Mine.D: Zero Harm digitally-inspired hackathon.
The hackathon, which is in partnership with the Research Institute for Innovation and Sustainability, will focus on finding solutions for the health and safety space of the mining sector. The solutions need to be designed with a focus on mixed reality and the Internet of things (IOT).
"While digital disruption has largely been consumer-facing, manufacturing industries and natural resource sectors are starting look to technology to assist with improvements and innovative ways to move the industries forward," says Lesley Donna Williams, newly-appointed CEO of Tshimologong Precinct.
"The next wave of growth within the mining sector will be enabled by technology. There is a significant role for technology to play within the mining sector. Looking at aspects of augmented reality, virtual reality and IOT alone can bring massive benefit to mines by eliminating time wasted, improving decision-making, and automating approaches and procedures. This, in turn, improves the quality of the work that people do," says Williams.
The South African mining industry, which once contributed a fifth of the gross domestic product, only contributed 12.8% during the first quarter of 2017. The sector is navigating a difficult time amid regulatory uncertainty and a declining economy.
According to Teddy Daka, group CEO of digital technology group Ansys, mining companies need to rethink their digital strategies in order to bypass the market volatility.
"Investors are not investing, but mines have to find a way of being safer, more productive as well as reduce costs. Mining companies must leverage digital tools and capabilities to reach new levels of performance across the mining value chain."
Ansys is a diversified digital technology group that develops solutions for various industries, including mining.
Similarly, David Cook, CEO of RISS, says unless today's mining houses start thinking deeply about professionalising their innovation functions, they will not all live through this time.
"Mining is not going away. We have too much of a need for minerals, but the mining companies of today are positioning themselves to be perfectly disrupted by new technologies, consumer engagements and business models by not innovating. Through a collaborative approach like Mine.D, we want to look at how digital technology can be embedded into current processes to affect a better outcome for all involved."
Mine.D is open to strategists, technology entrepreneurs, innovators, developers and software engineers, and will take place from 3 to 5 November at the Tshimologong Precinct in Braamfontein, Johannesburg. The top three teams will stand a chance of winning various prizes.
Interested parties can enter here.
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