In a perpetually challenging environment, rugged technology helps remove technical issues so miners can operate more efficiently and safely.

As technology evolves, it's become an increasingly essential piece of the puzzle for mining operations, driving improved accuracy, efficiency, and safety.  

Beyond the heavy machinery involved in mining, and the underlying operational software that businesses rely on, rugged solutions are a prime example of how technology continues to advance the industry. In particular, the increased adoption of rugged devices has accelerated digitalisation, while simultaneously streamlining time and resource-intensive activities such as mine mapping and logging.

One of the biggest benefits rugged devices afford is the capacity to operate under harsh conditions, which ensures mining technicians and support personnel can remain connected in the field, regardless of the environment. This can lead to increased productivity, with more time spent on mission-critical mining activities and less time spent addressing technical issues.

Devices built to withstand challenging conditions-and equipped with features such as GPS, long battery life, and high compatibility-help reduce human error and empower workers to operate with greater confidence, certainty, and precision. This leads to improved productivity and safety onsite.

The benefits of rugged technology in mining operations

The use of rugged technology in mining has two core applications: digitalisation, leading to improved productivity, and increased safety onsite.  

In terms of digitalisation, rugged technology has been a gamechanger for the industry, and its multiple applications across sites and activities can significantly improve worker productivity.

Using rugged tablets in the field, geologists can update the information they collect in real time and create essential geological models faster. Equipped with GPS capabilities, they can locate their findings quickly and accurately, reflecting them in the final mapping. Additionally, as rugged mobile devices can withstand harsh conditions, mining personnel can operate efficiently across field sites where temperatures can exceed 50°C, while supported by strong connectivity and geolocation capabilities. Rugged devices are also purpose-built with security at their core, ensuring that mining personnel remain connected even in isolated, harsh environments, without compromising on site or organisational security.

Rugged devices that use hot-swappable batteries that cut out downtime have also made a big difference. Where non-rugged equipment is prone to overheating, and needs recharging after a maximum of six hours, purpose-built rugged devices deliver continuous and safe operation throughout a shift, which often involves being stationed in a remote area. They are also easy to use in various weather conditions with the aid of a digital pen.

By facilitating the digitalisation of mining, and prioritising improved productivity and security, rugged technology can make mining shifts, as well as the extensive exploration and mapping that geologists perform, more manageable.

Beyond digitalisation, rugged devices are also essential in helping improve site safety for mining technicians and supporting personnel.

Emesent, an innovative mapping specialist, depends on rugged devices to carry out important work. The company uses drones to scan the environment within a mine using a smart mobile scanning application, Hovermap. Its goal is to improve efficiency, safety, and operational insights in this challenging and potentially dangerous environment.  

Mining drone operation requires a fully-rugged terminal that is lightweight and easy to carry as well as fortified for explosive atmospheres. Emesent conducts its work using a rugged laptop-tablet hybrid that acts as a drone control platform. A purpose-built device that weighs just 2.1 kilograms, it ensures it doesn't create challenges for users carrying the device around for extended periods of time. Additionally, it is drop-resistant, provides uninterrupted battery power, and has a waterproof keyboard, which means that it can be used in a myriad of conditions, ensuring users remain connected and capable in a mix of harsh environments. Red backlight functionality also lets users type accurately in dim conditions.

Leveraging rugged technology with purposeful features has helped Emesent work more effectively and safely. Crucially, it has done so in a way that is user-friendly and lets workers focus on their work with peace of mind.  

Technology, and rugged technology in particular, will continue to advance the mining industry. While the reality is that the environment that miners operate in will always be challenging and high-risk, with the right technology, it will become less so.