Schneider, AVEVA combine technological solutions for mining industry

Mining industry limited by legacy infrastructure, data inadequacies, and piecemeal optimisation programmes, says Martin Provencher

Schneider Electric and industrial software leader AVEVA have agreed to combine technological solutions to help the mining industry, to drive digital transformation and sustainability.
The partnership will see technology offerings combined to support sustainability initiatives at mining companies.
The two companies will provide the tools organisations need to make more strategic choices, based on sound advice focused on sustainability.
AVEVA and Schneider Electric also recently sponsored an IDC Technology Spotlight, titled "Transitioning to Sustainable Mining, Minerals and Metals Practices".
During the event, the top three market pressures driving the sustainability agendas of mining and metals organisations were highlighted as: a need to improve brand equity, reduce the risk of an adverse event, and ensure compliance with current and future regulations.
IDC Technology Spotlight research also confirms that the sector continues to face criticism and pressure for not taking the lead in sustainability previously. However, platforms that include additional analytics capabilities allow for improved operational efficiencies while enhancing visibility into ongoing changes.
Martin Provencher, industry principal of Mining, Metals and Materials at AVEVA, said, "Although the benefits of digital transformation are crystal clear, the mining industry has so far been limited by legacy infrastructure, data inadequacies, and piecemeal optimisation programmes."
"Increasingly virulent cyberattacks and a growing mandate for decarbonised minerals have further emphasised the importance of having high data availability and embracing a secure, cloud-first approach to visualise and contextualise enterprise-wide processes across global operations," he added, "The combination of Schneider Electric's energy management solutions, automation systems and services, and AVEVA's Digital Mining Transformation solutions, enable our customers to transform conventional mining operations into intelligent, resilient, and sustainable undertakings."
For his part, David Willick, Vice President of North America, Mining and Minerals at Schneider Electric, said that digitally enabled operations achieve sustainability in the organisation. This takes place by integrating capabilities, process intelligence, and controls together, adding that digital transformation represents a critical step for the resource sector.