Background
The welcome growth in mining-related events has centred on critical minerals, net zero initiatives and sustainability. Indeed, the last MTG conference in 2021, Legacies of Mineral Extraction and Sustainability Opportunities, contained many such elements.
Whilst these remain relevant, the MTG intends to switch the focus on to its main identity, that of mining technology. Emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI) applications feature prominently in the knowledge and experience of new members joining IOM3. Furthermore, mining is now more prominent in the UK media than it has been in decades, regularly featuring for example in BBC programming.
This latest MTG conference has the potential to build on those trends for the benefit of its members in IOM3 and the future of UK mining. The latter is likely to be shaped by a range of factors, including sustainable mining practices, regulatory changes, public and stakeholder opinion, the war for talent, strategic capabilities in mineral supply and the demand for materials.
Aims & Objectives
The MTG committee feel that there is a need to highlight the innovative technological advances that are being made to develop modern mining techniques at every step of the mining lifecycle.
The conference will explore how advances in technology such as automation, extended reality and the use of artificial intelligence could lead to improvements across the mining and minerals sectors. This will be essential if mining is to gain wider acceptance.
By examining the interactions between mining technology and mineral supply the conference will aim to inform how standards are being raised in mining and about the essential contribution to society from mining. The projected growth in demand for minerals, metals and downstream materials for future energy and fuel transitions is well-documented.
The UK is not exceptional and has a share of the mining responsibility to use its own indigenous resources. It is therefore another key aim of the conference to promote the transfer of knowledge and support and disseminate mining education, research and professional development in order to attract more people into the sector. The MTG is particularly excited about the prospect of demo or training sessions on AI applications in mining.