The adoption of new technology, aimed at improving operational efficiency and lowering costs, is driving the future of the resources sector globally. However, South Africa’s deep-level underground platinum and gold mining sectors, with their unique challenges, have proven to be slower in adopting new technologies. McKinsey partner and basic materials, digital and analytics global leader Richard Sellschop tells Mining Weekly that bulk commodity openpit miners in iron-ore and coal have met with significant success in increasing their productivity and maintaining profit margins through the adoption of new technologies.
