Modernisation
Digitalisation and decarbonisation drive the future of mining, and Gold Fields is committed to developing digitally connected, safer mines with a zero-carbon footprint. As part of our new Group strategy, we integrated our Modernisation Strategy into our asset optimisation initiatives.
To deploy the new Group strategy, we developed integrated asset optimisation and modernisation charters. This requires an asset optimisation framework that outlines the structures, skills and culture required to enable the strategy. In 2022, we selected BCG as external consultancy to develop this framework. Once it is completed, scheduled for Q3 2023, we will re-evaluate our Modernisation Strategy to ensure it aligns with the new framework.
Our current Modernisation Strategy is based on a portfolio management approach and ensures we progress towards the Gold Fields Mine of the Future through three maturity horizons. We made significant progress in 2022, with some operations transitioning to Horizon 2 and exploring Horizon 3 opportunities.
Many of our modernisation initiatives have significant safety and health benefits for our workforce, including collision avoidance and awareness in vehicles, teleremote operations, and trialling underground zero-emission vehicles. See the infographic below for an overview of the strategy and our key initiatives supporting it.
In terms of decarbonisation, we have several initiatives in place to achieve our commitment to reducing Gold Fields' carbon footprint. Some of our key decarbonisation initiatives are:
- Battery electric vehicles (BEV): We are trialling numerous BEV equipment, including tool carriers and underground trucks, loaders and light vehicles within Australia operations in partnership with, technology suppliers and original equipment manufacturer (OEM)
- Diesel electric vehicles: We have an agreement with Epiroc, an OEM, to develop a diesel electric MT65 truck; we aim to trial the prototype at Granny Smith in 2024
- Microgrid development: We are completing several wind and battery reviews and studies at our mines in Australia in addition to their current solar and wind farms. At South Deep, we are exploring wind energy technology in addition to solar
- Industry collaboration: We are working with industry working groups such as ICMM's Cleaner Safer Vehicle initiative, Charge On Innovation Challenge and The Electric Mine Consortium to accelerate implementation of greener, safer vehicles for the industry
- Energy management (ISO 50001): Regional energy champions continue to implement projects to reduce energy-related emissions by using new and existing technologies. All our mines will be certified to the ISO 50001 standard by end-2023, which provides a practical management system to optimise energy use
GOLD FIELDS' MODERNISATION STRATEGY
Horizon 1
Foundational phase
Visualises operations through real-time data and insights to plan the approach
for Horizons 2 and 3
Key initiatives
Integrated operating centres:
- In place at South Deep, Granny Smith and Cerro Corona; in the design phase at St Ives
- First remote operating centre in place at Salares Norte to connect the mine with the head office in Santiago
Wireless network deployments:
- Installing Mesh (Wi-Fi) and LTE (4G) in our open-pit mines in Australia
- Upgrading Tarkwa's wireless network to a fluid mesh network as the existing networks have become obsolete
- Growing our new-generation wireless networks (Wi-Fi) at our underground mines
- Extended LTE (4G) networks into the working areas at Granny Smith, enabling a map deployment equivalent to Google Maps for underground
Data reporting and insights:
- Implementing data collection platforms at our sites to enable automated reporting and insights, including Trimble Connected Mine (a platform that combines data from different sources to produce a central, trusted source of information for productivity, reducing risk and reliable planning)
Mobile devices:
- Implementing handheld mobile devices for tasks like booking overtime and digitally plotting production data across sites
Fatigue management systems:
- Trialling underground and open-pit fatigue management systems within the Australian operations, with good success on surface, but more work needed underground
- Progressing well on South Deep's collision avoidance programme in line with new government regulations
- Fully integrated Damang's Hexagon Fatigue management into the business with wellness reviews conducted on employees with chronic fatigue
Horizon 2
Transformational phase
Integrates and optimises processes and systems over a three to seven-year period, working towards Horizon 3
Horizon 3
Mine-of-the-Future phase
Focuses on the Gold Fields Mine of the Future to deliver the future state of the Group's mines
Key initiatives
Teleremote operations:
- Implementing teleremote solutions in underground loaders at South Deep in line with mine design changes
Integrated data platforms:
- Deploying and commissioning an integrated mine operations data platform at Granny Smith in collaboration with the ERDi 4.0 test lab based on manufacturing ISA 95 standards. The ERDi is Australia's official centre of excellence for Industry 4.0 in the energy and resources sector
- Planning for deployment of the integrated mine operations data platform at St Ives Invincible in 2024, following success at Granny Smith
Equipment automation:
- Developing our first underground automated truck, which is scheduled to be trialled at Granny Smith in H2 2023. The purpose of this trial is to validate autonomous truck haulage over shift change when the mine is evacuated for blasting
- In Australia, we are collaborating with METS Ignited and a number of technology providers to develop an automated platform to enable autonomous hole cleaning, preparation and surveying, with the long-term goal of enabling autonomous charging and scaling