Towards a Better Understanding of the Key Elements Driving the Innovativeness of the Mineral Resources Industry: A Literature Review

Abstract

It is perceived by a wide sphere of stakeholders, including the public, that the Mineral Resources (MR) industry is slow to adapt to the increasing challenges it faces. Technologies like advanced automation and the "internet of things", could already have significantly improved the operating practices and the overall performance of the industry. There is a need for research on how the MR industry can accelerate innovation processes to improve its performance. This paper aims to share insight into the validity of these perceptions, the uniqueness of the challenges the industry faces and to identify the key elements that must be addressed to improve the innovative capacity of the industry. Some industry successes in technology development and innovation are analyzed and lessons from these successes are shared. It is clear from the literature that various informed parties do agree that the MR industry underperform with relation to innovation. Academic studies, reports from managing consulting firms and environmental, social and corporate governance reports confirm this. The literature study also confirms that there are unique features inherent to this industry constraining innovation. Features such as the static nature of ore deposits that results in relatively fixed mine layouts and exploitation plans, large capital requirements, long term supply contracts and extended mine development and technology development cycles of up to ten years. The generic elements for successful innovation and its interdependencies are determined and reflected in the paper. The innovation management practices of the MR industry have been studied and the analysis thereof is discussed. A comparison was drawn between generic innovation management elements and the MR industry practices. The gaps were identified and are discussed as the outcome of this paper. This literature study will form the basis of a follow-up study to develop a comprehensive and integrated innovation management framework for the Minerals Resources industry.