Digitalization in mining and the rise of the urban miner

Abstract

Based on a review of literature this paper summarizes the main spatial outcomes of digitalization in the mining sector. New digitalization technologies and processes allow increasingly greater locational independence of mining operations from their resource locations and this is creating a new geography of mining. Mine workers traditionally lived in towns near the resource, but today many work at a distance from the resource and may never need to access the mine itself. These changes have significant implications for workers, their families and their communities, and for mine operators and equipment and technology suppliers to the sector. Anticipating and managing these changes is essential if the benefits and costs of mining are to be shared equitably amongst those affected. If not, and mining regions feel that they are the losers in this relationship, they may withdraw support for development and so disrupt mining activity. This paper explores the key characteristics of this new geography and its implications and some of the options to address the challenges presented.