Reliance on older technologies holding mining industry back from modernisation

For mining to effectively move towards modernisation, digitalisation and mechanisation requires “radical solutions” and a proverbial leap of faith in new technology and techniques that are able to transform the industry into a more lucrative and efficient one, says Anglo American subsidiary Kumba Iron Ore CEO Themba Mkhwanazi. Speaking at mining networking platform, Africa Mining Network, held at the Wanderers Club, in Illovo, on Wednesday evening, he said that, to date, modernisation and the incorporation of new innovations has been undertaken on a mostly small incremental basis in what he described as a "general fear of the unknown" and too heavy a reliance on existing methods and technology that worked sufficiently but only during the boom years.