The pace of technological change has accelerated massively in recent years, and the mining sector stands to benefit. Mining operators see the opportunity to integrate scientific data for all processes, starting in the field and following the raw material through the lab and to its final stage.
But before an organization takes up the task of digitally transforming its business, leaders need to know the kind of technology that is available and how it can be leveraged to help make informed decisions fast and ensure the data is available and accessible to the people who need it. Digital transformation is about applying the right technology to make processes more agile, improving performance and controlling costs.
Rio Tinto Bell Bay Aluminium is leading the way in mining data management with Thermo Scientific™ SampleManager LIMS™ software. Rio Tinto is the largest integrated producer of aluminium, bauxite and alumina in Australia. Australia is one of the top 5 producers of aluminum in the world, and Bell Bay Aluminium produces approximately 190,000 tons of aluminum per year.
Operating for more than 65 years, Bell Bay Aluminium holds a unique place in Australian and Tasmanian history. Bell Bay Aluminium was the first aluminium smelter in the Southern Hemisphere. Operations began as joint venture between the two governments, mainly to overcome the difficulties of importing aluminum during wartime. Today, its main products include ingot, rolling block and t-bar.
Bell Bay Aluminium first deployed SampleManager LIMS software in 1996. While many of the interfaces that were built then still work today, evolving needs and technology provided opportunities to enhance this implementation. SampleManager LIMS software is used to connect their instruments to test processes and environmental samples, intermediate process samples and soluble products. It connects the lab data to the rest of the plant and it leads to making informed product release decisions. Having a digital infrastructure to support its operations has also helped Bell Bay Aluminium adapt and respond to changes in the environmental regulations and other business challenges. Achieving environmental compliance is particularly complex in Australia due to strict local, national, and international regulations.
Digital transformation in three steps
While the idea of transforming a business can be daunting, Thermo Fisher Scientific is helping companies break it down into three straight-forward and steps. The first (and most critical) step is to connect everything that has value. By connecting people, equipment, consumables, systems and data, you make data available when and where it is needed.
The second step is providing end-to-end workflows. With this step in mind, laboratories use SampleManager LIMS software to connect their processes and their data, making data more available using digital technology to optimize processes.
The third and final step is advanced analytics. Once data is connected and workflows optimized, the data is accessible for advanced data analytics and AI solutions. This enables the business to look at data in new and exciting ways and make decisions based on these insights. Digital transformation isn’t about collecting more data, it’s taking advantage of the data that you are collecting.
Watch the webcast to learn more
To learn more about how SampleManager LIMS software is helping drive digital transformation at Bell Bay Aluminium, you can watch the webcast replay on demand. You can also visit our website for more information about our digital solutions and resources for mining and metals manufacturing.
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