Mining’s old guard needs strong medicine
A new report details subpar investor returns in the mining industry over the last decade, particularly big cap diversified companies which have not adapted to new realities.
Addressing the 2012 Maptek North American Users Conference in Denver today, Colonel Mike Mullane explained how each individual has a unique perspective to contribute to the overall safety of their work environment.
Col. Mullane, retired astronaut, recounted his own near-death experience in a fighter jet, when he failed to speak up about an unsafe situation.
Colonel Mike Mullane
‘When safety is at risk, everybody counts, regardless of their position or length of service. Only when everyone’s input is available for analysis can a team be truly safe,’ said Mullane.
Under the banner of ‘Welcoming Innovation’, Maptek customers and staff are sharing their experiences in mine planning and design, laser scan survey, drill & blast and exploration. Less well known applications, including simulating volcanic eruptions for risk mitigation, and modelling structural controls on geothermal resources, will also be explored during the three-day event.
Mullane used rarely seen NASA video and slides during his talk and shared stories about how his experience has opened people’s eyes to the criticality of personal and leadership responsibility in hazardous environments.
Maptek understands the importance of safety in mining operations. Accurate planning allows miners to know what they will encounter when mining, and work more safely on a daily basis. Technology such as vehicle mounted laser scanners ensures that surveyor safety is not compromised, with the collateral benefit that operations are not delayed.
Conference attendees will go away with a greater awareness of the value of their contribution to innovation in the mining industry.
