Speaking at the Melbourne Mining Club, Orica Managing Director and CEO Sanjeev Gandhi highlighted the company’s efforts to implement emerging technological capabilities into its solutions to drive more sustainable outcomes.
He noted that as mining conditions become more complex, the demand for automated, digital and artificial intelligence-based (AI) solutions that improve orebody understanding and enhance safety, productivity and sustainability outcomes across the mining value chain is rising.
Gandhi also mentioned the need to address risks related to inflation, saying it emerged as a key driver of volatility and uncertainty for the global economy.
He said productivity initiatives to mitigate inflammatory impacts must be prioritised and supported by effective policies and targeted government funding, balanced labour relations and tax incentives for innovation, research and development, and the adoption of digital and automation technologies.
Additionally, the company is working to make its global manufacturing and supply network as resilient as possible, including the sustainment of its domestic manufacturing facilities that produce critical input for the resource and agricultural industries.
In line with its supply chain efforts, the company said it welcomes the ongoing government consultation process and Future Gas Strategy, adding that it will continue to work with gas producers, consumers and the government on how to ensure reliable supplies and competitive pricing within the domestic industry.
Gandhi said the move is essential as it reassures the industry that Australia remains attractive for investment and capital allocation.
In line with its environmental, social and governance efforts, the company is working to lower customers’ operational footprint by implementing an explosives system that reduces nitrate leaching risks in surface blasting.
Orica is also working to improve mining efficiency, safety and recovery with the introduction of WebGen, the company’s patented wireless initiating system.
According to the company, the system allows users to physically disconnect the blasting and mining processes, allowing mining to occur independently of the blast.
