IT in Manufacturing


The road to decarbonisation in mining

July 2025 IT in Manufacturing

The mining industry is a large contributor in global carbon emissions, and ABB’s eMine is at the forefront of efforts to drive the sector’s decarbonisation. Technology is a nexus point in the future of mining. On top of the productivity benefits, the future workforce will not just be tech-savvy but will have a tech-driven education. Using AI tools will be second nature and expectations of automation will be at an all-time high. ABB’s research indicates that 68% of mining executives see technology as a key driver. ABB recently released a report entitled ‘Mining’s Moment: The Pathway for Urgent Real Progress in Responsible Mining’.

Navigating the complexities of mining transformation is no mean feat. There are several challenges to the change process, including capital investment, inadequate infrastructure and commodity price volatility. The concept of wholesale change can be overwhelming, often resulting in no action being taken.

The industry is moving towards decarbonisation through the biggest emitter in mining- the vehicles. By collaborating with partners whose expertise includes the electrification of mining vehicles, many mining companies are finding the transition to be much easier than expected, with multiple returns.

As well as helping to reduce CO2 emissions, they are seeing higher speed on the grade and reduced maintenance costs. With investment and risk aversion being barriers, electrification is an ideal entry point to make real progress, with experts in the field offering collaborative solutions.

Making the switch to electric-powered vehicles is one piece of the puzzle. Taking a broader view, advances in automation are also playing a major part in the drive towards sustainability. Automation helps improve safety by taking direct human interaction out of the equation, putting machines rather than people in high-risk environments. It can also pay for itself in the long term by saving energy and costs. One area where automation can make a significant difference to mining is ventilation.

By reducing the need for diesel-powered machinery and integrating renewable energy sources, eMine enables mining companies to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions significantly. This shift is essential in meeting global climate targets, as mining processes are responsible for a substantial portion of industrial emissions. In addition, eMine contributes to the energy transition by enabling mining operations to operate more sustainably, leveraging electrification and renewable energy to power operations while reducing the industry’s dependency on fossil fuels.

For more information contact Martin Van Zyl, ABB, +27 10 202 5612, [email protected], www.abb.com/za




Share this article:
Share via emailShare via LinkedInPrint this page

Further reading:

Prefabricated data centres for an AI-focused future at the edge
Schneider Electric South Africa IT in Manufacturing
As AI technologies continue to advance, data centres are being pushed to the edge, reshaping their operations to meet daily demands. To meet the relentless demands of AI workloads at the edge, prefabricated data centre solutions offer a scalable, efficient and fast alternative to traditional builds.

Read more...
Quantum computing and its impact on data security: a double-edged sword for the digital age
IT in Manufacturing
Quantum computing is poised to redefine the boundaries of data security, offering groundbreaking solutions while threatening modern encryption’s foundations. For third-party IT providers, this duality presents both a challenge and an opportunity to lead organisations through one of the most significant technological transitions in decades.

Read more...
Next-generation road-legal race car.
Siemens South Africa IT in Manufacturing
Siemens Digital Industries Software has announced that Briggs Automotive Company (BAC) will move to the Siemens Xcelerator portfolio of industry software and use it to develop the next generation of its single-seater road-legal race car, Mono.

Read more...
Cybersecurity at a crossroads
IT in Manufacturing
here’s a growing unease in boardrooms, data centres and cabinet offices across South Africa. It’s not just about economic headwinds or political uncertainty, it’s about something quieter, more technical and yet just as dangerous - the rising tide of cyber threats.

Read more...
Enabling a sustainable industrial organisation
IT in Manufacturing
This article explains the top sustainability trends and key actions that you can leverage to become a more sustainable organisation.

Read more...
Navigating discrete manufacturing in South Africa through digitalisation
IT in Manufacturing
South Africa’s discrete manufacturing sector faces mounting pressure from global competition, fragmented supply chains and outdated infrastructure. In this complex environment, digitalisation is a critical lever for survival, resilience and growth.

Read more...
Africa’s pragmatic approach to AI and how data centres are enabling it
Schneider Electric South Africa IT in Manufacturing
In Africa, the current AI momentum is driven by a fundamental need, building a resilient digital infrastructure that addresses the real-world challenges of the continent’s communities.

Read more...
World first simulation of error-correctable quantum computers
IT in Manufacturing
Quantum computers still face a major hurdle on their pathway to practical use cases, their limited ability to correct the arising computational errors. In a world first, researchers from Chalmers University of Technology in Sweden have unveiled a method for simulating specific types of error-corrected quantum computations.

Read more...
Platform to accelerate supply chain decarbonisation
Schneider Electric South Africa IT in Manufacturing
Schneider Electric has launched Zeigo Hub by Schneider Electric, a powerful new digital platform designed to help organisations decarbonise their supply chains at scale.

Read more...
Future-ready data centres
IT in Manufacturing
The white paper ‘Future-Ready Data Centres’ by Black & Veatch outlines how integrating sustainable design principles not only helps meet ESG goals but also ensures reliability, operational efficiency and business continuity in the face of climate change and growing digital demand.

Read more...









While every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the information contained herein, the publisher and its agents cannot be held responsible for any errors contained, or any loss incurred as a result. Articles published do not necessarily reflect the views of the publishers. The editor reserves the right to alter or cut copy. Articles submitted are deemed to have been cleared for publication. Advertisements and company contact details are published as provided by the advertiser. Technews Publishing (Pty) Ltd cannot be held responsible for the accuracy or veracity of supplied material.




© Technews Publishing (Pty) Ltd | All Rights Reserved