The UK mining industry is at a crossroads, faced with increasingly stringent environmental and social regulations. As the pressure to operate more sustainably intensifies, companies must not only comply with these new requirements, but also maintain their competitiveness in an ever-changing global market.
In 2024, the UK is strengthening its environmental regulations, affecting various sectors, including computer-aided maintenance management (CMMS). CMMS is a system for planning, monitoring and managing the maintenance of equipment and infrastructure. Companies now need to incorporate advanced technologies to monitor and reduce their environmental impact. For example, the use of IoT sensors and real-time data management systems can help to better control emissions and ensure more sustainable operations. (source: rbcwealthmanagement.com).
The current economic context in the UK shows an exit from recession with moderate economic growth. GDP growth in 2024 has been revised upwards from 0.4% in January to 0.9% in July. This improvement is supported by a fall in inflation, which has returned to the Bank of England’s 2% target (source: parliament.uk).
Against this backdrop, the UK mining industry faces a major challenge: how to meet compliance requirements while remaining competitive in the global marketplace? Mining companies have to navigate an uncertain economic environment while adapting to new regulations. This requires significant investment in computer-aided maintenance management (CMMS) technologies to improve operational efficiency and reduce costs. The adoption of innovative technologies, such as automation and renewable energies, is crucial to meeting current and future challenges.
These developments show that CMMS plays a crucial role in the transition to a more responsible and sustainable mining industry in the UK. Companies that successfully integrate these technologies will be better placed to meet regulatory requirements and stakeholder expectations.
Altair CMMS: the essential solution to meet the challenges of the British mining industry.
The UK mining industry, with its growing environmental and social compliance challenges, must navigate a complex landscape while remaining competitive on a global scale. To achieve this objective, the integration of advanced solutions such as computer-aided maintenance management (CMMS) is crucial. Among the solutions available, Altair, a leader in the field of CMMS, stands out for its ability to respond effectively to the specific challenges of the mining industry.
The challenges facing the British mining industry: A changing environment
Environmental and social regulations
The UK imposes strict environmental standards on the mining industry, particularly in terms of emissions and waste management. These regulations aim to minimise the environmental impact of mining, while ensuring the protection of workers and local communities.
These regulations cover a number of aspects, including
- Emissions management : Mining companies must comply with strict limits on emissions of air pollutants, including greenhouse gases.
- Waste management : Mining waste must be managed in such a way as to avoid soil and water contamination. This includes measures for the safe treatment and storage of waste (source: climate-wise.com).
- Environmental permits: Mining activities require environmental permits, which impose specific conditions to protect the environment.
These regulations aim to reduce the negative impact of mining on the environment and promote sustainable practices.
The UK mining industry must comply with strict limits on emissions of air pollutants, including greenhouse gases. The regulations impose specific measures to monitor and reduce emissions, in order to limit their impact on the environment.
To respond effectively to these requirements, Altair CMMS is a key solution:
- Emissions monitoring and reporting : Altair CMMS offers modules dedicated to emissions management, enabling continuous monitoring and accurate documentation of emission levels. Integrated dashboards provide an overview of emissions, making it easier to comply with regulatory limits.
- Preventive maintenance planning: The software allows you to plan and carry out preventive maintenance tasks for emission control equipment such as particulate filters and gas capture systems. This ensures that they operate smoothly and at maximum efficiency, reducing the risk of emissions limits being exceeded.
- Alert management and compliance: If high emission levels are detected, Altair CMMS sends automatic alerts to the teams responsible. These alerts enable rapid intervention to rectify problems and avoid potential breaches of regulations.
Worker safety in British mines
Safety is a priority in the mining industry, where accidents can have serious consequences. Companies must not only comply with safety standards, but also manage incidents effectively to minimise production interruptions.
The challenge of environmental compliance: The case of the Caphouse mine
The National Coal Mining Museum, which operates the Caphouse mine in Yorkshire, faced major challenges in terms of environmental compliance. Coal extraction leads to methane emissions and waste water management, both of which are crucial to compliance with UK regulations.
By integrating a CMMS, the Caphouse mine can effectively automate the management of its emissions and wastewater treatment equipment. This ensures ongoing compliance with UK environmental standards. The detailed dashboards and reports generated by the system facilitate audits and minimise the risk of non-compliance, ensuring rigorous and transparent management of regulatory requirements.
Optimising safety and maintenance: the case of the Boulby mine
The Boulby mine, located in North Yorkshire, mines potash and polyhalite ores. The management of critical equipment is vital for the safety of workers, including ventilation systems and extraction machinery. By adopting CMMS, the mine can improve the management of its maintenance operations.
Cost and inventory management: the case of the South Crofty mine
The South Crofty mine in Cornwall, which specialises in tin, recently restarted operations. Cost and inventory management are crucial for this company in the recovery phase.
Altair CMMS could enable the South Crofty mine to centralise the management of its stocks and purchases, accessible via the mobile application, which is crucial for real-time management in the field. This will reduce the costs associated with stock-outs and improve supply efficiency.
Improving mine equipment management with CMMS and BIM
In addition, the BIM (Building Information Modelling) module integrated into Altair’s CMMS (Computerised Maintenance Management System) offers advanced functionalities to improve the management of equipment in UK mines. Thanks to the 3D visualisation of installations, maintenance teams benefit from an accurate and detailed representation of the entire mine site. This 3D visualisation enables technicians to quickly locate faulty equipment by consulting interactive models, which surpasses traditional methods based solely on 2D plans or text descriptions.
This three-dimensional visualisation capability makes it easier not only to identify problems, but also to plan interventions. Technicians can plan their actions taking into account the exact layout of equipment and potential obstacles, making interventions faster and more efficient. This approach reduces the risks associated with repairs and improves safety in the field, a crucial aspect in mining environments, where safety standards are strict.
As a result, the integration of BIM and Altair’s CMMS enables equipment to be managed more accurately and quickly, optimising the productivity of mining operations. Reducing downtime and improving the efficiency of repairs gives the UK mining industry a competitive advantage. By adopting these advanced technologies, they can not only strengthen their compliance with stringent regulations, but also improve their operational efficiency and overall safety.
Altair mobile CMMS: a response tailored to needs in the field
Optimisation and adaptability for the mining industry
Altair’s mobile application has been carefully designed to provide a smooth and efficient experience on a wide range of devices, including smartphones, tablets and rugged terminals. The latter are specially designed to withstand the extreme conditions of mining environments, such as dust, humidity and high temperatures.
As well as being compatible with Android and iOS operating systems, the app also has ATEX approval, ensuring it can be used safely in areas at risk of explosion. This certification ensures that the equipment used meets the rigorous safety standards required in hazardous environments, such as underground mines.
Optimised user experience
Let’s take the example of a maintenance team working on a mining site in Yorkshire. The technicians use rugged tablets to access Altair’s mobile application. Thanks to an intuitive and responsive interface, they can quickly consult equipment maintenance histories, plan interventions and check the spare parts required. In the event of an unexpected breakdown, a technician can use the tablet to scan a barcode on faulty equipment, instantly access its maintenance history, and place parts orders directly from the field.
Real-time operations management
Let’s imagine a scenario where an underground mine uses rugged smartphones to monitor working conditions. When an incident occurs, a technician uses his smartphone to enter the details of the fault into the mobile application, even several kilometres underground where connectivity is limited. The application, optimised for offline operation, stores data locally and synchronises it automatically as soon as the connection is re-established. This enables the maintenance team to react immediately to problems, even in the most isolated environments.
To deepen your understanding of the subject, we invite you to read our previous article on the mining industry. There you will find additional information and detailed analyses that will enrich your perspective on this sector. Click here to access the article.
To deepen your understanding of the subject, we invite you to read our previous article on the mining industry. There you will find additional information and detailed analyses that will enrich your perspective on this sector. Click here to access the article.
Intuitive, responsive interface
Altair’s mobile application is specially designed to meet the demanding conditions of the mining sector, particularly for a maintenance team operating in an open-cast mine. Thanks to its intuitive interface, compatible with a range of rugged devices, it optimises the management of maintenance operations. This enables teams in the field to work more efficiently and react quickly to unforeseen events.
Unlimited access for mining operations
One of the key benefits of the Altair mobile application is its ability to operate even in the absence of a network connection. This is particularly valuable in underground environments or remote areas where connectivity may be limited or non-existent. By enabling users to continue to access essential information and carry out critical work without interruption, Altair ensures continuity of operations, reducing the risk of downtime and increasing the overall efficiency of maintenance teams.
Optimum compatibility and connectivity
Altair Mobile is designed to be compatible with a wide range of connectivity technologies, including WiFi, GPRS, 3G and 4G. This multi-network compatibility ensures that mining teams, whether on remote or underground sites, always have access to the latest information and essential CMMS functionality. Optimum connectivity ensures that data is synchronised in real time, which is crucial for proactive equipment management and rapid incident response, regardless of the network available on site.
Tailor-made integration for sustainable mining efficiency
Seamless integration for centralised management
Thanks to its Full Web technology, Altair CMMS integrates seamlessly with existing information systems such as ERP, CRM and CAPM. This compatibility enables centralised management of data and operations, eliminating information silos and facilitating communication between different branches of the company. For large mining companies, where coordination between several departments is crucial, this integration guarantees greater operational efficiency and faster decision-making based on unified data.
Customised support for a scalable solution
DSD System offers tailor-made support, covering the entire process from the analysis of the company’s specific needs to the implementation of the solution and post-deployment monitoring. This approach ensures that each Altair CMMS solution is perfectly tailored to the unique requirements of UK mining companies. In addition, DSD System is committed to supporting the changing needs of the business, ensuring that the CMMS solution remains effective and relevant over the long term, in the face of future technological and operational challenges.
Conclusion: Our Altair CMMS, a pillar for the future of the British mining industry
The UK mining industry is at a critical juncture, where compliance with stringent environmental and social regulations is combined with the need to remain competitive in the global marketplace. In this complex environment, the adoption of advanced technologies, such as Altair’s CMMS, is no longer just an asset, but a necessity.
Altair’s CMMS is proving to be a strategic solution for meeting the demands of sustainability and operational efficiency. By integrating seamlessly with existing systems, it enables mining operations to be managed centrally and seamlessly. This integration is not limited to simple technological alignment, but is accompanied by customised support from DSD System, guaranteeing precise adaptation to the specific needs of each mining company.
The impact of CMMS goes far beyond simply managing operations. It plays a crucial role in the transition to more responsible mining, facilitating compliance with environmental standards and improving site safety. Examples from mines such as Caphouse, Boulby and South Crofty illustrate how this technology can turn challenges into opportunities, optimising cost management, worker safety and environmental compliance.
At a time when the industry must not only adapt to increasingly stringent regulations, but also anticipate future developments, Altair is the partner of choice. By adopting this solution, UK mining companies are positioning themselves not only to meet today’s challenges, but also to seize long-term growth opportunities, while contributing to a more sustainable future for the sector.
For more information about Altair CMMS and DSD System, contact us!
