2015 Year 3 In the government work report, Premier Li Keqiang proposed: “ Internet +” The action plan marks the official integration of a development approach centered on the application of internet technology into the economic framework, a milestone achievement. In recent years, the rapid growth of the internet has been profoundly transforming traditional industrial ecosystems, creating ever-increasing opportunities for change in conventional industries. — Baidu CEO According to Robin Li, every industry is at the cusp of transformation. So, for those currently in... “ Cold winter ” For mining enterprises, how can they seize the opportunity and win this battle of transformation? How can they leverage digital technologies to boost productivity? And how can they significantly enhance labor efficiency to achieve profitability? With these many questions in mind, a reporter recently conducted interviews with... SAP Global Vice President Sis · Eckhart.

Sith · Eckhart graduated from the School of Business at Pforzheim University of Applied Sciences in Germany and has previously served as... SAP President of the Japan Research Institute, leading SAP The Japan Institute has become SAP An important member of global R&D organizations; previously served as SAP Director and Vice President of Consulting and Services in South Korea, for SAP South Korea’s establishment of specialized consulting service agencies has played a tremendous role. Sis. · Eckhart also serves as SAP Head of the Mining Industry Solutions Division, responsible for: SAP Development and design of solutions for the mining, metal products, textile, furniture, and construction materials industries, as well as their global promotion. SAP Dedicated to providing digital transformation solutions for mining companies worldwide, leveraging emerging internet technologies to restructure production technologies, business processes, and working methods, thereby establishing a modern management and operational system.

Reporter: The global economy is currently experiencing a slowdown, and China’s economy has entered a “new normal.” The mining industry is... “ Cold winter ” For some time now, coupled with the gradual shift of mining operations to deeper underground levels, production costs have been steadily rising. A series of issues has led to significant challenges in profitability for mining companies. What’s your take on these problems?

Sith · Eckhart: There is no doubt that the mining industry has come under considerable pressure in recent years. In the past... 10 Throughout the year, labor productivity in the mining industry has significantly improved. This achievement is attributable not only to advances in technology but also to increased investment in the mining sector. However, the mining industry now faces several new issues and challenges that we must confront and address.

The mining industry is facing significant challenges; over the past two years, commodity prices have fallen by approximately... 50% Many shallow mineral deposits have already been exploited and developed. As a result, to remain profitable, mining companies must dig deeper and develop mineral resources in more remote regions. At the same time, supply-chain prices continue to rise. Consequently, mining companies are facing ever-increasing pressure.

Despite the enormous challenges it faces, the mining industry also presents significant opportunities. For many mining companies, it is imperative to enhance their operational capabilities and technological sophistication. Currently, the mining industry has fewer than... 1% The data obtained has not been fully utilized and has failed to achieve the goal of driving business decisions. Therefore, we need to fully explore other... 99% data. Many technologically advanced companies leverage their data extensively, because with the help of digital technologies, they can conduct more intelligent mining operations. This requires decision-makers to make informed decisions, develop scientifically sound plans, recruit and cultivate outstanding employees, and ensure production safety at the same time.

In the past 10 Throughout the year, capital investment in the entire mining industry has doubled. Given the capital-intensive nature of this industry, how should companies respond to these changes? First, businesses need to leverage digitalization to boost revenue, transform their business models, and fundamentally alter their operational approaches—adopting automated and intelligent mining technologies and fostering collaboration across different business segments. By strengthening cooperation among various partners, the mining industry can become more reliable and predictable.

Reporter: In SAP Among the business activities we’ve undertaken, could you please list some successful cases?

Sith · Eckhart: At SAP Among the businesses we’ve been involved in, there’s a mining company from South Africa. This company... 11 Every country has businesses that, by leveraging precise mining technologies, are able to extract higher-grade minerals rather than wasting time transporting lower-grade ores. They conduct real-time analytical forecasting, and operators monitor instruments on their devices, using a variety of tools—including the mobile phones in everyone’s hands—to share information instantly across different departments. Moreover, they present this information to employees via live video feeds, enabling staff at all levels to respond swiftly and proactively address issues, thereby significantly boosting operational efficiency. It’s safe to say that they’re driving both profitability and predictability as they reshape the entire industry.

Australian Roy Hill The company’s mining production base is located a certain distance from the office. 1300 Multiple kilometers away, their managers monitor the mine from distant locations, leveraging advanced technologies to analyze and observe the entire production process and every minute detail, thereby better achieving their goals in terms of output and safety. Through remote control centers and sensor technology, they minimize equipment failures and maximize operational efficiency. The company is also continually transforming the way work is done: compared to the past, when miners often labored in harsh environments, an increasing number of miners are now becoming knowledge-based workers, and the working environment has become significantly safer. For instance, numerous wearable devices now provide safety alerts, and this has become a standard feature.

Australia PanAust The company has a copper-gold mining operation in Laos and also operates in Papua New Guinea. They provide a wide range of technologies that are very easy to use, even for employees who don’t speak English. In Laos, we help... PanAust By adopting consistent business practices, we have enabled local employees to work in a more dignified manner, enhanced customer trust and satisfaction, and reduced operational costs. We are committed to... PanAust It provides a simple user interface, significantly boosting their work efficiency and eliminating the need to spend much time training local staff.

This year 9 Month, SAP A cooperation agreement has been signed with China's Shenhua Group, under which Shenhua will implement a comprehensive deployment and advanced execution. SAP The product facilitates the optimal allocation of resources across the entire group, enabling industrial chain synergy and digital transformation. Shenhua Group, as the world’s largest coal supplier and a source of wealth, ... 500 The company is strong, with operations spanning multiple sectors and a complex organizational structure. Under the broader context of industrial restructuring, Shenhua Group will achieve comprehensive development through all-around construction. SAP The technology platform simplifies complexity, fostering industrial synergy and digital innovation. In addition, Shenhua will also rely on... SAP In industry 4.0 With a strong technical background in the field, we will innovate in areas such as equipment management and big data applications, laying a solid foundation for future data center construction and big data analytics applications.

Reporter: What will the future of informationization in the mining industry look like?

Sith · Eckhart: In the future, as digital technologies become increasingly widespread, more intelligent operating systems will significantly boost our work efficiency. Chile's... CODELCO The company is the world’s largest copper producer, engaged in the development, mining, refining, processing, and sale of copper ores. The company has numerous sensors that can safely monitor environmental factors such as light, sound, and oxygen levels. These sensors can precisely pinpoint the location of employees within the mine, making it easy to rescue them in the event of an accident. Moreover, if a worker gets too close to certain hazards, the equipment will immediately sound an alarm.

According to forecasts, by 2020 Year, approximately 500 Billions of devices will be connected to the internet. Meanwhile, sensor prices will continue to drop, so integrating such devices into coal mines should no longer be a major challenge.

SAP We’ve been consistently striving to help our clients become digital mining enterprises. Our vision for these enterprises is driven by... SAP The solution provided, at its core, is CACP of the HANA The platform offers various solutions. We are also responsible for providing solutions from internet manufacturers and then completing the task through the integration of the entire system. SAP It can help businesses gain operational insights, improve equipment efficiency, and simplify... IT And achieve business innovation, enabling enterprises to generate profits in the fiercely competitive market.

In every mining operation, we employ analytical capabilities for forecasting, based on... IT Further optimize and integrate the infrastructure architecture. SAP The value chain supporting the mining industry can optimize assets—including the management of commodity supply chains, operational risk management, and compliance management—thereby minimizing enterprises’ commercial risks. In terms of optimizing mining operations, it enables centralized management of our projects and project portfolios, making project execution predictable and sustainable.

SAP It plays a pivotal role in the mining industry, and in China, many customers are also using it. SAP the solution, such as the one applied by Inner Mongolia Yitai Group HANA The software suite has benefited greatly.

I believe we’re living in an era of digital transformation, and everyone’s mindset must also evolve to embrace a digital way of thinking. What will the mining industry look like in the future? While today’s industry has made significant progress—though not just in technology—we need to drive innovation across the board: reduce the costs of raw materials and fuels, and make transportation processes highly efficient, green, and cost-effective. The world is changing at an unprecedented pace, and business development is accelerating rapidly as well. That’s why we must leverage real-time data, share this data globally, and transmit cutting-edge ideas in real time—to help companies improve their performance.

I believe that in the near future, our work will become increasingly easier, and our work efficiency will rise steadily. The trend toward digitalization is inevitable—soon, sales will go digital, office work will become digital, and even all business processes will be digitized. Digitalization connects all devices together, and this connectivity is highly secure. Today is an era of change—a time of transformation. In such an era, our mindset must evolve, and we need to develop a strong digital mindset. So many digital technologies are not only reshaping the rules of the game but also continuously helping people improve and enhance their quality of life. Now is the time for action—let’s fully harness the abundant opportunities this digital age has brought us. □