12
includes defining the impact of these implementations on
internal and external processes and conducting thorough
risk assessments 42. The aim is to ensure that automation
creates a safer and more efficient working environment
without compromising ergonomic standards.
Step 3: Development of technical solution strategies
The final step focuses on developing and selecting techni-
cal solutions that are consistent with ergonomic principles
and support a human-centered approach. In underground
mining, this could include the development of control sys-
tems that are intuitive and reduce the cognitive load on
operators, or the implementation of automation technolo-
gies that support rather than replace workers, enabling safer
and more productive operations.
In addition, this step also considers the wider impact
of these solutions on employee skills and engagement.
Ensuring that employees are adequately trained and their
tasks are adapted to work harmoniously with automated
systems is essential to maintaining a safe and supportive
working environment.
By implementing these steps, the BM approach ensures
that ergonomic principles are seamlessly integrated into
mining operations to promote a human-centered, auto-
mated mine where employee health, safety and well-being
are paramount.
Water as Part of the Blue Mining Approach
The Modern Challenges of Water Management
The demands on water management in the mining indus-
try have increased considerably over the decades due to a
multitude of complex and multi-layered challenges. At first
glance, the main problems of water management have not
changed significantly. These include either dewatering the
mine workings or managing the local scarcity of water at
a site, for example for ore processing, as well as managing
water quality to prevent pollution. In the past, addressing
these issues was often reactive and focused on the imme-
diate impacts of mining operations. Today, water man-
agement challenges are characterized by a variety of new
factors (Figure 7).
The most obvious challenge is global warming. Both 43
and 44 emphasize the vulnerability of the industry to global
warming. Shifts in climate and the increased occurrence
of extreme weather events lead to greater variability in the
availability of water resources. These fluctuations make it
more difficult to predict water availability and present min-
ing companies with the challenge of factoring both water
surpluses and droughts into their planning. Another con-
sequence of global warming is the increase in conflicts over
the use of water resources. In many regions, mining compa-
nies are competing with agricultural, urban and ecological
uses for limited water resources. These conflicts are further
exacerbated by population growth and increasing urbaniza-
tion. The energy transition, which is intended to slow down
the progression of the climate crisis, has also increased the
pressure on the mining industry, as the demand for critical
raw materials for renewable energies has risen.
The production of minerals required to meet the
demand for renewable energy technologies will increase by
500 %by 2050, particularly for critical minerals such as
graphite, lithium and cobalt 45. At the same time, this will
lead to a higher demand for water as production needs to
be increased. Many experts assume that global demand for
water will exceed supply by 40 percent as early as 2030. At
the same time, mining companies will need to reduce their
CO2 emissions and adopt more sustainable practices, which
will require the use of new technologies and processes.
Geopolitical uncertainties represent another modern
challenge. Trade conflicts and political instability can make
Figure 7. Presentation of the modern challenges of water management in the raw materials extraction industry
includes defining the impact of these implementations on
internal and external processes and conducting thorough
risk assessments 42. The aim is to ensure that automation
creates a safer and more efficient working environment
without compromising ergonomic standards.
Step 3: Development of technical solution strategies
The final step focuses on developing and selecting techni-
cal solutions that are consistent with ergonomic principles
and support a human-centered approach. In underground
mining, this could include the development of control sys-
tems that are intuitive and reduce the cognitive load on
operators, or the implementation of automation technolo-
gies that support rather than replace workers, enabling safer
and more productive operations.
In addition, this step also considers the wider impact
of these solutions on employee skills and engagement.
Ensuring that employees are adequately trained and their
tasks are adapted to work harmoniously with automated
systems is essential to maintaining a safe and supportive
working environment.
By implementing these steps, the BM approach ensures
that ergonomic principles are seamlessly integrated into
mining operations to promote a human-centered, auto-
mated mine where employee health, safety and well-being
are paramount.
Water as Part of the Blue Mining Approach
The Modern Challenges of Water Management
The demands on water management in the mining indus-
try have increased considerably over the decades due to a
multitude of complex and multi-layered challenges. At first
glance, the main problems of water management have not
changed significantly. These include either dewatering the
mine workings or managing the local scarcity of water at
a site, for example for ore processing, as well as managing
water quality to prevent pollution. In the past, addressing
these issues was often reactive and focused on the imme-
diate impacts of mining operations. Today, water man-
agement challenges are characterized by a variety of new
factors (Figure 7).
The most obvious challenge is global warming. Both 43
and 44 emphasize the vulnerability of the industry to global
warming. Shifts in climate and the increased occurrence
of extreme weather events lead to greater variability in the
availability of water resources. These fluctuations make it
more difficult to predict water availability and present min-
ing companies with the challenge of factoring both water
surpluses and droughts into their planning. Another con-
sequence of global warming is the increase in conflicts over
the use of water resources. In many regions, mining compa-
nies are competing with agricultural, urban and ecological
uses for limited water resources. These conflicts are further
exacerbated by population growth and increasing urbaniza-
tion. The energy transition, which is intended to slow down
the progression of the climate crisis, has also increased the
pressure on the mining industry, as the demand for critical
raw materials for renewable energies has risen.
The production of minerals required to meet the
demand for renewable energy technologies will increase by
500 %by 2050, particularly for critical minerals such as
graphite, lithium and cobalt 45. At the same time, this will
lead to a higher demand for water as production needs to
be increased. Many experts assume that global demand for
water will exceed supply by 40 percent as early as 2030. At
the same time, mining companies will need to reduce their
CO2 emissions and adopt more sustainable practices, which
will require the use of new technologies and processes.
Geopolitical uncertainties represent another modern
challenge. Trade conflicts and political instability can make
Figure 7. Presentation of the modern challenges of water management in the raw materials extraction industry