The evolution of mining

Remote technologies, Artificial Intelligence, and robotics are changing the face of the mining industry. Harnessing these new technologies offers a safer, smarter, and more efficient future of mining. Since its inception, the Woodsmith Project has sought to set the standard for this new era, embracing innovation, and implementing sustainable practices.

As Operational Readiness Director, Gareth Williams is responsible for embedding these practices into the Woodsmith Project. His three decades of experience in the global mining industry means he is well equipped to deliver on this new vision for the industry.

Gareth’s career in mining began with university holidays spent in New Zealand’s coal mines, before working in Australia, South Africa, and finally Yorkshire. “I’ve been here for 11 years now. I can see why they call it God’s Own Country,” he says.

Gareth is responsible for seeing the Woodsmith Project into its production phase. “It's an incredibly exciting role,” he says. “It's not very often that you have the ability to come into a mine which is still in its early stages and deliver a vision.”

This vision is ambitious, yet achievable: to build a state-of-the-art mine that embodies Anglo American’s purpose - to reimaging mining to improve people’s lives, both locally and globally. Despite a number of quiet decades for North Yorkshire’s mining industry, the Woodsmith Project offers renewed opportunity for the region. “It feeds into local economies, stimulates social upliftment in the areas we operate and delivers a product that is going to help feed the world for another century,” says Gareth.

Yet, what really sets the Woodsmith Project apart is its design. The mine itself sits within the North York Moors, so ensuring the buildings are hidden within the landscape has been a priority from the start. “I think the design of this mine is absolutely world-class,” Gareth says. “Most of the infrastructure sits 50 metres below ground level. Once construction of the mine is finished, anyone driving past would think there was just a collection of farm barns on the site, yet there could be as many as 400 people on shift below the ground.” A tunnel will run below the Moors, connecting the Woodsmith Mine to the materials handling facility on Teesside. “There’s absolutely minimum impact on such a pristine environment,” says Gareth.

“Mining has a bright future here in the UK, and I think the Woodsmith Project is a prime example of this. That’s what’s so exciting for me – to be able to engineer something in an incredibly environmentally sensitive way that can also deliver value for the business."

This bright future is also a smart one, informed by technologies that make operations both safer and more efficient. Gareth highlights the importance of looking to other industries for inspiration. “We’re looking at the art of the possible when it comes to taking technologies from other industries,” says Gareth. “If you look to the car manufacturing industry, there are robotics that construct the cars. Why can’t we be looking at that kind of technology in mining? Those are the boundaries that we need to push.”

According to Gareth, by operating underground machinery remotely, teams will no longer need to travel kilometres beneath the earth’s surface. “Where a miner of the past might insert a roof bolt manually, now we are working with universities to understand how we can do that robotically from the surface. It's about embracing the technology that's available,” says Gareth. “It's about asking, how can we remove people from harm?”

Gareth is quick to dispel the common assumption that autonomous machinery means fewer jobs. “It's not about removing people from the industry. It's about upskilling the youngsters of today – the workforce of tomorrow.”

Whilst those who are handy with a spanner will always have a place in the mining industry, the typical miner’s skillset is fast expanding. The focus is now shifting towards Information Technology, electromechanics and instrumentation. “We need to make sure that young people have the skills and capabilities to bring these new technologies into what has long been a very traditional working environment,” says Gareth. “That is the vision that we have and the vision that we intend to deliver on.”

This innovative use of the latest technology, digitalisation and the approach to sustainability at the Woodsmith Project are prime examples of Anglo American’s FutureSmart Mining approach in action.  With every step in the Woodsmith Project’s development, we hope to lead the charge in the evolution of mining and to embody the company’s purpose: to reimagine mining to improve people’s lives.

Whether through sustainable design measures, or our competitive apprenticeship scheme we are shaping the future of the industry and of our community in equal measure. “I think it's an incredibly exciting position to be in,” says Gareth. “I hope to pull upon my years of mining experience and lead a very capable team going forwards.”

To find out more about FutureSmart Mining, visit https://www.angloamerican.com/futuresmart/futuresmart-mining