In today’s podcast, we talk to a previous guest. He produced a report exploring the key mining trends in 2019 which is definitely worth a listen and is now back with another report Deloitte’s in partnership with NORCAT “The future of mining with wearables - exploring the health, safety, and environmental benefits of  wearables and how to leverage the technology to achieve better outcomes for mining companies around the world. The report looks at some really interesting considerations around wearables such as privacy around data collection, engagement strategies with unions and other stakeholders, along with the challenges around implementation and scaling the technology. 
  
KEY TAKEAWAYS 

The report 

This is the fourth report released by Deloittes in partnership with NORCAT,  a technology and innovation centre based in the heart of the mining in Ontario, Canada. 
The location serves as a positive area for collisions, bringing different technologies together to interact with each other within an operational mining environment. 
This report deals with the future of wearables and is published at a time of heightened scrutiny on safety and as technology is taking over in the mining industry. 
The broader wave of digital is transforming the way people actually operate, the work they are doing and the way it is executed. 
Within this area, wearables have a key role in both environmental monitoring and workers health. 

Developing strategies for wearables moving forward 

It’s vital that mining companies first identify the problem then right wearable required in the situation. 
Taking a user-centric view of the technology is key, how is the worker going to utilise the technology on a day to day basis and how will it help them? 
Wearables have a crucial role to play in the health and safety of workers, they are the modern technological equivalent of the canary in a coal mine. 
It allows to not just one thing but multiple environmental factors to be monitored 

Increasing the adoption of wearables 

User centricity is key if the wearer is expected to wear the item for a considerable amount of time it must be comfortable and easy to use. Piloting the wearable ensures the technology has user-centricity. 
To increase the use of wearables it is vital that there is a clear understanding of the stakeholders involved and that concerns are addressed.  

Challenges for scaling of the wearables market 

You must have a view on the end-use of the technology and fully understand the user-centricity. 
The collection of data and privacy controls are vital to ensure the protection of workers. 
It is possible for wearables to not be associated with an individual and there are mechanisms where you can blind the data. 
Using the data as part of a shared dialogue between workers and management can be vital in the successful integration of this technology into the work environment. 
 
BEST MOMENTS 
‘It allows to not just one thing but multiple environmental factors to be monitored’ 
‘If things do go wrong then wearables can aid in the location of workers for search and rescue teams’ 
‘There are a myriad of technologies out there and its vital that you look beyond the technology and understand what problem you are trying to solve’ 
  
  
VALUABLE RESOURCES 
The Dig Deep Mining Podcast 
aswart@deloitte.ca  
The Future of Mining with Wearables PDF Report 
  
ABOUT THE HOST 
Rob Tyson 
Rob Tyson is an established recruiter in the mining and quarrying sector and decided to produce the “Dig Deep” The Mining Podcast to provide valuable and informative content around the mining industry. He has a passion and desire to promote the industry and the podcast aims to offer the mining community insight to people’s experiences and careers covering any mining discipline, giving the listeners helpful advice and guidance on industry topics. 
Rob is the Founder and Director of Mining International Ltd, a leading global recruitment and headhunting consultancy based in the