In this episode, we chat with Jaco Van Dalen, an experienced underground mine planner and surveyor who is currently working with Harmony Gold, in South Africa. As an avid listener of this podcast, he reached out to us as he wanted to talk about how advances in technology like virtual reality can help capture data from incidents that have occurred in mining. Data can be used to help to reduce the number of incidents or tragic events that occur, in the future.
We must take responsibility for improving our understanding of unwanted events so that we can effectively mitigate the re-occurrence. Jaco hopes to continue his research after completing his Masters by utilising data from incidents. Using machine learning applications to predict incidents, which are likely to occur in the future.
 
KEY TAKEAWAYS

Jaco started his mining career as a labourer and is part of a mine rescue team.
For mining incident investigators gathering the data to conduct a proper investigation is extremely challenging.
Good quality safety investigations automatically lead to safer mines.
Investigations can be safely conducted in a day using new technology. Instead of the standard 3 to 5 days.
Faster investigations can translate into millions of dollars saved, per incident.
VR enables specialists from across the world to take part in investigations, anywhere.
Potentially, you will be able to scan an existing workspace and machine learning will be able to recognise similarities and highlight potential risks.
Digital twins are an excellent tool for mine planning as well as incident investigation.

 
BEST MOMENTS
‘I realised that there are better and smarter ways that we can conduct these investigations to get a better insight into what we see at the scene of an incident. ´
‘There is a negative correlation between the quality of investigations and the safety performances of an operation.’
‘After 3D scanners, virtual reality scanners are definitely coming… and we will gain extra information from that.’
 
EPISODE RESOURCES
LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/jaco-van-dalen-7490288b
Email: jacovandalen@gmail.com
 
VALUABLE RESOURCES
Email: rob@mining-international.org
Website: https://www.mining-international.org/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rob-tyson/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/MiningRobTyson
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DigDeepTheMiningPodcast/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theminingpodcast/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/DigDeepTheMiningPodcast/videos
 
ABOUT THE HOST
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 into 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 UK specializing in all areas of mining across the globe from the first world to third world countries from Africa, Europe, the Middle East, Asia, and Australia. We source, headhunt, and discover new and top talent through a targeted approach and search methodology and have a proven track record in sourcing and positioning exceptional candidates into our client's organizations in any mining discipline or level.
Mining International provides a transparent, informative, and trusted consultancy service to our candidates and clients to help them develop their careers and business goals and objectives in this ever-changing marketplace.
Podcast Description
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 about the mining industry. He has a passion and desire to promote the indust