Five myths about interoperability in mining technology

At Epiroc, we help miners unlock the full potential of digitalization. To do so, we often need to debunk myths about mining technology and interoperability.  

Interoperability is the ability of various systems, equipment, and software to work together seamlessly across the mining value chain. Interoperable systems are an important part of successful digitalization, but people often misunderstand how much work is required to achieve interoperability in reality.

To clear up some common misconceptions, we spoke with mining technology experts Benny Cruger and Karin Jirstrand. Together, they address five myths you may have heard about interoperability, and share insights on their approach to long-term collaboration, standardization, and collaborative problem-solving.

• The misconception: Connecting systems via Application Programming Interfaces (APIs) guarantees seamless data flow and integration.
• The reality: An API represents a data contract between systems, allowing them to exchange information in a standardized way. But even with standardized interfaces, achieving plug-and-play scenarios is challenging. 

Karin Jirstrand: Even with standardized interfaces, achieving a plug-and-play scenario where everything just works together is rare. You still need to set up credentials, authentication, and other security mechanisms.

An API is just a tool developers use to build connections between systems. While APIs are essential for interoperability, they’re just the beginning. For the API to work, you need a developer to connect the dots.

Benny Cruger: Key components in the mining tech stack include planning tools, execution systems, and reporting tools, which may all come from different vendors. Even though you have an API as a starting point, you may need expert support and a tailored approach to make sure all your systems work together. 

• The misconception: Industry standards make all systems automatically compatible.
• The reality: While standards provide a foundation, mines still need tailored solutions for their unique business.

Karin Jirstrand: While standards provide a foundation, mines still need tailored solutions. Achieving interoperability requires adapting to each operation's unique workflows, legacy systems, and digital maturity level.

Standards are a set of protocols and guidelines developed over time with input from various stakeholders in the mining industry. Standards are certainly crucial to system integration, especially when working with equipment from different vendors.

Benny Cruger: Collaboration across various vendors is crucial to create standards that benefit the entire industry. Competition drives innovation, but collaboration makes the road smoother.

However, there are still plenty of bumps in the road, even with standards. For example, most manufacturers and vendors today store date and time data in the industry-standard Coordinated Universal Time (UTC). However, some vendors still use International Atomic Time (TAI), which is not in sync with UTC.

That's a seemingly simple data transformation that has to happen between systems to allow for interoperability. Yet, since that’s happening in the intermediary layer, fixing a small issue like this can require a tailored solution.

• The misconception: Continuous real-time data streaming is always beneficial for mining operations.
• The reality: Mining at the speed of data means carefully considering end-user needs and the value each data point provides. The focus should be on providing the right information at the right time to enable decision-making.

Benny Cruger: Rather than thinking in terms of real-time data, we should reframe it as mining at the speed of data. While data may be available in real-time, the systems consuming that data may not process it instantaneously.

For example, we had a case where a machine was sending tasks every five minutes, which overwhelmed the customer's system. To avoid this type of scenario, we carefully consider the actual needs of the end-users.

Karin Jirstrand: Equipment monitoring is a good example of a use case where minimal data can provide valuable insights. Instead of just streaming continuous temperature data, you can set an alarm when a temperature goes above a certain level. This minimal data point can be the key in preventing equipment failure.

You should always focus on the specific use case: What information do you really need? What systems need what information? That's what provides value, not always-on data that’s streaming in real-time.

• The misconception: Existing network infrastructure is typically sufficient for implementing interoperable systems.
• The reality: Many mining sites have varying levels of connectivity, with machines often offline in real-world conditions. Focusing on use cases first will help set network requirements and prioritize critical data transmission.

Karin Jirstrand: Often, mine operators believe that there are good communications and a working network infrastructure, which enables machines to be continuously connected. However, the reality in a mine is complex, and you don't always get the connectivity you expect and need. That means that machines are offline at times or that the speed of data flow is lower than expected. 

When you get to the mine, in reality, a lot of the machines are offline. So, it doesn't matter if you have a great interoperability, because there’s no information coming from the machine anyway.

When deciding just how robust your network needs to be, it is best to focus on the use case first and then figure out what data is truly needed and when. This helps prevent information overload and ensures that the most critical data gets priority.

My advice is to start with something that is available. Don't make it over-complicated. Don't add all use cases into your project. Just start with something that gives value and then continue from there.

• The misconception: Implementing interoperable systems is solely the responsibility of the IT department.
• The reality: Successful interoperability requires collaboration across multiple departments and understanding end-user needs. Meeting with both solution end-users and IT provides valuable insights into practical needs and challenges for effective implementation.

Karin Jirstrand: When we’re developing a solution, it's really good to actually meet the end user and get the real explanation of the problem instead of having it translated a few times. These end-users could be maintenance managers or other operational staff who can provide valuable insights into the practical needs and challenges. 

Benny Cruger: It's like assembling a puzzle. Each department has its own piece, and when we fit them all together, we get a comprehensive picture of how to drive real change.

And when it comes to implementing these changes, a structured approach to change management means an investment in digitalization and interoperability will create lasting value across the mine.

If we approach this correctly, we're not just adding new tools to the toolbox. We're fundamentally changing how the entire mine operates.