Thabo Balopi, the Executive Head of Transformation and Innovation at Debswana, has reiterated the company’s commitment to adopting advanced technology to address challenges in the diamond mining sector during a panel discussion at the ongoing Mining Indaba in Cape Town.
Speaking during a panel titled “Lateral Migration of Technologies – Is Mining Being Disruptive Enough with Technology?”, Balopi outlined that the Future Smart Connected Mines initiative was a key component of Debswana’s Strategy 2024 aimed at integrating technological advancements in response to deeper mining operations and resource depletion.
Balopi emphasized that while the fear of job loss due to technology is common, new opportunities will emerge, necessitating reskilling and upskilling of the workforce. He also advocated for cross-industry collaboration to improve sustainability. Future Smart Connected Mine strategy will play a crucial role in ensuring the company remains competitive and sustainable in an evolving industry landscape.
