How Technology Has Been Shaking Up The Construction And Mining Industry This Year

Featured article by Damian Troy, Independent Technology Author

Construction and mining are two industries often considered to be behind the times when it comes to technological advancements but those within the industry itself certainly know very different. In fact, they tend to take upcoming technological advancements in their stride, introducing new and innovative ways to get the job done. Whether it’s the introduction of a drilling rig for mining, or even something as simple as a laser level, technology is constantly helping these industries thrive. 2018 has been no different and here, we’re taking a look at some of the unique technologies currently being integrated or developed.

3D Printing

3D printing is at home nowhere quite as much as it’s at home in the construction industry. In fact, this particular technology has the potential to revolutionise the way we conduct a whole number of different construction-based activities. Whether it’s something as simple as laying bricks, or the full creation of a bridge, the potential that 3D printing holds is huge. This style of construction could take away the need for simple, repetitive work and open up the industry’s workforce to more specialised and unique job roles.

Automation

Automation is one particular technology that appears to hold no boundaries. From transport to gaming all the way back to, you guessed it, construction, automation has made countless processes much more streamlined and unerringly efficient. Within construction and mining, this could cover anything from trucks and other vehicles to the rigs, drills and other machinery in order to help increase speed. What’s more, with automation, the health and safety risks associated with mining or dangerous construction activity can be reduced significantly. By taking people out of the mines and onto the ground to operate and maintain these machines, the chance to construct stronger, more efficient creations or even drill down deeper than would be safe to visit otherwise, both industries could be revolutionised.

Electric Vehicles

One huge focus that most construction and mining companies have to start adopting is that of becoming environmentally friendly to the best of their ability. Mining, in particular, has been under fire for being one of the most disruptive industries to our ecosystems. For that reason, leading companies have to start introducing greener ways to do business and electric vehicles are just one example. As with transport, the introduction of electric vehicles into mining and construction can not only make the movement of materials a much more eco-friendly process, but it could work out cheaper and more economically viable for the company too.

When it comes to construction and mining, there are a whole wealth of technological advancements currently in the works and while not all of them are upon us quite yet, we could come to see the likes of Artificial Intelligence, augmented reality and even affordable wearables produced on a mass scale for those in the industry. For now, however, 3D printing, automation and electric vehicles are just three of the leading changes currently happening in the industry, and we can’t wait to find out what we might see next.

About the Author

Damien Troy is an experienced and notable author, who loves taking on new challenges and writing across a huge range of topics -channelling his personal experience and expertise. When Troy isn’t tapping away at his keyboard, creating his latest masterpiece, he can be found exploring new countries and cultures or burying his head in a good book.