Improving Global Quality of Life

9 Needs and challenges of major industry sectors for future applications
Any strategic approach involving welding covers critical equipment utilised in excavation, bulk handling,
processing and transportation in the mining industry. This approach must encompass innovation and
productivity improvements, delivered by skilled and trained personnel. Within the mining industry, welding
technology also plays a key role in the sustainable development of the industry through safer, more efficient
and cost effective mining strategies that safeguard the environment and minimise waste. Such considerations
apply not only in the mining sectors in developed nations, but also, and possibly even more significantly, in
the mining activities of emerging economies and developing nations. Here the ready availability of labour
means that manual operation often dominates, and the health and safety of many thousands of people,
often children, are affected.
Initiatives by IIW Member countries to establish an adaptable but simple IIW Welding Occupational Health
and Safety Management System for use in such countries offers hope for improved working conditions and
a sustainable environment for the future.
9.7.1 Hot topics
The specific aspects of this industry’s challenges where welding and joining technology transfers are
needed and contribute to meeting the industry objectives include the following:
The need for the mining industry to become more cost effective by improving productivity, reducing
down time on equipment and improving safety, has become predominant in the competitive global
market.
The need to improve the performance, life, repair and maintenance downtime of the different types
of equipment used on mines. Such equipment must be manufactured /repaired/maintained to give
high reliability, integrity and safety.
Any strategic approach will identify and develop unique areas of competitive advantage for companies in
the mining industry sector e.g. laser cladding for refurbishment of worn mining equipment parts. Examples
of specific applications and welding technology solutions that a strategy could analyse, prioritise, develop,
demonstrate and disseminate with relevant stakeholders to help meet the challenges and create unique
areas of competitive advantage for companies cover amongst others:
More efficient manufacture and supply of equipment for use in open cut and underground mines.
Avoidance of failures due to poor structural integrity, wear, erosion, corrosion, overloading.
New methods of repair and maintenance both to avoid future failures and minimise degradation
through modes such as erosion and corrosion.
Light-weighting through increased use of higher strength materials and improved design.
Better safety and on-site conditions and meeting the welding skills shortages.
This will be achieved through solutions, amongst others such as:
Improved hardfacing and cladding material properties.
Procedures for improved quality of weld repair.
Fatigue improvement techniques.
Arc and laser processes for direct application of hardfacing and cladding.
In-service monitoring of equipment.
Higher deposition rate weld processes.
Improved occupational health and safety management.
Use of IIW qualification and certification programmes and more sophisticated technology.
Through Optimum Use and Innovation of Welding and Joining Technologies
Improving Global Quality of Life
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