A New Reform of Mining Production and Management Modes under Industry 4.0: Cloud Mining Mode

Abstract

In the context of Industry 4.0, using a new generation of information technology to activate and transform traditional industries will maintain the long-term competitiveness of traditional industries. The mining industry is also going through the process of informatization transformation. Through a literature survey, we analyze the current situation and challenges faced by mine production and operation management. Many mining companies are expanding in scale, but their operation and management methods are inefficient, and their business processes and organizational management methods need to be reformed. We propose a new mode named CM mode (cloud mining mode). We define this as integrating the core business of the mine (such as production and operation management, mining technology, planning services, etc.) into the cloud through effective use of cloud technologies, cloud resources, and cloud services. A large number of human and intellectual resources move to the cloud. A new mode of operation and management of mining industry clusters is thus formed; it is open, cooperative, and coordinated. We present five elements of the CM mode: data resources, digital technologies, digital talents, cloud business form, and cloud cooperation mode. We establish a “cloud–edge–terminal” technical framework of the CM mode, and describe its technical characteristics. We also describe three main application scenarios of the CM mode, and highlight the development path and key points of construction. The CM mode highlights a new development direction for the production and management of intelligent mines, and is of great significance for giving full play to the value of intelligent construction.