THE USE OF DIGITAL TWINS TO IMPROVE THE OPERATIONAL EFFICIENCY IN THE EXTRACTIVE INDUSTRIES

Abstract

The article examines the impact of Digital Twins on the business processes of mining companies. Mining companies can optimise their operations, from stripping and mining to enrichment and transportation. By modelling different scenarios, identifying bottlenecks and making informed decisions, companies can improve resource efficiency, reduce downtime and increase productivity, making a positive impact on their operational efficiency. Predictive maintenance strategies implemented with the help of Digital Twins help increase efficiency by minimising unexpected equipment failures and maximising uptime.The main technological effects of the use of Digital Twins in the mining industry, which affect the operational efficiency of the company, are: (1) an increase in the volume of output of commercial products after coal enrichment; (2) an increase in the coefficient of output to the production line of mining equipment.These effects lead to an improvement in the operating efficiency of the mining company, which increases indicators such as EBITDA and cash balance at the end of the period. This impact on operating efficiency is achieved by increasing the volume of commercial products, improving the efficiency of production processes, and by reducing the fixed and operating costs of the business.In order to assess the impact of the use of Digital Twin technology on mining companies, a methodology has been developed to assess the impact of the use of Digital Twin technology on mining companies. According to the results of the survey, a number of key production processes have been identified where the introduction of a Digital Twin is expected to have an impact.As a result of the empirical study, the expected increase in EBITDA from the implementation of the Digital Twin was 28%, the actual increase in EBITDA over the study period was 21%. The expected increase in free cash at the end of the period was + 593 million rubles (+130%), the actual increase in free cash for the period under study was 441 million rubles (+96%).The introduction of Digital Twins in mining companies has shown great potential for improving operational efficiency and solving complex challenges facing the industry.