Mining operations are almost always situated in remote areas. Mines use plenty of high-tech products, which requires specialized maintenance. The problem lies in training workers for this, as they do not stay in the same job for too long.

IMA has noticed that mines are reluctant to start using new special applications. “To lower this gap, we offer almost full technical support remotely”, CEO of IMA Jukka Raatikainen says.

“Our support to the mine maintenance staff (electrical, ICT or software) is made easy, interpersonal, and practical with Whatsapp or Skype as if we were part of their own team.  Even installations can be done remotely.”

Raatikainen states that mining services will go more and more online. IMA is starting new projects with the initial estimate that travel to sites won’t be available for the next eighteen months. “So, we make full commission with training, installation and calibration of the sensor remotely.”

This online trend will continue even after Covid-19 is history. “Mines need to become more profitable and sustainable – using less energy or water, and they have to utilize their ore reserves better. This is where we offer new and better solutions.”

Raatikainen maintains that new products will not raise prices. “We want to keep costs the same or lower. Luckily, we started going this direction a few years back. We are building training courses to have them online. Videos document this new world we live in, in a new way.”

IMA of Espoo, Finland, has developed technology which is used for early exploration in analyzing drill cores automatically from boxes where they are collected in the drill rig. Our sister company offers this service in Scandinavia.

IMAs Sampler-Analyzrs can be integrated on drill rigs to analyze ore grade automatically while drilling. They replace complicated, time consuming, and inaccurate manual sampling on mine benches where robotized drill rigs work.

Blasted ore is then scanned with IMA sensor from a conveyor after the primary crusher feeding the ore to the concentrator. In concentrator IMA slurry sensor is analyzing the streams on-line.

Very recently IMA sensors have been installed in pre-concentration in ore sorting applications. This is very much what is needed to reduce energy and chemicals, water and to utilize the ore body in an optimum way. In all stages where IMA sensors are used, they will reduce waste rock dilution.