Strategic Initiatives: Mining Technologies

Mining goes back as far as human history. The first tools made of metal by prehistoric humans are considered to be sharp-edged tools made from flint. 43,000 years ago, a tribe in Esvatini used iron mica to paint their bodies for traditional ceremonies. They began extracting specularite* from the Ngwenya Mine in Lion Cave for this purpose, making Ngwenya the oldest known mine. * As early as 3700 to 3000 BC, Egyptians were extracting local metals such as gold, silver and copper from river deposits, and around 2600 BC they were extracting various metals needed for the construction of the Great Pyramids. In Anatolia, the cradle of mining, we know that its inhabitants were collecting copper ingots and making small objects 10,000 years ago.

The mines from which the metals used to make tools in the early ages were extracted are now evolving into digital mines. Today, mines are using drones, artificial intelligence, big data and machine learning, electric vehicles and wearable technologies. Digital solutions and innovations that bring a new perspective to mining are called mining technologies. These technologies help reduce costs while increasing sustainability (machine sustainability and environmental sustainability) and operational efficiency in mining sites.

As Borusan Cat, we are shaping the future of the mining industry with our approximately 3000 active machines and technology solutions. We make many investments in the mining field with our Mining Technologies initiative, which we pursue to ensure optimization in mine sites and to provide the most effective service to our customers. By integrating the Catterpillar MineStar mine operation system into customer sites, we aim to increase work efficiency, safety, equipment health and automate operations. In addition to MineStar technology, we also offer our customers zero-emission equipment and renewable energy solutions for mine sites. In order to continue innovation and development in the mining industry, we collaborate with start-ups and strive to be a pioneer in the mining industry, where technology is increasingly important, by following trends and offering the most up-to-date technology to our customers.

*Specularite: a type of iron oxide found in rocks and soil

*Wikipedia (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ngwenya_Mine)

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