Digital transformation in the mining and metallurgical sector: AI improves automation, efficiency and safety, promoting sustainability and optimization in mining and steelmaking.
During the 8th ABM Week, topics related to digital transformation in the mining and metallurgy sector were discussed, in which Artificial Intelligence stood out. With the use of Artificial Intelligence, it was possible to achieve notable improvements in automation processes, increase efficiency and ensure greater safety in operations, demonstrating considerable potential to revolutionize the steel industry. and mining.
AI has brought clear advantages to the sector, optimizing resources and promoting more sustainable practices. Thanks to the application of advanced technologies like this, sustainability has become an increasingly tangible reality, positively impacting the entire mining and metallurgical ecosystem. These advances have enabled not only an increase in productivity, but also a significant reduction in occupational risks.
According to ABI Research projections, global investments in digital technologies in mining industry should reach US$9,3 billion by the year 2030. Within the steel and mining, Artificial Intelligence has been a crucial tool, bringing significant advances in both exploration and extraction of resources. This is possible through the employment of autonomous vehicles, advanced sensors and machine learning algorithms. The frequent application of AI has contributed to making these processes more sustainable and safe.
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The role of Artificial Intelligence in the steel industry
In the steel industry, AI is key to optimizing Production processes, in addition to predicting possible equipment failures. The use of AI has also considerably improved the quality of final products. Recognizing the importance of these technological innovations, the Brazilian Association of Metallurgy, Materials and Mining (ABM) organized four roundtables focused on Artificial Intelligence for the mining-metallurgical sector during its main annual event, the 8th ABM Week.
During the largest technical-scientific week in Latin America in the areas of metallurgy, materials and mining, experts from both industry and academia discussed the latest innovations and the challenges faced in implementing AI in these sectors. Although AI has expanded rapidly, issues related to the ethics of data use emerge as one of the biggest challenges, especially when it comes to generative AI.
Challenges of Artificial Intelligence and ethics in the use of data
According to experts participating in the event, one of the most frequently mentioned risks is the importance of maintaining transparency and ethics in the collection and use of data. In addition, the need for in-depth research to ensure the effectiveness and safety of AI applications, especially in educational contexts, was widely discussed. In many cases, factors that are invisible to algorithms can obscure and distort judgments and conclusions.
The round table 'AI applied to product development and sustainability in forming processes' was a highlight of the second day of ABM Week 2024. This debate was part of the 59th Metal Rolling and Forming Seminar, with the participation of speakers from ArcelorMittal, Usiminas and VETTA, and coordinators by consultants José Herbert Dolabela and Júlio César Enge.
AI and sustainability in forming processes
Jetson Lemos Ferreira, a researcher at ArcelorMittal, presented practical examples of the use of AI to predict complex defects and develop new types of steel. Giselle Miranda Bento, Information Intelligence Manager at Usiminas, discussed the integration of AI into the company's production processes, promoting a data culture to optimize operations, such as annealing.
Lis Nunes Soares, Director of Energy Efficiency from VETTA, emphasized the importance of AI to increase energy efficiency and reduce emissions. Using advanced technologies to anticipate patterns and avoid excessive practical testing, she recognized that 'When we talk about energy, we look in the rearview mirror; the fact has already happened. So, the use of AI helps us identify behaviors and patterns to make the necessary adaptations.' The insertion of AI within this data culture solidifies its strategic importance for daily decisions, as highlighted by Giselle from Usiminas.
Perspectives and challenges of generative AIs
The roundtable 'Perspectives and challenges of Generative AI implementations in Industry' featured experts from Microsoft, Gerdau, EloGroup and Deloitte. Coordinated by Renato Cesar Braga, Electrical Engineering and Automation Coordinator at Vallourec South America, and Leandro Rodrigues Ramos, Automation Specialist Automation and Process Control from ArcelorMittal, and moderated by Douglas Vieira, Executive Director of Enacom, the debate emphasized the potential and technical and ethical challenges of AI in industry.
Francisco de Almeida, Data & AI Senior Manager at EloGroup, highlighted the economic impact of AI, which, according to his presentation, could generate annual values between 9,5 and 26 trillion dollars. Rodrigo Sarkis, Global Account Technical Strategist at Microsoft, highlighted that AI can be a powerful tool for hyper personalization, application in marketing and sales strategies, and copilot models for employees.
The Impact of ChatGPT and AI on the Workplace
Rodrigo mentioned the success of ChatGPT, the most widely used chatbot globally, which has already surpassed 200 million users per week, warning about the judicious use of AI: 'Let's use human intelligence and parsimony in the development of interactions with generative applications.'
Rafael Guimarães, General Manager of Gerdau's Digital Portfolio, presented the company's AI projects: Data4ALL, a platform with more than 30 courses and 340 classes, already reaching more than 7 thousand subscribers, and a chat assistant via Copilot to optimize daily tasks. João Zaiden, Head of Intelligent Assets at Deloitte, discussed the ethical issue of AI, addressing that the solution must be strictly linked to the topics of interest, avoiding imprecise answers.
AI in mining and the global energy transition
The roundtable 'Artificial Intelligence in Mining' discussed how AI can increase the competitiveness of the Brazilian mining industry and help in the global energy transition. Moderated by Gisele Regina Hwang, an engineering specialist at Vale, the event brought together names such as Giorgio de Tomi from USP and Marcelo Tavares from COPPE/UFRJ. They discussed the optimization of mining operations through AI, without downplaying the importance of accumulated technical knowledge.
Vale's Carolina de Piero Bruno highlighted that human expertise is essential in processes involving safety. Giorgio de Tomi stressed that Brazil has a huge opportunity to play a leading role in the global energy transition, using AI to make the mining industry more competitive. 'The world is thirsty for minerals for the energy transition, and we can lead not only in supply, but also in decarbonization,' said Giorgio.
Responsible use of AI by students
Artificial Intelligence is also not far from universities. During ABM Week, the roundtable 'Use of AI by Students: Risks and Opportunities' discussed the responsible use of AI by academics. Organized by the Technical Committee for Scientific-Technological Initiation, the event was moderated by Geraldo Lúcio de Faria, from UFOP, and coordinated by Willy Ank de Morais, from Unisanta.
Emerging talents such as Guilherme Frederico Bernardo Lenz e Silva from USP and Weslei Monteiro Ambros from UFRGS participated in the debate. They warned that relying exclusively on AI to create materials from scratch can harm the learning process, compromising the development of critical skills and independent problem-solving.
The challenge of digital literacy
Digital literacy was also a crucial point discussed, highlighting that the challenge is not only in the use of AI, but also in the lack of Internet access and technology. Many people still have limitations in this access, skipping essential steps in continuous technological development.
About the 8th ABM Week:
Held annually by the Brazilian Association of Metallurgy, Materials and Mining (ABM), ABM Week is the leading technical-scientific event in Latin America, focused on discussing the latest innovations and challenges faced by the industry. In the 8th edition, ArcelorMittal was the host, and the event had important sponsors such as DME Engenharia, Gerdau, Vale, CBMM, among others. The conference brought together renowned professionals, researchers and companies dedicated to exploring the economic potential of AI, automation and process control, and energy efficiency to promote advances in steelmaking and mining.
Source: Ariely Polidoro