Where technology links a 1500km supply chain

Technology is expected to transform the resources industry. At BHP, due to the size of our mines and reserves, we are one of the few companies that can truly embrace the opportunities that this transformation provides. Across our sites we are already employing new equipment, processes and software that are helping us improve the safety and efficiency of our operations.

One area that is evolving quickly with technology is our supply chain.

Imagine an assembly line in a modern automotive plant. They begin with pieces of sheet metal, and every 45-50 seconds as the vehicle moves down the line, more parts such as engines, wheels, seats, are added. This synchronised process, supported by specialised human operators and robotics enables manufacturers to build a car far quicker and more safely than previously.

We are adopting this ‘assembly line’ approach in our operations, but where automotive production lines take place inside a factory, our assembly line can stretch for hundreds or thousands of kilometres across some of the most remote parts of the planet. It’s a challenge, and if we can synchronise our processes along this line, in much the same way as a car manufacturer, that’s truly a game changer for our industry.

The business value presented by connecting our workforce, data, and systems is self-evident. Knowing how to apply it, as well as where and when in a long and complex supply chain, is more difficult however.  We’ve evolved our approach, our technology experts now work at our sites, side to side with our mining and oil experts to make the most of opportunities to improve our productivity and our safety performance from exploration to shipping our products.

Let me give you some examples.