Not long ago, a maintenance technician in a mine spent their day elbow-deep in grease, oil, and machinery. Breakdowns meant getting hands-on and figuring out the problem on the spot. It was a job that demanded practical skill and a good sense of mechanical intuition.
Fast forward to today, and the role looks a little different.
Predictive maintenance, AI-driven analytics, and cloud-based monitoring are now at the center of keeping operations running smoothly.
Companies like Anglo American report downtime reductions of up to 75% thanks to predictive systems that anticipate issues before they become breakdowns.
The Digital Adoption
Maintenance still accounts for roughly half of a mine’s operating expenditure, making these digital upgrades more than just a convenience—they’re a financial necessity.
AI and connected operations help optimize spare parts inventory, reduce downtime, extend equipment lifespan, and improve safety by reducing manual inspections in hazardous areas.
Remote operations centers (ROCs) allow firms such as BHP, Rio Tinto, and Fortescue to monitor equipment from thousands of miles away. Using AI and intelligent algorithms, teams can proactively manage machinery performance.
But while technology does much of the heavy lifting, skilled technicians are still essential.
Interpreting sensor data, running diagnostics, and working alongside automated systems requires both digital literacy and operational know-how.
In fact, a 2022 McKinsey survey found that 86% of mining executives reported difficulties recruiting and retaining skilled employees—a challenge driven in part by the rapid digital transformation reshaping maintenance roles.
The Workforce Gap
An ageing workforce, retirements, and younger candidates wanting to gravitate from blue-collar sectors are exacerbating the skills shortage.
According to a recent report by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), 72% of today’s miners across the world are over 35 years old, highlighting the urgent need for upskilling and attracting fresh talent.
Initiatives like Rio Tinto’s early talent programs, the Queensland Minerals and Energy Academy’s Student Ambassador Programme, and Rockwell’s university partnerships are helping to bridge the gap, pairing digital natives with experienced staff to transfer knowledge both ways.
The maintenance technician of tomorrow will need deep knowledge of heavy assets and the ability to work alongside AI systems. Asking the right questions of technology will become just as important as traditional troubleshooting – and that is a skill in itself.
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