We are well aware that the mining industry is one of the most critical worldwide, especially because it must have the capacity to operate non-stop and constantly produce minerals that are part of what we use and consume every day. Within this capacity and need for constant, non-stop operation, the management of critical inputs has become a determining factor in ensuring operational continuity, optimizing costs and promoting sustainability in mining operations. What exactly are critical inputs and why is their management so important? Read on to discover the keys.

What are Critical Inputs in mining?

Critical inputs are those materials or elements that are indispensable for the continuous development of mining operations. An interruption in their supply can generate a significant economic impact for companies in the sector. The criticality of an input is defined by factors such as its availability in the market, its cost, delivery time and the existence of a diversity of suppliers. It is also related to the risk of shortages, dependence on imports and its weight in the cost structure.

Types of Critical Inputs in the Mining Industry

Mining requires a wide range of critical inputs for its operations. Some of the main ones include:

• Energy: Electricity and fuels such as diesel are vital for machinery and processes.  
• Water: Fundamental for grinding, flotation, cooling and dust suppression .  
• Explosives: Necessary for rock fragmentation and mineral extraction.  
• Chemical Reagents: Such as sodium cyanide and sodium sulfhydrate (NaSH), essential for the separation and purification of minerals.  
• Machinery Spare Parts: Components such as tires and grinding balls are crucial for equipment maintenance and repair.  
• Lime: Used in processes such as pH adjustment in flotation .  
• Grinding Balls: Essential to reduce the size of the mineral.  
• Mining trucks and shovels: For the transport and loading of ore.  
• Off-Highway Tires: Critical components for equipment mobility .  

With the energy transition, the demand for minerals such as lithium, copper, zinc and rare earths has increased significantly, becoming critical inputs for other industries as well.  

The strategic importance of Critical Input management

Efficient management of critical inputs in the mining industry is of crucial importance for multiple interconnected reasons. Firstly, it ensures operational continuity by preventing the stoppage of mining activities due to lack of necessary supplies. This management also enables effective cost control by optimizing procurement planning and reducing the risk of cost overruns resulting from shortages or urgent purchases. Likewise, the constant availability of essential resources guaranteed by a good management of critical inputs contributes directly to the improvement of productivity in mining operations. No less important, it facilitates planning and ensuring the supply of essential elements for the safety of workers in a high-risk work environment.
Finally, proper management of critical inputs promotes sustainability by optimizing the use of resources such as water and energy, which contributes to the reduction of the environmental impact of mining activity.

However, the management of critical inputs in mining faces a number of significant challenges. Commodity price volatility can significantly impact operating costs, making financial planning more complex. The availability and supply of these inputs is also a challenge, especially given the dependence on international markets and the concentration of suppliers, which can create risks of stock-outs. In addition, the complex logistics associated with transporting large volumes of materials adds another layer of difficulty to management.
Increasingly stringent environmental regulations require careful management not only of the inputs themselves, but also of the waste they generate. Finally, geopolitical tensions and international trade policies can influence the supply and prices of inputs, creating uncertainty in the supply chain.

Strategies for effective Critical Input management

To overcome these challenges, mining companies can implement various strategies:

• Strategic Planning: Develop long-term plans that consider the demand, availability and risks associated with each input.
• Supplier Diversification: Reduce dependence on a single supplier to mitigate the risk of shortages.
• Inventory Optimization: Maintain adequate inventory levels to ensure operational continuity without incurring excessive storage costs.
• Technology Adoption: Use traceability tools , data analysis and artificial intelligence to predict demand, optimize consumption and improve efficiency in inventory management.
• Real-Time Monitoring: Implement monitoring systems to track input usage and detect potential problems or inefficiencies.
• Collaboration with Suppliers: Establish solid and transparent relationships with suppliers to ensure reliable supply and favorable conditions.
• Circular Economy: Exploring the reuse and recycling of inputs to reduce dependence on primary sources and minimize environmental impact.

To support these strategies, the role that technology is playing today is vital, taking input efficiency to the next level.

The Role of Technology and Innovation

Technology plays an increasingly key role in optimizing the management of critical inputs. At Antara we are working hard to solve these management problems, detecting along the way several opportunities for improvement.
Based on this, we have incorporated a new module to our solution specially dedicated to the management of critical inputs. Through data analysis, it allows mining companies to obtain valuable information about their consumption patterns, identify areas for improvement and predict future needs, as well as to track product stocks, load movements and order picking directly with suppliers.
Another important point is the high level of automation of this process, which improves efficiency in the general management of the supplies area, speeding up response times and allowing historical consumption analysis.

The importance for the future

Critical input management is a fundamental aspect of the mining industry's success and sustainability. By adopting a strategic approach, supported by technology and innovation, companies can ensure the efficiency of their operations, control their costs and move towards a more sustainable and resilient future. A thorough understanding of the types of critical inputs, the challenges in managing them, and effective technology-supported strategies to address them is essential to remain competitive in a dynamic, global marketplace.