Making Mines Safer with Google Cloud

Automating Document Management for Improved Risk Management

Anglo American’s existing document management system relied heavily on manual data capture, which was time-consuming and prone to errors. To address this, we developed a solution that automated the extraction of data from scanned documents, including handwritten text and various safety checklists. By leveraging Google Cloud's Vision API, we were able to digitise these documents quickly and accurately, transforming them into actionable data.

Leveraging Google Cloud for Scalability and Real-Time Processing

The solution’s architecture was built using Google Cloud’s robust infrastructure, including Google App Engine Standard and Google Kubernetes Engine, ensuring scalability and real-time processing capabilities. We also integrated a Redis database and Django Rest Framework API to manage the data pipeline seamlessly, providing Anglo American with a fast, reliable, and automated system that significantly reduced the time spent on manual data entry.

Expanding the Solution Across Global Mining Operations

The success of the solution was initially demonstrated at two mines in South Africa, leading to its adoption by 12 additional Anglo American mines in the region. The streamlined process improved risk management and enhanced mine safety by enabling faster hazard response times. Recognising the benefits, Anglo American planned further expansion, implementing the solution at three mines in Chile, with a global rollout to 40 mines in the pipeline.