02 Sep 2026
Mining and Metals
Why data quality is the real AI challenge in the mining industry
Insights
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Artificial intelligence (AI) is playing an increasingly important role in the mining industry. Predictive maintenance for critical equipment, energy optimization, improved metallurgical recovery, asset monitoring and process anomaly detection are just a few of the many applications with significant potential benefits.However, when an AI project fails to deliver the expected results, the problem rarely lies with the algorithms themselves.In our experience, the main obstacles are usually related to data quality, availability and structure. Even the most sophisticated models cannot produce reliable recommendations if the data they rely on is incomplete, inconsistent or difficult to use.Before we talk about artificial intelligence, we first need to talk about data.
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03 Mar 2021Power and RenewablesIndustrial control system (ICS) cybersecurity risk methodology webinar
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José Alvarado, P.Eng., GICSP
Director, ICS Cybersecurity
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02 Mar 2021Mining and MetalsMining dam safety review
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22 Feb 2021Power and RenewablesA piecemeal 4.0 approach? Really?
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Jean-François Beaulieu
Director, Digital Consultant
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09 Feb 2021Mining and MetalsFlow issues in silos and bins
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08 Feb 2021Power and RenewablesIn the mining and construction sectors, the drilling and blasting process is typically considered the most efficient and cost-effective way to fragment rock. Despite this, the same mechanisms that render this process highly efficient can also result in unwanted impacts on surface and underground infrastructures, the environment and local communities.A procedural overview of urban or sensitive-area blasting practices-
Riccardo Del Bosco, P.Eng.
Senior Engineer, Mining and Geology
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01 Feb 2021Power and RenewablesExcitation system upgrades: make the right choice!
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Léo Roy, P.Eng.
Senior Engineer, Electrical
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25 Jan 2021Power and RenewablesDesign and commissioning of a massive IEC61850 multivendor substation automation project: a twisted path
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22 Jan 2021Other IndustriesMigrating a distributed control system (DCS)
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14 Jan 2021Power and RenewablesEnvironmental considerations for dam decommissioning – Part 1: Sediment management
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07 Jan 2021Power and RenewablesWhile cybersecurity risks and concerns are not new to industrial operations and critical infrastructure, there has been a huge increase in cyber attacks and breaches over the last few years. This increase is being driven by several complex factors, such as the Internet of Things (IoT), Industry 4.0, legacy devices, open source hacking tools and a general lack of cybersecurity maturity for industrial control system (ICS) environments, just to name a few. This blog article reviews a few options to consider as cybersecurity tools for local access management of ICS devices (e.g., protection relays, RTUs, PLCs, HMIs, etc.). Access management of ICS devices can be challenging due to a variety of factors, such as the sheer volume of end devices, travel time to remote locations, management of third-party contractors and maintenance personnel, and the lack of dedicated resources to manage appropriate access.Local access of ICS devices: a cybersecurity perspective
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Shayne Casavant, P.Eng.
Senior Engineer, ICS Cybersecurity
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09 Dec 2020Power and RenewablesSegmenting a network for increased reliability and security
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09 Dec 2020Power and RenewablesCybersecurity tool integration challenges with IEDS in digital power systems
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Shayne Casavant, P.Eng.
Senior Engineer, ICS Cybersecurity
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03 Dec 2020Power and RenewablesThe importance of hydrogeology when building infrastructures
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02 Dec 2020Other IndustriesManufacturing execution system: one step closer to Industry 4.0
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Branko Radulovic, P.Eng.
Senior Engineer, Operational Technology and Infrastructure
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24 Nov 2020Power and RenewablesBBA’s Occupational Health and Safety team is pleased to provide this blog article on managing your level of energy at work and the importance of taking breaks, even during peak periods. Although working long hours in a row can help you catch up on a considerable amount of work, it can also have negative effects on your health, safety and personal life, in addition to affecting your productivity. That’s why it’s important to stick to your limits, because exceeding them can result in overall fatigue, which decreases concentration and makes you more vulnerable to occupational accidents.Perform without burning out
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13 Nov 2020Power and RenewablesThe purpose and importance of a contingency analysis
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James Alarcon
Principal Estimator, Project Management Services
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12 Nov 2020Mining and Metals2D river modelling with USACE HEC_RAS 5.0.7: simulation for operation, flood events and dam breaks
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Mina Shahraki, P.Eng., P.E.
Department Manager, Civil
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10 Nov 2020Power and RenewablesRailway tracks: overview of electrical interference
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Éric Breault, P.Eng.
Senior Engineer, Electrical - Power Systems, Protection and Control
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29 Oct 2020Power and RenewablesDo you know how to protect your industrial structures against fire?
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Monika Rybarova, P.Eng., M.A.Sc., P.M.P.
Principal Engineer, Structural
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27 Oct 2020Power and RenewablesVirtualization has come a long way over the years and has become the standard in production systems. Protecting virtualization systems and, by extension, the production system, requires a robust network architecture capable of overcoming all emergency situations like power outages, fires or equipment failures. Hyperconvergence is a great way to ensure the resilience needed to protect virtualization and storage systems in the production system.Prevent production downtime with hyperconvergence
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Michaël Racine
Telecommunications and Networking Analyst
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22 Oct 2020Power and RenewablesMachine learning: a powerful asset for better use of your data
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Arbi Bouchoucha, Ph.D.
Advanced Data Analyst
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21 Oct 2020Power and RenewablesWorking at altitudes and good OHS practices
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Sylvain Boily, P.Eng., M.B.A., P.M.P.
Commissioning Manager, Operational Readiness and Commissioning
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13 Oct 2020Mining and Metals3D video: an essential tool for mining and industrial projets
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Marie-France Proulx, P.Eng., M.A.Sc., P.M.P.
Senior Engineer, Earth and Infrastructure
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09 Oct 2020Power and RenewablesWorld Mental Health Day: staying the course with proven strategies to combat stress
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01 Oct 2020Power and RenewablesPlant and industrial managers are becoming increasingly aware of the importance of alarm management. The most common criticism is that the number of alarms is exceeding industry standards, such as ISA 18.2, EMMUA 191 and IEC 62682. When there are deviations from standards, it’s typically advised to perform a rationalization by addressing the most prevalent alarms (bad actors) or to resort to a more comprehensive rationalization process using a document detailing the alarm management philosophy. But is such a service more than just cosmetic? Will it really make a difference to reduce alarms? After all, the plant has probably already been operating for a long time, despite the alarms, however frequent they may be. This blog article is intended to highlight the merits of effective alarm management, but also to demonstrate the potential cost of excessive alarms.Good alarm management pays off
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Maxym Lachance, P.Eng.
Senior Engineer, Process Control and Operational Technology
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30 Sep 2020Power and RenewablesIndustry 4.0 audit: where to start for successful digital transformation
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10 Sep 2020Power and RenewablesRemote inspections: a flexible and economic solution
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Mathieu Brochu
Visual simulation specialist
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01 Sep 2020Mining and MetalsDesigning foundations to support rotating machines on unfavourable soil conditions
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13 Aug 2020Mining and MetalsNoises and vibrations in quarries and sandpits: regulatory overview
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Sabine Butler, P.Eng., M.A.Sc.
Engineer, Environmental Engineering
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24 Jul 2020Other IndustriesIt can be challenging for decision-makers to operate an existing plant, to start up a plant or to integrate a new process. These challenges include risks associated with odour and social acceptability, which are sometimes overlooked. However, nearly 70% of citizen complaints about air quality are odour-related. So, it is important to carefully plan operations, as poor odour emissions management can lead to complaints, inspections from the Ministère de l’Environnement or the Lutte contre les changements climatiques and even lawsuits.FIDOR: a practical tool for assessing odour emission risks
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David Giard, P.Eng., M.Sc.
Senior Engineer, Environmental Engineering
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