Velrada were engaged to develop an OT/IT Strategy for a greenfields mining operation which aligned to developing business imperatives and ICT technology directions. This would require actively considering the inclusion of new technologies and operational models (e.g. remote operations), with the intention of future-proofing the site investments and creating a design approach and framework to maximise OT/IT benefits realisation.

Fundamental decisions to include new IT and Operational Technologies (OT), would not only impact on overall project cost, but could change the operating philosophy of the business so it was critical to demonstrate domain expertise and deliver a comprehensive framework for options development and assessment. A core part of the approach was to ensure Velrada and the clients company’s teams operated as one and developed a shared vision for the OT/IT strategy in the context of the broader business.

Over the course of a six month engagement, Velrada worked closely with the senior engineering team and ICT stakeholders to create a Basis of Design, which was then refined to develop a technology and operational options list. Further research was undertaken and a final list developed for assessment by the corporate executive. Primed with current state thinking and developed in parallel with the options and recommendations a reference architecture was created to inform a detailed portfolio planning phase and consolidation of recommendations, with the final output of a comprehensive business case for project funding and a detailed, phased delivery plan.