In 2017, Capgemini Invent and Eramet began working together to develop the use of artificial intelligence in all the Eramet Group’s mining and metallurgical activities. Their aim was to improve productivity, commercial performance and metal recovery to speed up the Group’s energy and environmental transition. The programme set up enabled them to win the Data & Technology prize in the Syntec Conseil 2020 Grand Prix.
The ‘Grand Prix Syntec Conseil’ rewards the strategic benefits of the consulting profession. This year, the programme co-developed by Capgemini Invent and Eramet won the award. It was highlighted because it uses AI to optimise the mining and metallurgical group’s industrial processes and thus contribute to better production to serve the ecological and energy transition. At the heart of the agreement is the optimal use of data generated by the information systems, drones and connected sensors present in large numbers on the Group’s 39 industrial sites worldwide.
The project covers Eramet’s entire value chain, whether it involves optimising the energy mix of facilities, selectively extracting ore to ensure sustainable resource use or predicting industrial risks in real time. Here are a few examples:
- In Norway and New Caledonia, metallurgists in Eramet’s high-temperature furnaces are taking advantage of AI by analysing predictive information on production quality and economic performance, with the aim of increasing manganese and nickel alloy production.
- In Sweden, Erasteel, a subsidiary of Eramet, a pioneer in powder metallurgy, is deploying an application to optimise the time it takes to make high-performance steels available to customers.
- In Gabon, a new solution is being validated by Setrag, the Eramet subsidiary in charge of operating the national railway, to predict track wear phenomena in order to optimise maintenance.
- In Senegal, studies are in progress to improve the mining process to make it more agile through data science-related approaches.
The project was recently enhanced by the setting up of a “Data Factory” made up of around 50 experts from Eramet and Capgemini Invent. Eramet is thus consolidating its positioning in the service of ecological transition through the collective construction of innovative solutions for responsible, sustainable production, a priority for the Group.
Ludovic Donati, Director of Digital Transformation for the Eramet Group, says :
“Since 2017, Eramet has been transforming itself with a clear vision of the industry of the future: intelligent, connected, safe and responsible mines and plants for people and natural resources. We have put digital transformation and digital intelligence at the heart of our performance. The first results can be seen in the productivity of our mines and plants. Capgemini Invent’s partner teams are working with us over the long term to co-construct a high-performance data strategy that is adapted to the challenges of our rapidly changing industry. Our ambition is to go even further in the control of our data that gives agile players a competitive advantage and this award encourages us to do so. »
Mathieu Dougados, Executive Director of Capgemini Invent in France, adds :
“We are proud to support the Eramet Group in this ambitious programme to transform its mining and metallurgical activities by drawing on our in-depth knowledge of the sector and our world-renowned expertise in data and Artificial Intelligence. This partnership with Eramet, a flagship of French industry, is emblematic of what Capgemini Invent wants to bring to its customers and its teams: an end-to-end digital transformation with data as the driving force and a permanent results-oriented co-construction approach. »
Translated from Le prix ‘Data & Technologie’ du Grand Prix Syntec Conseil recompense le programme Data et IA de Capgemini Invent et Eramet
