Anglo American has claimed that its innovative new mine design laboratory will pave the way for safer and more environmentally-friendly mining in the future.

The company has provided R9 million in funding to help bring its Mine 2030 vision to fruition through the creation of a new facility at Wits University in South Africa.

Boasting 100 networked personal computers, the laboratory is capable of projecting data on to large screens which can improve dialogue between lecturers and students, Mining Weekly Online reports.

Norman Mbazima, Chairman of the Anglo Chairman's Fund, explained that the new offering will allow the mining conglomerate to reduce fatalities at its operations in the future.

"Our Mine of 2030 will seek to move as many people as possible out of harm's way," he said in an interview with the news provider.

A similar view was outlined by Group Head of Mining Bill Abel, who noted that the company is looking to become a "fully-automated, zero-impact organisation" in the next 20 years.

The laboratory is expected to produce a new raft of mining engineers, while also providing advances in alternative energy solutions to reduce the firm's carbon footprint.

"There is no other mine design facility like this anywhere else in the world," added Bekir Genc, a lecturer at Wits University.

Anglo American's platinum vehicle, Anglo Platinum, is responsible for about 40 per cent of the world's production of the precious metal.

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Anglo gives glimpse of Mine 2030 vision as it funds world-first Wits mine lab (29/11/10)

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