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From exploration to reclamation: Cybersecurity strategies for the mining lifecycle

Explore the critical cyber risks at every stage of the mining lifecycle and discover effective strategies to safeguard your operations from potential threats.

23/06/2025 · 5 minute read

As mining companies increasingly integrate digital technologies into their operations, it is important to acknowledge that cyber risks affect all stages of the mining lifecycle, from exploration to reclamation. Understanding cyber risks and their potential impacts on daily operations and long-term success is crucial when developing an effective cybersecurity strategy.

Below outlines various cyber risks that may exist throughout the mining lifecycle and their potential impacts on mining safety, security, and success, offering mining leaders insights to proactively address their vulnerabilities.

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In the early stages of exploration, several key cyber risks can emerge, such as:

  • Unauthorised access to exploration data and intellectual property, including site acquisition data, can potentially lead to a loss of competitive advantage or acquisition opportunities. Exposure of sensitive information can also result in financial and reputational damage.
  • Unauthorised access to, manipulation, disruption, or sabotage of exploration equipment and sensors, including geographic information systems (GIS) or remote sensing equipment, can lead to inaccurate data collection, flawed decision-making, and financial losses. It can also cause delays in exploration activities and increased costs due to equipment damage.

As projects move into site preparation, new cyber vulnerabilities can arise related to the use of control systems and equipment, including:

  • Unauthorised access to, manipulation of, and/or tampering with control systems for site preparation equipment can lead to disruption of site preparation activities, causing delays in project timelines and increased costs.
  • Operational disruptions and potential safety hazards brought on by unauthorised access and manipulation of control systems can create dangerous situations for miners.
  • Increased maintenance and repair costs as a result of equipment tampering can lead to delays in operations if equipment prematurely fails or needs extensive repair.

The extraction phase, which is heavily reliant on digital control and monitoring, can present significant cyber risks, including:

  • Unauthorised access to and manipulation of control systems for mining equipment, including GPS, monitoring, or fleet management systems, can lead to downtime and production losses.
  • Potential loss or manipulation of critical mining data can impact decision-making and overall operational efficiency.
  • Safety hazards and potential accidents may increase and negatively impact miners due to unauthorised access and manipulation of control systems on operational equipment.

The processing of extracted materials can also introduce cyber vulnerabilities within control systems and data management, such as:

  • Malware or ransomware attacks targeting processing systems can cause significant operational disruptions and financial losses.
  • Unauthorised access to sensitive processing data can lead to potential intellectual property theft or manipulation.
  • Unauthorised access to, manipulation, disruption, or sabotage of control systems for processing equipment, including metallurgical accounting systems, can lead to quality issues and production delays.
  • Decreased product quality and potential financial losses can result from equipment disruption or sabotage.

The movement of critical minerals introduces cyber risks related to both data and control systems, including:

  • Data breaches or theft of sensitive transportation information such as shipping schedules or routes may lead to security risks and financial and reputational damage.
  • Unauthorised access to and manipulation of control systems for transportation infrastructure can lead to accidents or disruptions in transportation operations.
  • Tampering with transportation systems can cause delays or safety hazards.
  • Delays in mineral transportation and potential financial losses, including theft of assets, may significantly impact operations.

Even the final stage of the mining lifecycle is not immune to cyber risks, which can include:

  • Unauthorised access to reclamation systems can lead to environmental damage or disruption of restoration efforts and potential legal and regulatory consequences.
  • Data breaches or theft of sensitive reclamation data such as land remediation plans can lead to security risks and financial and reputational damage.
  • Unauthorised access to, manipulation, disruption, or sabotage of control systems for reclamation equipment can result in ineffective or improper restoration efforts and delays in restoration activities.

While seemingly less directly operational, these areas are also susceptible to cyber risks, such as:

  • Cyberattacks targeting marketing and sales systems can disrupt sales processes and impact revenue and customer satisfaction.
  • Unauthorised access to pricing and contract information may lead to potential financial losses or competitive disadvantages.
  • Potential loss or compromise of customer and financial data can result in financial and reputational damage and potential crime/transfers.

By understanding and acknowledging these cyber risks at each stage of the mining lifecycle, your company can develop more targeted and effective cybersecurity measures to protect your operations, assets, and reputation throughout its entire value chain.

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