Mining is one of the most dangerous occupations in the world. According to research by the Lloyd’s Register, one in five people in the sector was harmed at work in the past two years. The worst loss of lives in recent years include the 2024 landslide at a jade mine in Myanmar, which killed 200 workers. A coal mine explosion in Turkey in the same year, killed at least 41 miners.  

Assessing and mitigating risks can be challenging. Insurers, for example, insure a mining operation, by setting insurance premiums through risk assessments.  

Highly specialised underwriters, supported by safety experts, such as Hawcroft International, evaluate operational, financial, environmental, and geopolitical risks to determine the potential for loss and the appropriate cover. 

While translating content with Google or Copilot can seem like a solution, these tools introduce risks in mining environments. Recognising this, major global engineering clients like Sandvik, ICMM, and Thomas Telford have chosen GAI Translate to ensure their communications are precise and clear across all languages.  

As the first language tech company to join ABMEC, GAI distinguishes itself from generic translators by being trained on a proprietary data lake for mining that is rigorously verified by industry experts. Additionally, GAI offers the capability to create customised small language models (SLMs) tailored to a company’s specific domain and operational needs. 

In this article, we detail eight ways that GAI mitigates your risks in mining.

1. Preventing operational failures due to manual misinterpretation

Equipment malfunctions or devastating accidents often stem from employees misinterpreting Operations & Maintenance (O&M) manuals, technical specifications, or critical safety procedures. Generic AI translation can, as we’ve seen, invent or misrepresent highly specific components, leading to catastrophic outcomes and insurance claim refusals. 

• GAI solutions: Our AI + human expert review and mining-focused vocabulary ensure that engineering terms, geological strata names, machine parts, and chemical warnings are translated with verified, unparalleled precision.  

2. Protecting your Social License to Operate (SLO) through flawless community engagement

Breakdown of trust and project disruption can easily be caused by mistranslation of Environmental Impact Assessments (EIAs), community agreements, or public consultation documents for local stakeholders, including indigenous groups. 

• GAI solutions: verification and cultural adaptation of translations by certified linguists with industry credentials, ensure that all communications are not just accurate, but also appropriately nuanced and resonate across regions, proactively evidencing transparency and fulfilling crucial ESG obligations. 

3. Avoiding legal and regulatory fines with certified compliance

Non-compliance with the host country’s diverse laws or permit requirements due to poor or uncertified translation of legal documents and reporting. This can lead to massive fines, costly project delays, or even license revocation. 

• GAI solution: our one-click certification provides auditable, legally defensible proof of accuracy for all required regulatory filings, contracts, and compliance reports, minimising legal exposure and ensuring global adherence. 

4. Enhancing supply chain and contractor safety liability

Accidents and liability claims frequently arise from non-local contractors failing to fully understand on-site safety briefings, contractor protocols, or hazard warnings due to language barriers. 

• GAI solution: our scalable and customisable engine allows for rapid, consistent translation of all localised safety materials into the native languages of all site personnel. This drastically improves the standard of safety compliance and reduces liability across your entire supply chain. 

5. Ensuring accuracy in multijurisdictional financial reporting and audits

Inaccurate financial reporting, tax filings, or internal audit reports generated across multiple operational territories due to inconsistent translation of complex accounting standards and specific financial terminology. 

• GAI solution: our highly secure, Custom Engine can be seamlessly Integrated into Existing Systems to consistently translate large volumes of sensitive financial documentation using precise, approved corporate terminology. This ensures unwavering accuracy for auditors and builds trust with investors. 

6. Eliminating compromised data security during translation workflows

Leaks of proprietary geological data, exploration results, or confidential financial information when companies resort to using unsecured, public-domain machine translation tools for internal analysis or sharing. 

• GAI solution: our ISO:27001 certified security controls and Microsoft enterprise stack are built to eliminate the risk of exposing sensitive mining data to public AI models, rigorously protecting your intellectual property and giving you the strategic advantage. 

7. Enabling rapid response to critical emergency situations

Delays in incident reporting or emergency response caused by slow translation turnaround for critical communications between the mine site, corporate headquarters, and local emergency services. In mining, every minute counts. 

• GAI solution: our quick turnaround time and robust, scalable engine allow for the immediate, accurate translation of real-time operational alerts and emergency communications, accelerating decision-making when the situation is most critical. 

8. Achieving consistent and high-quality workforce training

Incidents causing serious injury carry big penalties. For instance, a £3.6m fine was imposed on a potash mine in the UK, after two electricians suffered severe burns following arc flashes in 2016 and 2019.  

When English is a second language for workers, training materials that are poorly translated cause confusion. This leads to inconsistent skills and a less effective workforce. 

• GAI solution: Industry Expert Verification ensures all training curricula, e-learning modules, and worker competency tests are translated with consistent, clear terminology. This guarantees maximum retention, safety effectiveness, and a uniformly skilled workforce. 

GAI Translate is your strategic partner for the mining sector. By mitigating these communication risks, you empower your operations to be safer, more compliant, and ultimately, more profitable. 

Contact us today to discover how GAI can help you de-risk your mining operations.