According to the top-priority trends and challenges in the mineral sector, and as per the mining science strategy, it is highly critical to arrange enhanced control, prediction and safety of production objects and their functioning for the preservation of automation sustainability. Improved control of databases, regulatory bonds, management, logistics and principles of sustainable development in mining makes it possible to reduce technological deviations and accidents at large mining and processing plants. Most procedural violations and accidents in surface and underground mines occur because of the unskilled actions of process flow operators. Damage in this case can be considerable, especially as compared with the expenses connected with qualitative training and persistent development of personnel engaged with supervisory control and data acquisition for the efficient operation of SCADA-systems within the automation framework of mining and processing plants. Definition of digital systems and their interrelation with multilevel automated control can be incorrect. The review of new principles can awaken interest in the conceptual assessment of digitalization processes using such notions as: numerical models, simulator, and artificial intel-ligence. Often applied formulations and principles of a digital model are substituted without justification of functional connections. On the other hand, a digital system today can be assumed as robotic lines and other numerical models and smart technologies, for instance, machining sta-tions with numerical program control. It is necessary to define the practical significance of conceptual modifications and digital transformation regarding objects of the mineral sector, using Big Data; to understand how a digital twin can influence a changeable process situation; to provide prompt prediction; to eliminate an accident; and to preserve the physical balance in the whole production system. Such intelligent and flexible productions particularly need computer-based simulators and digital twins based on technologies of Industry 4.0–extended and virtual reality on the basis of digital twins. Digital twins allow maximal simulation of real-life activity of process flow operators. The skills acquired by personnel after such simulation training enable operators to master the optimized procedure for functioning in emergency situations in mineral mining and processing. This paper exemplifies the remote training and control of process flows, which is of concern in the current international situation.

The energy and its entire related infrastructure are the main drivers for a economic development and for ensuring a good level of employment. As part of a global study about international energy sector, we evaluate here the impact of technological changes on the state of the energy infrastructure. This study includes a detailed analysis of the global challenges facing the energy industry. We propose scenarios for the development of a modernized energy infrastructure with an assessment of the entire energy system. Our evaluation indicators are chosen in terms of the reliability of the energy infrastructure, of its quality, of the accidents that may happen and of the consequent environmental risks. This study is particularly adapted for forecasting the necessary measures (of technical nature, of governance kind) that have to be implemented to reduce the acceleration of the infrastructure deterioration rate. Our results reveal that the use of digital and information technologies has many positive impacts on the development and on the control of an efficient consumption of energy. In addition, our predictions, due to the further modernization of the energy sector, can contribute and help in the creation of preconditions that will be highly stimulating and profitable to the growth of investments in the energy infrastructure.

A lot of researchers are developing new DEM parameters calibration approaches based on an experiment plan or the use of learning algorithms. This research is aimed at improving iterative algorithms frequently used for calibration. The big time consumption as a main problem of iterative algorithms is questioned. It is proposed to use Random forest algorithm to determine DEM parameters impact on the measured bulk responses. Measured responses are the parameters obtained by image processing using a technical vision system. As a result of 200 experiments processing, DEM parameters impact values on each bulk response were generated and presented as histograms. Obtained results were interpreted on the basis of the bulk material behavior and its physical properties. There is a discussion on the possibility of developing a universal DEM parameters calibration method based on the iterative algorithm.