Gold Fields has taken a groundbreaking step by migrating its entire SAP and treasury systems to Amazon Web Services (AWS), challenging the mining industry’s traditional reluctance to adopt cloud solutions.
Strini Mudaly, Group ICT Vice President at Gold Fields, highlighted this bold move at the AWS Summit, describing it as a “risk-adjusted people approach,” where the company entrusts data management to specialists who can deliver maximum value.
Historically, mining companies have been cautious about off-site data storage due to concerns over security and the intricate nature of their operations. However, Gold Fields has bucked this trend, fully embracing AWS to modernize its technology infrastructure.
This strategic partnership with AWS goes beyond simple data migration. It integrates advanced analytics, machine learning (ML), and generative artificial intelligence (AI) capabilities, laying the foundation for future innovations aimed at improving operational efficiency, enhancing workplace safety, and enabling data-driven decision-making.
“AWS is helping us modernize our infrastructure, improve governance, and drive cost efficiencies,” Mudaly explained. “We chose AWS as our cloud provider based on its proven operational experience at scale and its commitment to innovation. We’re excited to continue our journey with AWS, leveraging its expertise and cutting-edge solutions to transform our business.”
Leadership and Strategic Changes
This major technological shift coincides with significant leadership changes at Gold Fields. Over the past ten months, the company has appointed a new CEO and COO and is currently in the process of selecting a new CFO. Additionally, Gold Fields has streamlined its operations by eliminating regional management layers, allowing for a more direct and efficient business-to-asset approach.
Despite these changes, Mudaly remains confident in the company’s direction. “With these changes, we’ll work harder, but they’ve been beneficial, particularly in sharpening our strategy and speeding up deployment,” Mudaly said. “Simplifying complex technology and communicating its benefits is always challenging, but our team is dedicated to making it understandable and impactful for the company.”
Global Data Transition
The migration, which spanned three continents, was facilitated by Deloitte in partnership with Gold Fields and AWS. Aasif Karachi, Director and Africa AWS Leader at Deloitte Consulting, emphasized the meticulous approach taken during the transition.
“By assembling a multi-disciplinary team of experts, we ensured that every aspect of the migration—from data privacy and regulatory compliance to technology—was handled with precision,” Karachi said in a media statement. “Leveraging AWS’s secure and scalable infrastructure, this migration has reduced operational costs and enhanced data processing speeds, all while upholding Gold Fields’ strong governance and risk management standards.”
Chris Erasmus, AWS Country General Manager, highlighted the broader impact of this collaboration on the mining industry. “Our work with Gold Fields demonstrates the transformative power of cloud technology,” he said. “By migrating its critical SAP systems to AWS, Gold Fields is now positioned to unlock the full potential of its internal data, applying advanced analytics and machine learning.”
Pioneering a New Era in Mining
With its SAP systems now fully operational on AWS, Gold Fields is exploring new ways to harness technology and data insights to support its future business strategy. The company is also utilizing AWS’s Industrial Data Fabric and generative AI capabilities to enhance data management practices and drive safety and process improvements in an industry that is constantly evolving.
“We’re doing this to create tangible value from our data,” Mudaly explained. “We have a requirement to comply with laws in all the regions we operate, but we also have our own goals for better utilizing our data. AWS provided the tools we needed to achieve that.”
This move not only sets a new standard in the mining industry but also highlights Gold Fields’ commitment to innovation and its vision for the future. By leveraging AWS, Gold Fields is not just modernizing its operations but also paving the way for a more efficient, safe, and data-driven future in mining.
