The continuous mining method is an improvement on the block caving method of underground mining technology.

FORBES: Continuous Mining To Help Chile Extend Mine Life, Save Money

So much of the rationale in having a CIO take on another area of responsibilities is the need for process improvement in the new area, or the need to leverage technology better in the new area, or to identify ways in which setting standards or centralizing to a greater degree might reduce costs.

FORBES: CIO-plus Series: Interview with Karl Salnoske, the EVP of Service Delivery and CIO of GXS