MineWarp

MineWarp with Empie Strydom

Welcome to the MineWarp Podcast where global thought leaders discuss mining's digital transformation with your host Empie Strydom. We talk with the INNOVATORS pushing the boundaries of what is possible, the INVESTORS funding them, the IGNITORS bringing new technology to the market, and the mining IMPLEMENTORS ultimately unlocking business value through innovation. #Mining #LetsTalkDigital #MineWarp

  1. 3h ago

    S2E024 David Hallett, Sandvik VP Automation: Unlocking 15% Productivity Leap with AutoMine® Aura

    Twenty years after introducing AutoMine®, @SandvikMining1 didn't just update the platform, they rebuilt it from the ground up. In this episode of MineWarp, David Hallett, VP of Automation at Sandvik Mining, explains why a "next version" wasn't enough and what AutoMine® Aura actually changes: A shift from 2D to 3D perception, AI-assisted muck pile detection for autonomous loading, faster mapping and deployment, and a benchmarked 15%+ productivity gain over the legacy system at @GlencoreVideos's George Fisher Mine. We also dig into Sandvik's OEM-agnostic strategy following the 2024 acquisition of Universal Field Robots, how AutoMine® now integrates with the Deswik digital suite (OPS for task allocation, ORB for block cave draw optimization), the real gap between surface and underground automation maturity, and why David thinks AI is still underestimated while quantum computing is overhyped - for now.Topics covered: Why Sandvik built an entirely new automation platform instead of upgrading AutoMine®Surface vs underground automation: the communications bottleneck and how underground is catching upThe automation maturity ladder - from assistive features to fully autonomous fleetsGoing OEM-agnostic: the Universal Field Robots acquisition and mixed-fleet realityAutoMine® Aura results at Glencore's George Fisher mine: 15%+ productivity gain in stoping2D to 3D sensing, faster mapping kits, and reduced deployment timeIntegrating automation with mine planning: Deswik OPS and ORBSafety: 9 million+ LTI-free hours and the shift toward mixed manual-autonomous zonesThe skills gap, deeper deposits, and why automation is becoming a necessity, not an optionRapid fire: most overhyped (quantum computing) and most underestimated (AI) tech in mining automation

    S2E024 David Hallett, Sandvik VP Automation: Unlocking 15% Productivity Leap with AutoMine® Aura

  2. Jul 8

    S2E22 Geraldo Dutra Neto: Building Easymine - Two Decades of Mining Technology Innovation in Brazil

    What exactly is a Fleet Management System, and why do so many mines still struggle to turn operational data into better decisions?In this episode of MineWarp, Empie Strydom is joined by Geraldo Dutra Neto, CEO of Easymine, and Danilo Ongaro, BVerified Value verification partner and experienced automation & industrial technology specialist from Brazil.Together they unpack the evolution of mining fleet management from basic equipment tracking to integrated operational intelligence platforms that connect production, planning, maintenance and decision-making.The discussion explores how modern mining technology is moving beyond simply collecting data toward automating data capture, reducing human error, and enabling faster, more accurate operational decisions.The conversation also examines the relationship between people and technology, the realities of autonomous mining, the challenges of implementing digital systems in operating mines, and why successful transformation depends just as much on people and process as it does on software.In this episode:💠What a Fleet Management System really is💠Why most mines struggle with data quality💠The journey from dispatch systems to operational intelligence💠Automation versus human decision-making💠Lessons from Brazilian mining operations💠The future of autonomous mining💠Why technology projects fail without people buy-in💠How Easymine approaches mining digital transformation

    S2E22 Geraldo Dutra Neto: Building Easymine - Two Decades of Mining Technology Innovation in Brazil

  3. Jun 9

    S2E23 From Trial-and-Error to Virtual Twins: Simulating and Mining | Michelle Ash (SIMULIA)

    Mining has always been a physical industry. When we want to test a new idea, we often install equipment, modify a process, and see what happens. But what if we could test those decisions before touching the operation? In this episode of MineWarp, Empie Strydom sits down with Michelle Ash, CEO of SIMULIA at Dassault Systèmes and one of the mining industry's most respected technology leaders. Michelle explains how engineering simulation, virtual twins, AI, and physics-based modelling are changing the way companies design, optimize, and operate complex systems. Drawing on more than 30 years of mining experience, from blasting engineer to executive leadership roles at BHP, Barrick, MMG, Oz Minerals and Dassault, she shares why the future belongs to digitally enabled companies that happen to produce minerals. Topics include: 1. Simulation-driven enterprises 2. Virtual twins vs traditional digital twins 3. AI and physics-based modelling 4. Why mining still relies heavily on physical experimentation 5. Democratizing simulation through cloud and automation 6. The future role of engineers 7. How virtual testing can reduce risk, cost and time-to-value 8. Opportunities for mining, energy and infrastructure industries If you are interested in mining innovation, digital transformation, engineering technology, AI, or operational excellence, this episode is for you.

    S2E23 From Trial-and-Error to Virtual Twins: Simulating and Mining | Michelle Ash (SIMULIA)

  4. May 12

    S2E20 Jason van der Watt at AVA Solutions: Advanced Fleet Intelligence for every vehicle and operation

    Mining companies have never had more operational data — yet many mines still struggle with fragmented systems, reactive decision-making, and limited real-time visibility.In this episode of MineWarp, I speak with Jason van der Watt, CEO and Co-Founder of AVA Solutions about the evolution of Fleet Management Systems (FMS), operational intelligence, and what modern mining operations actually need from digital technology.We explore: Why many FMS deployments fail to deliver operational valueThe difference between enterprise-scale and mid-tier / contract mining requirementsHow smaller mines can now access advanced operational intelligenceThe shift from siloed data toward integrated operational visibilityWhy operational adoption matters more than software featuresThe future of real-time mine optimisationThis conversation goes beyond software and dashboards — into the operational realities of modern mining and what it truly means to become data-driven.

    S2E20 Jason van der Watt at AVA Solutions: Advanced Fleet Intelligence for every vehicle and operation

  5. Mar 25

    S2E19 From Underground Mines to Mount Everest: Leadership Lessons with Dr. Jeannette McGill

    Digital mining transformation starts with connectivity—and few understand this better than Dr. Jeannette McGill.From LTE networks in mines to summiting Mount Everest, this is a story of technology, leadership, and resilience. Jeannette’s career spans underground gold mines in South Africa, digital transformation roles in global mining companies, and the deployment of LTE networks enabling autonomous mining operations. In this conversation we explore: Why connectivity is the hidden backbone of digital miningWhat it was like to be among the first women working underground in South African minesHow boards should think about technology risk and valueAnd some bonus material about the leadership lessons learned from climbing Mount Everest! Don't miss this fascinating discussion about technology, resilience, and long-term ambition in the mining industry.#MineWarp #mininginnovation #LTE in Mining

    S2E19 From Underground Mines to Mount Everest: Leadership Lessons with Dr. Jeannette McGill

  6. Mar 10

    S2E18 Extreme Grades, Extreme Complexity: Mining Nickel in the Arctic. Andrei Gritsenko

    In this episode of MineWarp, we explore one of the most extraordinary mining regions on Earth — the Talnakh ore cluster near Norilsk in the Russian Arctic.Our guest Andrei Gritesenko explains why these deposits are among the richest nickel-copper-platinum group metal resources ever discovered — and why that richness creates its own operational challenge.We discuss: The geology of the Siberian Traps that formed these massive sulfide depositsThe Talnakh, Oktyabrsky, Taymyrsky and Skalisty mines, extending more than 2 km undergroundWhy grade control becomes extremely difficult in high-grade, highly variable ore bodiesHow small mistakes in ore/waste boundaries can destroy valueThe unique challenge of mining complex orebodies deep inside the Arctic CircleThis episode highlights how geology, data, and operational discipline intersect in one of the most strategically important mining districts in the world.

    S2E18 Extreme Grades, Extreme Complexity: Mining Nickel in the Arctic. Andrei Gritsenko

  7. Feb 25

    S2E017 From Aerospace to Open Pits: The Digital Evolution of Mining all the way to quantum computing

    Mechanical engineer turned global mining technology leader, David Dickson traces the journey from aerospace engineering to industrial automation and quantum research.We unpack:- OT/IT convergence- The future of autonomous decision layers- The physics behind quantum computing- Why metallurgy may be one of quantum’s first industrial use cases

    S2E017 From Aerospace to Open Pits: The Digital Evolution of Mining all the way to quantum computing

  8. Feb 9

    S2E16 Maps to Meaning: Building Spatial Intelligence Platforms for Mining - Edward Murray @ iGlobe

    In this episode of MineWarp, Empie Strydom speaks with Edward Murray, CEO of iGlobe, about how spatial data has evolved from maps and CAD into a core decision-making platform for modern mining.Edward shares his entrepreneurial journey, from early GIS and surveying work through building, selling, and rebuilding technology businesses, and explains why bespoke mining solutions eventually fail at scale. The conversation dives into platform thinking, drones and sensors, real-time data, AI, and why spatial context is essential for turning disconnected datasets into trusted, living assets.Challenging the idea that mining is slow to adopt technology, Edward argues that the industry is now one of the most advanced digital adopters—and offers a forward-looking view on AI, connectivity in Africa, and what the next decade of mining technology could look like.

    S2E16 Maps to Meaning: Building Spatial Intelligence Platforms for Mining - Edward Murray @ iGlobe
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About

Welcome to the MineWarp Podcast where global thought leaders discuss mining's digital transformation with your host Empie Strydom. We talk with the INNOVATORS pushing the boundaries of what is possible, the INVESTORS funding them, the IGNITORS bringing new technology to the market, and the mining IMPLEMENTORS ultimately unlocking business value through innovation. #Mining #LetsTalkDigital #MineWarp

Information

  • Creator
    MineWarp with Empie Strydom
  • Years Active
    2018 - 2026
  • Episodes
    96
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © MineWarp with Empie Strydom
  • Show Website
    MineWarp