Mining without miners? Reflections from a mining engineering student

🚜⚡ The paradox of fleet assignment in mining Today, most mining sites still operate with traditional FMS systems (Modular, Hexagon, MineStar, Wenco). They are robust for truck dispatching and delay recording, but they continue to reduce operations to “queues and routes.” The problem is that mining operations are multivariable and dynamic: Shovel–truck interaction, micro-delays, blending, weather, road conditions, operator and equipment performance, among many others. Without that real understanding, analysis keeps arriving in post-mortem reports. Meanwhile, we keep adding safety layers: collision avoidance, fatigue, drowsiness systems. All of them critical, yes… but each sold as a separate module, at costs that far exceed mass-market technologies. Here’s the paradox: 👉 A Tesla or a BYD already comes from the factory with proximity control, automatic braking, driver fatigue monitoring, and assisted driving. 👉 In mining, each of these features is paid for as a separate system—more expensive and less integrated. Mining companies pursue productivity, yet at the same time avoid testing new decision layers that could actually model operations as a living system. In the end, it’s like fighting Goliath: David didn’t win by having a more expensive system, but by using a smarter and more efficient solution. The real question is: are we still just dispatching… or are we starting to understand the operation?

Exploration is the foundation of mining, but raw drilling data alone does not generate value. Without the right tools, information remains scattered and uncertain. With GEOVIA Surpac, exploration data is transformed into structured knowledge: lithologies can be visualized, geological labels displayed, and mineral grades—whether in polymetallic deposits, coal, or gemstones—analyzed with clarity. This type of early-stage analysis not only reduces geological risk but also builds the confidence required to support efficient mine planning and sustainable decision-making. At VIAS3D, we partner with mining companies to integrate world-class solutions like Surpac into their workflows, connecting exploration, planning, and design within a unified process. If your organization is exploring ways to strengthen its technical capabilities and unlock greater value from exploration data, I would be pleased to arrange a conversation and discuss how these solutions can support your strategic objectives. Mateo Cárdenas González Geologist | Software Developer | Technical Sales Engineer – VIAS3D

The global construction and mining sectors are rapidly evolving, driven by AI, automation, and a strong focus on sustainability. While facing challenges like labor shortages, industries are innovating with green materials and securing critical minerals for the future, marking a major shift towards more efficient and eco-conscious operations worldwide. #ConstructionNews #Mining #TechInnovation #Sustainability #FutureOfIndustry #Infrastructure #GreenTech #AI #CIMReviews

🚨 Mining Autonomy: Revolution or Economic Mirage? The recent news on incidents with autonomous fleets highlights what many of us in mining already know: current autonomy was designed for Pilbara, not for deep copper deposits. 🇦🇺 In iron ore mines, with 2–3 benches, wide ramps and simple geometries, it works flawlessly. 🇨🇱 In copper, to be fair, autonomy performs reasonably well in prestripping and the first benches of exploitation, where space is wide and communication coverage is stable. It’s also true that equipment utilization improves and tire life is extended. But once extraction moves deeper, the picture changes dramatically: oversized ramps, exaggerated turning radii, and millions invested in LTE repeaters just to keep trucks “on track.” In practice, that means sacrificing NPV to sustain a technology that was never designed for this business. 🤖 Calling this a “revolution” is misleading. We don’t need trucks that follow hard-coded rules and static maps. We need systems that learn in the field: Reinforcement Learning, sensor fusion, and real-time adaptation. Autonomy that understands the operation, not autonomy that forces us to redesign it. 🇨🇳 Meanwhile, in China, 100 cabless electric autonomous trucks are already in operation, running on 5G-Advanced networks with cloud-based AI and multi-sensor fusion, delivering 20% higher efficiency than manned fleets. The paradox is clear: we sell them copper, but we don’t bring back the technology they’re already applying… and on top of that, this technology can cost half or even less than what we’re currently paying. 📉 Today’s high copper prices may cover any decision, even those that erode NPV. But if the cycle turns, those choices will come back to bite us. ❓ So the real question is: will we keep adapting our mines to the limits of current autonomy, or will we demand autonomy that finally adapts to the reality of deep copper mining?

The case for deep-sea mining is collapsing. A small number of governments and companies continue to push to open the deep sea to mining, claiming we need to mine for critical minerals and to supply the minerals needed for the green transition. But the facts tell a different story. 1️⃣ Deep-sea mining would destroy fragile ecosystems and erase cultural heritage before we’ve even had a chance to discover it. 2️⃣ A mining boom is not needed for the green transition. 3️⃣ Peer-reviewed studies confirm that DSM won’t deliver the critical minerals needed for a low-carbon future. 4️⃣ Mining companies are shifting their messaging from “green” solutions to vague appeals of security and defense. The truth? We have been options: ✅ Smarter recycling ✅ Circular economy innovation ✅ Responsible use of existing terrestrial sources Even in countries like the US, many “critical” minerals are already available, but are just being thrown away. We don’t need deep-sea mining. We need a moratorium in order to protect the deep, safeguard ocean health, uphold science and build a truly sustainable future. Want the inside scoop on deep-sea mining? Our newsletter’s got you ➡️ https://bit.ly/3K5Q1Jg #DefendTheDeep #StopTheMachines

US could mine tailings to meet crit-min demand: study The United States could meet much of its demand for critical minerals by recovering materials discarded in mining waste, according to a new study from the Colorado School of Mines. Elizabeth Holley, associate professor of mining engineering at Colorado School of Mines and lead author of the study, said additional research, development and policy incentives will be needed to make large-scale recovery worthwhile. #Mining #miningnews

Mining the Deep Sea: The Next Frontier While no commercial-scale extraction has yet taken place, the potential of deep-sea mining is enormous. Vast reserves of critical and strategic metals lie untapped beneath the ocean floor, waiting to fuel the industries of the future. Metals of Interest • Manganese – Essential in steel production and alloys. • Nickel – Critical for EV batteries and stainless steel. • Cobalt – Powers high-performance batteries, particularly for electric vehicles. • Copper – Indispensable for wiring, electronics, and renewable energy systems. • Rare Earth Elements (REEs) – Key to smartphones, wind turbines, and defense technologies. • Zinc, Lead, Silver, and Gold – Found in polymetallic sulfides around hydrothermal vents. The Scale of Resources • The Clarion-Clipperton Zone (CCZ) alone is estimated to contain over 21 billion dry tons of polymetallic nodules rich in manganese, nickel, copper, and cobalt. • Globally, the seafloor is thought to hold nearly 250 trillion dry tons of subsea metal resources — dwarfing known land-based reserves. The Real Race The so-called “race to the bottom” is not about today’s production but about future access and control. As demand for these metals accelerates with the clean energy transition, countries and corporations are scrambling to secure their claim. Are these metals truly “critical”? Perhaps not — the Earth holds enough. But access, economics, and geopolitics will determine who leads. ESG vs. Exploration The Rare Earth Rage showed how control over strategic minerals shapes industries and nations. Deep-sea mining could be the next chapter. But it comes with a pressing dilemma: • Do we mine the seabed to meet future demand? • Or do we pause to protect fragile marine ecosystems? In this new scramble, the early bird may get the worm, but the world must ask — at what cost to ocean life?

“The problem, explained Elizabeth Holley, associate professor of mining engineering at the Colorado School of Mines and lead author of the study, is that these resources are not being recovered. Instead, minerals such as cobalt, lithium, gallium, and rare earth elements, including neodymium and yttrium, are being discarded in the waste streams of other mining operations, such as those for gold and zinc. “ ‘The challenge lies in recovery,’ Holley said. ‘It’s like getting salt out of bread dough – we need to do a lot more research, development, and policy to make the recovery of these critical minerals economically feasible.’ “ (continued) #energy #energyindustry #minerals #mining #REE #rareearth #battery #batterytech #batterypower https://lnkd.in/gtH3S5fb

Bell Canada's recent announcement of six new AI data centers in British Columbia signals a significant opportunity for regional copper producers. Nicola Mining Inc. finds itself uniquely positioned in this emerging landscape, particularly with its New Craigmont Copper Project located near Merritt. The first data center will be situated in Kamloops, with a second planned for Merritt by year's end. This infrastructure expansion underscores the growing demand for copper in technological infrastructure. Nicola Mining's strategic location becomes increasingly valuable as the tech sector expands its physical footprint. Recent exploration results demonstrate the project's potential. The company has completed drilling 14 holes spanning 4,872 meters, revealing promising chalcopyrite mineralization across the MARB and CAS zones. Early findings suggest consistent mineral presence in volcanic and intrusive host rocks, indicating substantial copper resources. With its fully permitted mill and tailings facility, Nicola Mining is well-equipped to support the emerging copper market. The company's proximity to Canada's largest copper mine and its comprehensive exploration strategy position it as a key player in the region's mining landscape. The convergence of AI infrastructure development and copper demand presents an exciting opportunity for Nicola Mining to leverage its geological assets and strategic location.

Livium has signed a term sheet with the University of Melbourne to secure exclusive global rights to use microwave technology in rare earths element (REE) extraction. #mining #rareearths #technology