How mining companies can become AI companies

Most mining “digital twins” fail and this isn’t because the tech sucks—it’s because too few people see them as living systems. I got asked recently: “What is a digital twin in the mining context?” and it compelled me to think: the problem isn’t the concept—it’s the execution and maintenance. In mining, a digital twin is (or at least should be) a real-time, dynamic replica of your compressed air, service water, ventilation network (or other simulatable processes) — from surface all the way to where it matters most, the reef horizon. It is supposed to enable us to run as many "what if" scenarios about your infrastructure as you want, without spending a cent on CAPex (this doesn't include the cost of the consultant who builds the simulation of course ;) ) Want to change your compressed air pipes in the haulage from an 8" to a 10"? Got it, that will increase your reef horizon pressures at peak drilling shift by 1.5 bar and should lead to a 50% reduction in lost blasts. Did you need to deploy any capital to figure that out? No... But here’s where most trip up: They build the twin and walk away. No updates and no live sensors which tie into the digital twin to keep it up to date... Underground changes happen—valves shift, new pipes get added—but nobody tells the model. The twin quickly becomes a snapshot of a past reality. A mine that once was... Not actionable. Not reliable. Just digital dust. A real digital twin lives off live data. It stays accurate, useful—and gives you answers without sending countless engineering consultants underground to audit for months on end or burning CapEx. The life of a true digital twin starts with digitization... and ends with informed decisions. are you running a living twin, or just something gathering digital dust?

🚀 Komatsu + Applied Intuition: Transforming mining through software-defined vehicles and AI The mining industry faces mounting challenges: rising mineral demand, skilled labor shortages, stricter regulations, and sustainability pressures. Enter the Komatsu and Applied Intuition multi-year collaboration creating a unified software-defined vehicle platform that's reshaping mining operations globally. What makes this partnership revolutionary? Software-defined architecture enables continuous updates without hardware changes. Flexible autonomy scales from operator assistance to full autonomous operation. AI algorithms provide real-time adaptability to changing mine conditions. Predictive maintenance reduces costly downtime. Enhanced safety systems protect workers. The platform delivers impressive benefits: reduced equipment downtime and increased productivity with consistent performance. Lower operational and maintenance costs, extended equipment lifecycles, and gradual implementation options for mines of all sizes. "A step change in how we bring innovative, high-performance technology to operations," says Peter Salditt, President of Komatsu's Mining Business Division. How do you see AI and automation reshaping mining operations in the next decade? Will smaller operations be able to compete? Click to explore the full details of this mining technology partnership: https://lnkd.in/gWJM5zPY

Visualizing My Longwall Mine Planning Project A single drill hole is the foundation of any successful mining strategy. Making a 14 year underground mine timetable out of that data is a completely different challenge. I got a chance to apply this process in a significant detail in Deswik for my 8th semester project. What makes it special for me is that I did the whole project including building the block model, resource and reserve estimation, underground construction design and the mine schedule which was created to mine from 2026 to 2039 on my own. The journey was challenging but also incredibly rewarding. From exploration drilling to resource classification, reserves, and ultimately to a workable, long-term mining strategy, Deswik enabled the clear visualization of each step, turning complicated data into a narrative. What impressed me most was how seamlessly Deswik handles both scheduling and modeling. Seeing the mine life develop year after year, and even month after month, demonstrates the effectiveness of fusing engineering concepts with contemporary mining software. The result of that journey is this animation. I'm excited to discuss how exploration data may be used to create an underground mining strategy that is sustainable. Take a look at this one minute video that captures the complete workflow of mine planning, from start to finish, that I worked on over the past six months. Deswik was used for mine planning in this video, and ArcGIS and Global Mapper were used for mapping. The narration was voiced by me and calculations were done in Excel.

Unlocking Mining’s Subsurface Potential with OSDU The mining industry is sitting on a data goldmine—literally. But without standardization, much of that value remains buried. To meet the demands of the energy transition, analysts at CERAWeek estimate we’ll need 1,000 times more subsurface data than we use today. Yet most mining enterprises still operate with fragmented, vendor-locked systems that silo critical geoscience data. That’s where the Open Subsurface Data Universe (OSDU) comes in. OSDU is an open, cloud-native data platform designed to liberate subsurface data across the mining value chain. It enables: ·      A single source of truth for geoscience data ·      Global collaboration across exploration, engineering, and operations [Tackling M...SDU® Forum] ·      Advanced AI and ML workflows to unlock new exploration targets ·      Improved decision-making and reduced technical debt According to The Open Group OSDU® Forum and Seequent’s 2023 Geoprofessionals Data Management report, poor data management is the #1 barrier to digital transformation in mining. OSDU addresses this head-on by enabling standardized schema, metadata validation, and scalable ingestion pipelines. At Microsoft, we’re helping mining companies adopt OSDU to accelerate climate-smart mineral production and unlock new business models. The opportunity is immense: organizations with mature cloud-native platforms can achieve 1–5% uplift in ROCE through OSDU adoption alone. Let’s stop treating subsurface data as a cost center—and start treating it as a strategic asset. #MiningInnovation #OSDU #DigitalTransformation #SubsurfaceData #AIinMining #MicrosoftEnergy #ClimateSmartMining

Ore-Bits: The New Mineral Space Race KoBold Metals has just powered up the future of mineral exploration, closing a phenomenal $537 million funding round—one of the largest ever for an AI-driven mining start-up. Their machine learning technology is rapidly accelerating how quickly and precisely new copper, lithium, and nickel deposits are discovered and developed, crucial elements for everything from EVs to national security. Why does this matter for the US? As the world leans into a clean energy economy, the US faces fierce competition with China, which currently dominates mineral supply chains. KoBold’s tech gives America an edge, sifting through vast geological data and making faster, smarter bets than traditional methods. AI-powered tools like TerraShed and Machine Prospector are redefining how—and where—critical resources are found, helping the US close vital supply chain gaps. Think of it as a modern space race, but for the building blocks that power technology and industry. Just as Sputnik ignited a fire for innovation, today’s mineral hunt is sparking a new wave of investment and ingenuity—only this time the “rockets” are algorithms, and the goal is energy security here on Earth. With visionary investors and breakthrough tech at work, KoBold Metals is truly mining the future https://lnkd.in/eRcuREMw

Komatsu and Applied Intuition, Inc. are joining forces to shape the future of mining. By combining Komatsu’s expertise in off-highway autonomy with Applied Intuition’s leadership in AI and vehicle intelligence, we are building a next-generation software-defined vehicle and autonomy platform that will transform how mining equipment operates. This collaboration will help customers boost productivity, reduce downtime and operate with greater precision and efficiency. It also represents one of the most significant technology initiatives in Komatsu’s history—a bold step toward a future of increasingly autonomous, software-driven mining operations. Together, we’re laying the foundation for mining machines that think, learn and evolve, helping customers unlock greater value and advance toward a more sustainable future. https://bit.ly/4glxKUm #komatsu #Creatingvaluetogether #mining #sustainability #komatsuglobal

Mining is a clear testament to human ingenuity. It shows that when society needs resources, we innovate our way there: better machines, smarter logistics, cleaner energy, improved community partnerships. Mining is not just extraction. It is invention, adaptation, and measurable social impact. On social platforms mining becomes relevant when you link it to trends people already care about: sustainability, green tech, resource security, or fresh mineral finds. Leverage trend jacking around resource scarcity, climate policy shifts, or breakthroughs in battery tech to get mining into mainstream conversations without watering it down - Pinagare Mogodi does an exceptional job in creating such awareness. Storytelling wins. Real-world narratives about miners, engineers, and local communities cut through corporate speak. Behind-the-scenes vids that show machinery, safety tech, and reclamation work humanize the sector and build trust. Use concise formats for max reach: - short vids and reels - carousel posts with step-by-step visuals - clear infographics mapping minerals to everyday tech - first-person interviews with site staff and community leaders Make content interactive and sharable. Run polls that test common assumptions about minerals. Deploy light quizzes that teach people what components in phones, EVs, and solar panels come from which mines. Meme moments are useful when they’re smart and topical. Invite user-generated content: ask followers to post photos or stories about a product they use that depends on mined materials and tag your page. Be explicit about responsibility. Address environmental impacts, ethical sourcing, and community welfare head-on. Showcase partnerships with NGOs, universities, or local councils. Post before-and-after visuals of land restoration and explain the practices behind the change. Responsibility is not an aside. It is central to credibility. Amplify with credible voices. Collaborate with industry experts, geoscientists, and local leaders for explainers and live panels such as SAIMM - The Southern African Institute of Mining and Metallurgy. Bring in public figures selectively to expand reach around themes like tech, energy transition, and regional development. Timing matters. React to policy moves, mineral discoveries, or big tech announcements quickly. Host live Q&A sessions during major industry events and run concise Twitter threads or LinkedIn live takeaways for real-time engagement. Reframe mining as a metaphor for progress: persistent, curious, and focused on solutions. Share your best mining-related post idea or a story about how minerals matter in your life. Tag a colleague, contribute a photo, or connect if you want to co-create content that pushes the sector toward sustainability and better public understanding.

First time I’ve used GPT5 for any thinking work, because I’m on my lunch break & time is a luxury I don’t have. I thought I would look at the average CO2 emissions used in lithium mining, struggled to get any data on the amount of machines, diggers, dumpers etc. in use in the world’s lithium mines over the years and present-year inclusive, so I went with rough estimates and delved into the emission cost of lithium mining equipment over the last 20 years alone. Lithium mining has gone on since the 1950’s and that would have taken much more calculating due to accounting for the devolution of machine efficiency going backward through time and other variables relative to mine size / depth. I did this because a couple of tech giants are now invested in lithium mining in the DRC and those guys are telling us to pay more attention to what we eat & drive, and when I hear thing like that I feel it’s good to check that they’re leading by example!  Electric mining equipment is moving quite well, now accounts for a small percentage of diggers and tippers with a forecasted CAGR of 32% from 2024 to 2044, but is 32% of the figures below in 20 years' time a good standing for people posturing to about the rest of the general public re: using EV as a means to a greener end, or is it just more business? ~ Production data: use global annual lithium carbonate equivalent (LCE) production 2005–2024 from Our World in Data / Energy Institute (series that underlies many public datasets). I’ll approximate values by decade-trend (rounded to nearest thousand tonnes LCE): 2005: 28 kt 2006: 30 kt 2007: 32 kt 2008: 35 kt 2009: 38 kt 2010: 42 kt 2011: 45 kt 2012: 50 kt 2013: 55 kt 2014: 60 kt 2015: 70 kt 2016: 80 kt 2017: 95 kt 2018: 110 kt 2019: 140 kt 2020: 170 kt 2021: 220 kt 2022: 350 kt 2023: 550 kt 2024: 850 kt ~ CO2 intensity scenarios (kg CO2 per kg LCE): • Low-impact: 3 kg CO2/kg LCE (brine + renewables-heavy processing) • Mid-range: 12 kg CO2/kg LCE (typical current global mix) • High-impact: 25 kg CO2/kg LCE (fossil-heavy hard-rock + long supply chains / lifecycle-inclusive) ~ Calculation method: for each year, CO2 = production (tonnes LCE) × 1,000 kg/tonne × CO2 intensity (kg CO2/kg LCE); then sum years 2005–2024 and convert to million tonnes CO2 (MtCO2). ~ Results (2005–2024, 20 years total): • Low-impact (3 kg/kg): Sum production = 3,275 kt LCE → 3,275,000 t LCE × 3 kg/kg = 9,825,000 MtCO2 = 9.83 MtCO2 • Mid-range (12 kg/kg): 3,275,000 tLCE × 12 = 39,300,000 tCO2 = 39.30 MtCO2 • High-impact (25 kg/kg): 3,275,000 tLCE × 25 = 81,875,000 tCO2 = 81.88 MtCO2 ~ Key notes/uncertainties (brief): • Production numbers above are rounded estimates to reflect the rapid growth — they approximate public datasets; using exact yearly figures changes results proportionally. • “Mid-range” (~12 kg/kg) is the most commonly cited central estimate; lifecycle scopes vary across studies (some include downstream refining, others only mining). #Lithium #Green #Environment

Did you know that a single tool can revolutionize how we explore, extract, and ensure quality in mining? From real-time ore sorting to environmental compliance—XRF analyzers are changing the game. 👉 Here’s what you’ll learn in our latest deep-dive: ✅ How handheld XRF units slash exploration costs & boost target accuracy ✅ Why grade control with XRF leads to smarter mining & higher profits ✅ The role of XRF in tailings management and sustainability ✅ Practical challenges—and how to overcome them Whether you’re a geologist, plant manager, sustainability specialist, or mining executive—this is a must-read. Don’t miss out on turning data into decisions 📊💡 Click the link to read the full article! 👇 https://lnkd.in/g-hxfV5W And follow us for more insights that drive the industry forward. #MiningTechnology #XRF #Geology #MineralExploration #SustainableMining #Innovation #MiningIndustry #GradeControl #ResourceEstimation

The value of an integrated mine-to-market operation is lost to one core problem: mining systems are all stuck in silos. It’s fascinating to me when an entire industry is sitting on an obvious opportunity but is held back by problems that are, in hindsight, completely solvable. The mining sector’s struggle with the mine-to-market value chain is a perfect example of this. The potential is vast but realizing it depends on fixing two foundational issues: the organizational structure and, more critically, the underlying data and technology architecture. The organizational challenge is well understood. Professionals are often educated in rigid disciplinary silos, which they carry into their careers.  But the real enforcer of these silos is the technology itself. The tech landscape at most mines is a chaotic patchwork of disconnected, standalone systems. The fleet management software doesn't talk to the asset health platform, which has no connection to the ERP. This creates "data islands," where critical information is stored in isolated databases, making a holistic view of the operation impossible. Getting data from one system to another often means a tedious, manual process of exporting spreadsheets at the end of a shift, a technical limitation that makes any kind of intelligent, real-time coordination a fantasy. An integrated technology architecture, acting as a digital central nervous system, directly solves these problems. By connecting these disparate systems, it creates a "digital twin" of the entire operation, from the mine face to the customer's port. Call it a virtual model where you can run diagnostics, identify bottlenecks, and pinpoint the root causes of chronic issues like unoptimized and disconnected scheduling. Mind you, we are not trying to fix what's broken. Instead, we are building a smarter system. With this integrated view, you can finally achieve true margin optimization. In the nearest future we’ll have AI agents that can run thousands of simulations against this live data, testing the impact of on-the-ground operations, changing commodity prices or even shifting customer demand. This allows a company to shift from being a reactive producer just trying to hit tonnage targets to a proactive seller that can tailor its production plan to maximize profit in real-time. The system will also screen for operational risks by simulating the impact of potential equipment breakdowns or weather conditions. Going a step further, the AI can proactively predict equipment failures weeks in advance, turning operational risks into manageable business decisions.    The next generation of mining titans won't be the ones with the richest geological deposits. They will be the ones with the cleanest, most integrated data.