What if mining companies could eliminate dangerous face mapping while unlocking millions in annual value?In this episode of The ReThink Mining Podcast, CEO Don Toporowski interviews Mike Smocer, CEO of Mine Vision Systems, about their groundbreaking Face Capture technology that's transforming underground mining operations.Key Topics Covered:- How current mine mapping is like "drawing cartoons" vs. precise 3D reality- Face Capture's fusion of LiDAR, imaging, and "underground GPS" technology- Real ROI case study: Over $10M in annual benefits for one mining operation- Worker safety: Collecting data 10+ meters from dangerous mine faces- The path from Carnegie Mellon robotics research to commercial mining solutions- Plans for autonomous vehicle integration to remove workers entirely- Why the biggest mining companies are adopting faster than smaller onesProven Value Delivered:- $2.736M: Reducing resource deletion through better planning- $4.014M: Replacing waste extraction with high-quality ore- $3.428M: Eliminating survey bottlenecks- $312K: Reducing overbreak and unnecessary waste removalThe Future Vision:Moving toward "remote, predictive, embedded" mining where critical decisions are made from surface operations using real-time underground data, addressing the industry's talent shortage as 40% of top talent retires in the next decade.About ReThink Mining:ReThink Mining is forming a consortium to accelerate MineVision's technology development, helping move from handheld devices to fully autonomous mining systems.Visit rethinking.ca to discover how mining companies collaborate on breakthrough technologies.
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Revolutionary Explosives Could Cut Mining Emissions by 90% | Hypex Bio's Hydrogen Peroxide Solution
What if mining could slash greenhouse gas emissions by over 90% just by changing explosives?In this episode of The ReThink Mining Podcast, CEO Don Toporowski sits down with Thomas Gustavsson (CEO & Co-founder) and Blake Morgan (Chief Strategy Officer) from Hypex Bio to explore their groundbreaking hydrogen peroxide-based explosives technology.Key Topics Covered:Why traditional ammonium nitrate explosives are problematic for modern miningHow Hypex's technology eliminates toxic gas emissions and water contaminationThe potential to reduce total mining operation emissions by 5-12%Supply chain vulnerabilities in the current explosives marketReduced ventilation requirements and continuous mining possibilitiesThe 20-year journey from concept to commercial applicationRegulatory challenges and international expansion plans90%+ reduction in greenhouse gas emissions from explosivesElimination of nitrate water pollutionReduced toxic gas exposure for workersEnhanced operational flexibility and safety💡 Why This Matters:ReThink Mining members specifically requested investigation into alternative explosives, with Hypex being the only company mentioned by name. This technology addresses critical environmental and operational challenges while maintaining production efficiency.🌍 Impact Potential:About ReThink Mining:ReThink Mining is a non-profit consortium that brings together global mining companies to collaboratively advance breakthrough technologies through shared investment and risk.Visit rethinking.ca to discover how mining companies are collaborating to transform the industry.#mininginnovation #SustainableMining #ReThinkMining #CleanTech #MiningTechnology #EmissionsReduction
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Transforming Mining: Spencer Aertker on Eden GeoPower's Breakthrough Pulse Technology
In this episode, Don Toporowski, CEO of ReThink Mining, speaks with Spencer Aertker, Head of Mining and Carbon Mineralization at Eden GeoPower, to explore the innovative Pulse Power technology poised to transform the mining industry.Spencer provides an insightful overview of Eden GeoPower’s groundbreaking approach, using high-voltage electrical pulses to fracture rock and significantly improve mineral recovery rates, energy efficiency, and environmental sustainability. The conversation dives into real-world industry validations, including Eden’s collaborations with BHP and substantial backing from the U.S. Department of Energy.Listen in to understand how this technology could substantially reduce operational costs and reshape mining operations, potentially mirroring the revolutionary impact hydraulic fracturing had on the oil and gas sector.This episode is perfect for mining executives, innovators, and industry leaders who want a firsthand look at cutting-edge solutions addressing mining’s biggest challenges.
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Navigating Cultural Shifts and Innovation within the Mining Industry with George
Join Carl Weatherell and George Hemingway, Managing Partner and Head of Innovation Practice at Stratalis Consulting, for an insightful conversation on the complexities of driving innovation within the mining industry.
George discusses the cultural shifts necessary for fostering innovation and highlights the strategic imperatives that mining companies must embrace to stay competitive.
Through real-world examples and forward-thinking strategies, this episode emphasizes the pivotal role of leadership in navigating change and the future trends poised to reshape the industry.
Themes:
The role of cultural change in fostering innovation within mining
Strategic approaches to integrating new technologies
Overcoming industry resistance to change
The importance of leadership in driving transformation
Future trends and opportunities in mining innovation
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Reviving Diesel Giants: Pivot EM’s Path to Affordable, Efficient Electric Mining Trucks
In this episode of the Rethink Mining Podcast, CEO Don Toporowski sits down with Michael Collins, Co-Founder, President, and CEO of Pivot EM, to explore a game-changing approach to electrification in mining.
With a staggering 46,000 diesel haul trucks operating worldwide, full replacement with new electric vehicles seems financially unfeasible. But what if instead of buying new, we retrofitted these giants?
Michael shares Pivot EM’s pioneering solution to retrofit diesel trucks with high-efficiency battery systems—driving down operating costs, slashing emissions, and meeting the industry’s carbon targets without the prohibitive capital costs.
Dive in to discover how this innovation could redefine mining, with insights on the technology, challenges, and pilot projects setting the stage for an electric future.
Welcome to The ReThink Mining Podcast. A space to explore mining, its transformation and the innovations that drive our world forward.
Join host and CEO, Don Toporowski, as he explores groundbreaking innovation, thought-provoking discussions and interviews with industry leaders. Don shares insight on sustainable practices, latest technologies, and the tools that fuels mining’s evolution.
Tune in as we provide a source of information and connection to the mining industry.
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