MineWarp

Mining is undergoing one of its biggest technology shifts in decades. Automation, electrification, digitalisation and connectivity are changing not only the equipment used in mines, but how an increasingly complex ecosystem of technologies needs to work together.But how does an industry learn from those already leading the change — and turn individual experience into knowledge that benefits everyone?In this episode of MineWarp, Empie Strydom talks with Mikael Ramström, Chair of the Global Mining Guidelines Group (GMG), about the role industry collaboration plays in accelerating technology adoption across mining.Mikael describes GMG simply as “helping miners help miners”: bringing together mining companies, OEMs, technology providers and passionate industry professionals to share practical experience and turn lessons learned into guidelines that others can use.The conversation explores the relationship between innovation, interoperability and standardisation, including why Mikael believes technology companies confident in their own solutions should embrace open ecosystems rather than rely on proprietary lock-in. They also discuss the complementary roles of GMG and formal standards bodies such as ISO — with GMG capturing practical industry experience and helping create the foundation from which future standards can develop.They also look at what really makes industry collaboration work: not simply large organisations or membership structures, but the passionate individuals willing to contribute their experience for the benefit of the wider mining community.Finally, Mikael discusses GMG's plans to strengthen regional participation around the world and why mining professionals don't need to wait for somebody else to contribute.Topics💠What is the Global Mining Guidelines Group (GMG)?💠“Helping miners help miners” — sharing mining technology experience and best practice💠Mining's evolution from mechanisation to automation, electrification and digitalisation💠How mining companies can learn from technology leaders and early adopters💠Why GMG is fundamentally a member-driven organisation💠The importance of passionate individuals in driving industry collaboration💠Why aren't more miners, OEMs and technology companies contributing?💠Interoperability vs proprietary technology — can openness create competitive advantage?💠Why technology providers shouldn't need to lock competitors out💠The role of neutral industry organisations in enabling multi-vendor ecosystems💠GMG guidelines vs ISO standards — and how the two can complement each other💠Why mining companies can play a particularly important role in defining practical guidelines💠How guidelines become industry benchmarks through adoption💠Why developing meaningful guidelines can take years💠Sharing proven experience rather than trying to predict technology from the “bleeding edge”💠GMG's growing regional model and plans for Europe, Africa, Australia and North America💠Collaboration with universities, mining associations and governments💠Why mining professionals should contribute rather than wait for somebody else to do it💠Mikael's journey from computers for spacecraft to technology underground💠And, finally, Mikael's other passions: food, cooking, travel and wine

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

Few voices in South African mining carry more weight — or more candour — than Bernard Swanepoel, Outspoken Industry Leader from THINKspiration, #joburgindaba Chair, and ex CEO of Harmony Gold Mining Company Limited.This week on MineWarp, Bernard shares hard truths about mining’s relevance, leadership courage, and the trust deficit between industry, government and mining communities. What comes through loud and clear is that he’s proud of what South Africa’s mining industry is, and frustrated at what it is not yet becoming.#minewarp #mininginnovation #joburgindaba

What does it take to optimize billion-dollar mining assets for the future? In this episode, Devin Askham, Global Business Director at Collaborit, shares his journey, Collaborit’s role in SAP-driven asset management, and why trust and visibility are at the heart of digital transformation in mining.#MineWarp #LetsTalkDigital #EAM

In this episode of the MineWarp Podcast, we dive into fleet management, adoption challenges, and Groundhog’s vision of becoming the brain behind the fully automated mine.Satish Penmetsa, CEO and co-founder of Groundhog, explains why mining’s digital race is shifting from hardware tracking to mining orchestration.

In this episode of the MineWarp Podcast, Empie engages with Louis Strydom, Director of Growth and Development at Wärtsilä Energy, to discuss the evolving landscape of energy transition, digital transformation, and the challenges faced by developing markets. We explore the importance of flexibility and stability in energy systems, the need for a portfolio approach to innovation, and the environmental considerations surrounding energy technologies. Louis shares insights on financing energy innovations and the necessity of collaboration in energy projects, emphasizing that there is no one-size-fits-all solution to decarbonization. Chapters00:00 Introduction to the MineWarp Podcast05:17 Guest Introduction: Louis Strydom10:59 The Importance of Digital Transformation16:55 Understanding Energy Transition22:55 Challenges in Developing Markets28:41 Financing Energy Innovations34:30 Environmental Considerations in Energy Transition40:21 Lessons Learned in Energy Innovation44:23 Personal Insights and Conclusion#LetsTalkDigital #MineWarp #MiningInnovation

Dive into profitable innovation with Tim Vorage, Operating Partner at 10-Ops. Tim shares how 10-Ops transforms opportunities into actionable operations using AI, Evil Digital Twins, and Inconvenient Truths.Key insights:Leveraging AI to identify and validate new business opportunities.Strategies for scaling innovationTim’s practical advice is a must-hear for CEOs, marketers, and business development managers in the natural resources sector.