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

About this episode

Michelle Ash discusses how engineering simulation and virtual twins are transforming the mining industry.

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…

People in this episode

Host: Empie Strydom

Guest: Michelle Ash

Topics covered

• engineering simulation
• virtual twins
• AI in mining
• digital transformation
• operational excellence
• risk reduction
• cloud automation

Keywords

• mining innovation
• digital transformation
• engineering technology
• AI
• operational excellence
• simulation-driven enterprises
• virtual testing

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: SIMULIA, Dassault Systèmes, BHP, Barrick, MMG, Oz Minerals

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