Exploration technologies and methodologies
As mineral exploration enters an era defined by data complexity and digital transformation, one of the biggest hurdles geoscientists face is not a lack of information, but too much of it.
In an industry awash with plug-and-play software and AI buzzwords, Oliver “Olly” Willetts, senior geologist and resource estimation consultant at SRK Consulting, stands out for his clear-eyed, problem-first approach to geoscientific data management.
As the mining industry edges closer to a tipping point on tailings management, a panel of global experts at the 2025 Life of Mine | Mine Waste and Tailings Conference in Brisbane issued a clear message: discipline in operations, humility in design, and a more adaptive mindset will be critical to preventing the next tailings disaster.
From deserts to drill pads, remote exploration teams increasingly need to make informed, high-impact decisions without waiting weeks for lab results.
At the AusIMM 2025 Life of Mine - Mine Waste and Tailings Conference in Brisbane, a standout panel on site characterisation dug deep into the evolving challenges - and innovations - facing tailings engineers.
For decades, mine planning has leaned heavily on deterministic models - tools that simplify the earth into a single version of the truth.
In a sector awash with smart tech, real-time data and emerging AI capabilities, it's easy to overlook the nuts and bolts of data management.
At a time when mining operations are under growing pressure to optimise resource use, reduce waste, and demonstrate environmental stewardship, access to real-time data is no longer a luxury - it’s a necessity.
Explorers operating in Australia's greenfield and undercover regions face a common challenge: how to make confident decisions when the surface reveals so little.
As critical minerals projects advance in complexity and urgency, early-stage metallurgical testing is no longer a “nice to have”—it’s a gatekeeper to technical and financial viability.
