AI, Mining, and the Untapped Potential

Mining is one of the most resource-intensive industries in the world, yet it often struggles to capture the full economic value of its operations. AI is changing that—bringing real-time data, automation, and predictive intelligence into the mine-to-mill process.

In Episode 4 of the Hevi AI Podcast, Hevi co-founders Paul Culvenor and Brad Gyngell sit down with Ravi Sahu, CEO of Strayos, to explore:
✅ How AI-powered visual intelligence is transforming mining operations.
✅ Why digital twins and real-time analytics are key to unlocking hidden value.
✅ The future of autonomous mining, AI-driven decision-making, and industry trust in AI.

Strayos is one of the leading AI platforms in mining and quarrying, used in 3,000+ sites globally to optimize drill and blast, geology mapping, and site analytics. Let’s dive into Ravi’s journey and how AI is reshaping the future of mining.

From Software to Smart Mines: Ravi’s Journey into AI-Powered Mining

Unlike many mining tech founders, Ravi Sahu didn’t start in the industry—he was a computer science engineer who stumbled into mining after experimenting with drone technology and 3D data models.

"I was fascinated by how mining sites relied on manual processes to drill, blast, and extract materials. I saw an opportunity to bring AI and automation to an industry still dominated by traditional methods." — Ravi Sahu

His breakthrough moment? A visit to a mining university’s experimental site, where he held explosives in his hand for the first time and learned how engineers physically measured blast holes.

That experience led to the launch of Strayos in 2016, an AI-powered visual intelligence platform designed to:
🔹 Capture and process 3D site data from drones, smart drills, and sensors.
🔹 Use AI to analyze drill and blast patterns for optimized fragmentation.
🔹 Predict geology variations and reduce material handling inefficiencies.

"I started Strayos as a side project, but as I spoke with more mining engineers, I realized how much value AI could bring to the industry." — Ravi Sahu

How AI is Solving Mining’s Biggest Challenges

1. AI-Powered Visual Intelligence: The Rise of the Digital Twin

Strayos uses AI and computer vision to create real-time 3D digital twins of mining sites. These models allow engineers to:
✅ Map drill and blast patterns with extreme precision.
✅ Analyze rock fragmentation to optimize material flow.
✅ Predict ground conditions and prevent hazards.

"A mine site changes every single day—AI gives you real-time insights so you can make better decisions before problems arise." — Ravi Sahu

2. Mine-to-Mill Optimization: Closing the Feedback Loop

One of AI’s most exciting applications is optimizing the entire mine-to-mill process. Strayos is helping mines:
🔹 Reduce crusher energy costs by analyzing rock sizes before processing.
🔹 Adjust blast patterns dynamically based on AI-driven geology predictions.
🔹 Enhance material tracking from the pit to the plant, ensuring consistency.

"One of our customers used AI to reduce their crusher gap by 7%, saving massive amounts of energy and improving throughput." — Ravi Sahu

3. AI in Safety & Automation: Reducing Risk and Downtime

With autonomous trucks and AI-powered monitoring, mining sites are becoming safer and more efficient. Strayos is:
✅ Detecting road hazards before they disrupt autonomous fleets.
✅ Using drones to scan haul roads and predict wear and tear.
✅ Improving visibility on safety risks with AI-driven alerts.

"AI doesn’t replace humans—it makes them better at their jobs. Blasters, geologists, and engineers now have real-time intelligence that makes their decision-making faster and more accurate." — Ravi Sahu

The Trust Factor: How Mining Professionals Are Adopting AI

While AI is rapidly advancing, trust is still a key challenge. Many mining professionals resist handing over control to AI-powered decision-making.

Strayos is solving this by:
🔹 Providing AI confidence scores so engineers can validate model accuracy.
🔹 Allowing human oversight with AI-assisted rather than AI-automated workflows.
🔹 Building real-world case studies proving that AI-driven decisions lead to cost savings.

"Two years ago, people doubted AI’s accuracy. Today, geotechnical engineers are telling us they can’t tell the difference between human and AI-generated rock mass models." — Ravi Sahu

The Future of AI in Mining: What’s Next?

1. 24/7 Autonomous Drone Monitoring

🚀 Mines will deploy AI-powered drones around the clock, scanning haul roads, pit walls, and stockpiles to provide real-time insights.

"We already have fully automated drone monitoring in some mines—AI runs the analysis, and alerts are sent directly to dispatch before issues escalate." — Ravi Sahu

2. AI-Driven Autonomous Decision-Making

🤖 Machines will communicate with machines, reducing human intervention. AI will optimize:
✅ Fleet movements in real-time.
✅ Crusher settings based on incoming ore characteristics.
✅ Process control adjustments to maximize recovery rates.

3. The AI Layer for a Fully Digital Mine

🏗️ AI will act as the intelligence layer for all mining data—optimizing:
✅ Drill & blast strategies.
✅ Material tracking from mine to mill.
✅ Overall mine economics, ensuring maximum value capture.

"Mining has always created value. AI will help it capture that value more efficiently than ever before." — Ravi Sahu

Closing Thoughts: AI is Transforming Mining—Are You Ready?

Mining is on the verge of a technological revolution. AI-powered tools like Strayos and Hevi are unlocking efficiency, safety, and profitability at a scale never seen before.

For more information about Strayos: https://strayos.com/

🚀 Want to see Hevi in action?

📅 Book a demo at https://calendly.com/paulculvenor/30min

🔊 Listen to the full episode on:
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/2x0cN9lM9oK73CooLyu06Y?si=PYEEaIBTQbOHlYBKHb1Heg
YouTube: https://youtu.be/Ecz6vCDXGog

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