Mining’s Future is Being Rewritten

Mining is changing. From automation and AI-powered decision-making to next-gen drilling techniques, the industry is on the verge of a technological revolution. But are we moving fast enough?

In Episode 5 of the Hevi AI Podcast, Paul Culvenor and Brad Gyngell sit down with Jake Harris, innovation expert and Lead of Research & Innovation Delivery at Unearthed, to discuss:

✅ How mining compares to other industries in tech adoption
✅ The biggest inefficiencies in mining and how AI can solve them
✅ Future skills needed for the AI-powered workforce
✅ The role of data, automation, and digital transformation in mining

Jake has an incredible career spanning mining, construction, startups, and even writing children’s books. He’s launched a global mining consumables business, built an influential mining tech blog, and now works at Unearthed, connecting mining with cutting-edge innovations.

Let’s dive in.

From Surveying to Mining Innovation: Jake’s Career Journey

Jake’s journey into mining started in surveying and civil construction in the UK. After a working holiday in Australia, he saw an opportunity to move into mining, landing in Kalgoorlie in 2012.

"When I first got into mining, I thought it was a long way behind construction in terms of technology adoption. The tools, the change management—everything felt outdated." — Jake Harris

This realization led him to build a mining technology blog, highlighting real-world innovations that operators and engineers were using to improve safety, efficiency, and productivity.

At the same time, he was developing a simple but effective underground consumables product—a laser protection system for jumbos that is now used in over 20 mines worldwide.

The Blog That Opened Doors

🔹 Exposed incremental innovations happening in mining that weren’t getting industry coverage.
🔹 Gained global traction on LinkedIn, expanding his network.
🔹 Led to freelance writing for major mining publications.
🔹 Opened opportunities to join Unearthed, a platform focused on mining innovation.

Why is Mining So Slow to Adopt New Tech?

Jake’s first impression of mining? It lagged behind other industries like construction in both technology and change management.

Example: GPS on Excavators

When GPS technology was first introduced for mining excavators, the rollout was a disaster:
🚧 No proper training for operators.
🚧 Surveyors were given the tech but didn’t need it.
🚧 No clear project management.

"A guy showed up, installed the GPS, dumped a bunch of manuals on a desk, and walked away. That was it. No change management, no proper rollout." — Jake Harris

The Big Problem: Mines Generate Data, But They Don’t Use It

AI and machine learning thrive on high-quality data. But Jake sees a huge gap in mining:

🔴 Mines generate massive amounts of data from sensors, smart drills, and equipment—but they don’t use it.
🔴 Most mid-tier miners aren’t collecting, cleaning, or structuring their data properly.
🔴 Without structured data, AI insights are impossible.

"Every mine talks about digital transformation, but very few have a real plan to turn their data into actionable insights." — Jake Harris

Mining companies need to invest in data collection, data science, and automation to truly benefit from AI.

Innovation in Mining: Where is the Industry Headed?

1. Underground Mining is Due for a Revolution

"Mines are getting deeper, ore grades are declining—traditional methods like drill and blast are high-touch, expensive, and inefficient." — Jake Harris

🔹 Tunnel Boring Machines (TBMs) in Mining – Already used in civil construction, TBMs could replace drill and blast in underground mines.
🔹 Alternative Mining Methods – In-situ recovery and chemical leaching could reduce the need for traditional extraction methods.

2. AI-Powered Decision-Making & Process Automation

"The holy grail is real-time mine-to-mill optimization—adjusting everything from drilling to processing based on AI-driven data." — Jake Harris

🔹 AI-powered ore tracking – Matching material from the pit to the processing plant.
🔹 Automated process control – AI dynamically adjusts crushers, mills, and chemical processes for maximum recovery.
🔹 Drones & autonomous monitoring – Real-time road condition scanning to prevent truck shutdowns.

3. Mining Needs to Upskill Its Workforce

"Every mine needs a dedicated data scientist, just like they have mining engineers and geologists." — Jake Harris

🚀 Future miners will need:
✅ Data science skills – Understanding how to structure and use mine data.
✅ Cross-disciplinary knowledge – Mining engineers with expertise in automation, AI, and robotics.
✅ Adaptability – New technologies will redefine mining roles.

How Can We Accelerate Innovation in Mining?

Jake believes mining needs a two-pronged approach:

🔹 Collaboration Between Miners – Top-tier and mid-tier miners should co-fund and share pilot projects to reduce risk and speed up adoption.
🔹 Bringing in Outside Experts – Mining must engage with defense, aerospace, and tech industries to integrate cutting-edge innovations.

"The biggest tech breakthroughs in mining might not come from mining—they might come from industries we haven’t even engaged with yet." — Jake Harris

Final Thoughts: What’s Next for AI in Mining?

AI is already transforming mining, but the industry must move faster.

🔹 Autonomous mining operations will require AI-driven decision-making.
🔹 Real-time data insights will eliminate inefficiencies.
🔹 The workforce of the future must be trained in AI, automation, and digital technologies.

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

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🚀 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/4rug7NC3iokcAtXG7v30tX?si=jfWUAD8zQ1arwFl4tyiLOQ

YouTube: https://youtu.be/sS-RhTQlfNM

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