Season 2 is here! In this episode of the MineWarp podcast, host Empie Strydom welcomes guests Eric Palmer and Alan Bye to discuss the critical role of Mining Equipment Technology and Services (METS) in the mining industry. They explore the challenges of innovation, investment, and the importance of understanding market fit for new technologies. The conversation also touches on the impact of AI in mining and the personal interests of the guests outside of their professional lives.

Episode Takeaways

• METS companies are essential for the future of mining.
• Innovation in mining occurs in pockets and requires collaboration.
• Investors face challenges in identifying successful tech companies.
• The mining sector is ripe for innovation and change.
• Funding for mining technology often comes from venture capital.
• Understanding product market fit is crucial for tech start-ups.
• AI is making an impact but requires careful implementation.
• Mining companies need to focus on the value they provide to customers.
• The relationship between innovators and mining companies is symbiotic.

Adriaan Davidse, Director at Deloitte Canada, joins Empie and Jéan to discuss how mining business processes can be optimized for tomorrow’s challenges. They explore how better use of information drives smarter decisions, whether mining is falling behind other industries in digital transformation, and what steps can be taken to close the gap.

Cameron Stevens, a former physical therapist turned passionate health and safety advocate, explores how businesses can keep up with rapid digital trends without losing sight of the people they serve. In this episode, he unpacks how to align digital strategy with real-world safety outcomes and user needs—bridging the gap between tech innovation and human experience.

From high-speed trains to clean water supply, modern infrastructure depends on tunnels that are built faster, safer, and smarter. In this episode, we explore how digital decision support systems are transforming tunnelling by connecting people, machines, and workflows to boost productivity and safety on site.

Our guests, Frederik Oberg and Hakan Bolsoy from Epiroc’s Mobilaris Tunneling Intelligence, reveal how next-generation technology is reshaping underground construction—and what it means for the future of infrastructure.

Accurate, real-time inventory data can unlock massive efficiency gains in mining operations. In this episode, Adriaan Goosen of Indurad unpacks how advanced radar solutions are transforming stockpile volumetrics, belt volume monitoring, and material flow visualization—even in the toughest industrial environments. Learn how mining operations are gaining visibility where it matters most.

In mining, every second counts. Maintaining seamless connectivity and real-time awareness of people, equipment, and activity is essential to running a safe, efficient shift. In this episode, we explore how next-generation tracking and communication systems are changing the game underground and on surface.

“Trustworthy AI doesn’t happen by accident—it requires deliberate design and transparency,” says Stefan van der Stockt, Lead Data Scientist and Master Inventor at IBM Data & AI. In this episode, we dive into the hidden cognitive biases of AI agents, the ethical frameworks shaping responsible AI, and some surprising real-world applications already making an impact. If you care about the future of AI in industry, this conversation is a must-listen.

The era of static notice boards is over. In this episode, Chris Potgieter explores how two-way digital communication is transforming the way mining operations connect with their workforce—whether in the boardroom, on site, or even at the bus stop. Discover how smart, targeted messaging is improving engagement, safety, and transparency across the value chain.

This week, join Troy Williams as he dives into the critical impact of drilling and fragmentation on mine feasibility. Hear about cutting-edge techniques in underground drilling and blasting, and how machine learning is revolutionizing the blasting industry. A must-listen for anyone interested in the future of mining technology.