In this episode, Don Toporowski, CEO of ReThink Mining, speaks with Spencer Aertker, Head of Mining and Carbon Mineralization at Eden GeoPower, to explore the innovative Pulse Power technology poised to transform the mining industry.

Spencer provides an insightful overview of Eden GeoPower’s groundbreaking approach, using high-voltage electrical pulses to fracture rock and significantly improve mineral recovery rates, energy efficiency, and environmental sustainability. The conversation dives into real-world industry validations, including Eden’s collaborations with BHP and substantial backing from the U.S. Department of Energy.

Listen in to understand how this technology could substantially reduce operational costs and reshape mining operations, potentially mirroring the revolutionary impact hydraulic fracturing had on the oil and gas sector.

This episode is perfect for mining executives, innovators, and industry leaders who want a firsthand look at cutting-edge solutions addressing mining’s biggest challenges.

Join Carl Weatherell and George Hemingway, Managing Partner and Head of Innovation Practice at Stratalis Consulting, for an insightful conversation on the complexities of driving innovation within the mining industry.

George discusses the cultural shifts necessary for fostering innovation and highlights the strategic imperatives that mining companies must embrace to stay competitive.

Through real-world examples and forward-thinking strategies, this episode emphasizes the pivotal role of leadership in navigating change and the future trends poised to reshape the industry.

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In this episode of the Rethink Mining Podcast, CEO Don Toporowski sits down with Michael Collins, Co-Founder, President, and CEO of Pivot EM, to explore a game-changing approach to electrification in mining. 

With a staggering 46,000 diesel haul trucks operating worldwide, full replacement with new electric vehicles seems financially unfeasible. But what if instead of buying new, we retrofitted these giants? 

Michael shares Pivot EM’s pioneering solution to retrofit diesel trucks with high-efficiency battery systems—driving down operating costs, slashing emissions, and meeting the industry’s carbon targets without the prohibitive capital costs. 

Dive in to discover how this innovation could redefine mining, with insights on the technology, challenges, and pilot projects setting the stage for an electric future.

In this episode of The ReThink Mining Podcast, Don Toporowski, CEO of ReThink Mining, sits down with David Fisher and Gary Van Dusen, the visionary founders behind Bio Graphene Solutions.

Together, they explore the untapped potential of graphene—a material that could revolutionize the mining industry. The discussion covers the challenges of raising awareness and capital for graphene technology, the environmental benefits of green graphene production, and its applications in reducing CO2 emissions, improving mining operations, and extracting precious metals from tailings.

Join us as we explore how graphene could shape the future of mining.

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In this episode of The ReThink Mining Podcast, Don Toporowski sits down with Alexandre Grenier, CEO & Founder of PointLaz, to explore the cutting-edge technology transforming mine shaft inspections.

Alexandre discusses how PointLaz’s automated solutions drastically reduce downtime, enhance safety, and provide precise data that can revolutionize how mines operate.

From leveraging advanced LiDAR and camera systems to securing significant ROI for mining companies, this episode discusses the future of mine shaft management and the vital role automation plays in improving both safety and productivity.

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In this episode of The ReThink Mining Podcast, Carl Weatherell sits down with Mike Milinkovich, Executive Director of the Eclipse Foundation, to discuss the transformative power of open source software in the mining industry. Mike shares his insights on how digital tools are reshaping the sector and the critical role of collaboration and innovation.

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Join us for an engaging conversation that explores the strategies and innovations driving the future of the mining industry.

In this episode of the ReThink Mining Podcast, Don Toporowski sits down with Josh Ogden, Co-Founder and CEO of AVSS. They dive into AVSS's groundbreaking work in drone technology, exploring its potential to transform the mining industry.

From securing a $1M government contract to addressing regulatory challenges and seeking industry feedback, Josh shares insights into AVSS's journey and vision for the future. Discover how their innovative solutions for avalanche control and precision delivery systems can enhance safety, efficiency, and regulatory compliance in mining operations.

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Innovation in Drone Technology: Exploring AVSS's cutting-edge solutions for the mining industry.

Government Support: The impact of securing a $1M contract with the Canadian government.

Regulatory Navigation: Overcoming challenges and ensuring compliance in drone operations.

Industry Collaboration: The importance of feedback from mining companies to refine and perfect drone technology.

Safety and Efficiency: How AVSS's drone systems enhance operational safety and efficiency in mining.

Real-World Applications: Case studies and examples of AVSS's technology in action.

Future Vision: Josh Ogden's insights into the future of drone technology in mining.

In this episode, Carl Weatherell sits down with Anthony de Fazekas, Partner at Mintz, to explore the unique opportunities and challenges in digital mining.

Anthony sheds light on the critical aspects of intellectual property (IP) strategy and its role in fostering innovation. They discuss the significance of developing robust IP frameworks, the impact of technology on the mining sector, and the importance of collaboration and partnerships in driving technological advancements.

This episode provides valuable insights for anyone interested in the future of mining and the digital transformations shaping the industry.

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The importance of IP strategy in digital mining

Leveraging technology to drive innovation

Addressing the challenges of integrating new technologies in mining

The role of collaboration and partnerships in tech development

Future outlook on digital transformation in the mining industry

Join Don Toporowski, CEO of ReThink Mining, in an engaging conversation with Matthew Forrest, founder and CEO of EcoHoist. Discover the groundbreaking EcoHoist technology, a new mechanical bucket elevator designed to lower emissions, reduce operating costs, and bring down capital costs for underground mines. Matthew shares the inspiration behind EcoHoist, its development process, and the potential advantages over traditional skip hoisting systems. Learn about the energy storage capabilities, the innovative use of composite materials, and the projected benefits for productivity and decarbonization in the mining industry. This episode is a must-listen for those interested in sustainable mining practices, new technologies, and collaborative opportunities with ReThink Mining members.

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Introduction to EcoHoist: Overview of EcoHoist technology and its benefits.

Development Journey: Inspiration and evolution of EcoHoist from concept to implementation.

Technical Insights: How EcoHoist operates and its advantages over traditional systems.

Energy Efficiency: EcoHoist as an energy storage system and its efficiency benefits.

Productivity Gains: Impact on mining productivity and reduction in diesel truck usage.

Decarbonization Benefits: Contribution to reduced emissions and sustainable mining practices.

Implementation Strategy: Steps for piloting, scaling, and collaborating with mining companies.

Future Vision: The future role of EcoHoist in the mining industry.

Advice for Innovators: Tips for entrepreneurs in mining technology and the importance of user-focused development.

This episode of The ReThink Mining Podcast dives into mining, innovation, technology, and the leadership required to transform a startup in this traditional industry.

Carl Weatherell is joined by Sonia Couto, Managing Director at Konverge and founder of Field Eagle, a software platform that digitizes field data collection, and Aaron Lambert, founder and CEO of RIINO, a company pioneering a zero-emission monorail system for material transport in mining.

Sonia and Aaron share their journeys, from the inception of their ideas to the current state of their companies. In this episode, they discuss the importance of customer feedback in product development, the challenges of introducing new technologies to a conservative industry, and the critical role of building a supportive team.

Aaron emphasizes the need for a pragmatic approach, focusing on developing a minimum viable product and integrating existing technologies to reduce risk. Sonia highlights the value of customer involvement in shaping product roadmaps and the importance of adapting technology to user needs. As founders, they reflect on their leadership styles and how they have evolved to meet the demands of their growing companies.

The episode demonstrates that mining is not just about extracting resources; it’s a complex logistics business that requires innovation and adaptability to thrive in the modern world. Join us as we continue to explore the fascinating intersection of mining and technology, and the people who drive this industry forward

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The innovative technologies being developed in the mining industry, such as zero-emission haulage systems and digitized data collection tools

The personal journeys, motivations, and challenges of mining leaders as they navigate the world of startups and technology development

The importance of listening to customer feedback, product development, and prioritizing needs in shaping technology solutions

The importance of learning from failures, adapting to feedback, and pivoting when necessary to align technology solutions with industry needs and customer expectations

The value of continuous learning, adaptation, and collaboration with industry experts, mentors, and advisors to drive innovation, improve products, and achieve success in the mining sector