September tech talk: Why is Insurance like Mining? (and is a Raven really like a Writing Desk?)

Join the Sydney Branch for their September tech talk: Why is Insurance like Mining? (and is a Raven really like a Writing Desk?).

About this event

This is a slightly whimsical look at two worlds that, at first glance, shouldn’t have much in common—but actually share a surprising amount of DNA.

Our speaker, Mike Arundel's presentation will explore the parallels between mining and insurance, and how both eat capital for breakfast. In each case, you pour in huge sums of up-front capital and then wait (and worry) over the long-term exposure.

Mining and insurance may not look alike, but both are about living with uncertainty and making expensive decisions without perfect information. The trick isn’t to avoid risk—it’s to understand it better than the next person. Probability is only interesting until something happens. The day after a claim, the odds are 100%. That simple truth shapes how both underwriters and engineers think about their jobs.

During this presentation, Mike will share a few anonymised mining claims (the good stuff, without naming names), give a snapshot of losses by mining type and processing method—including a few surprises—and take a deep dive into how risk scores are built, what they measure, and how insurers actually use them.

Program
5.15pm - 5.45pm: Arrival and networking
5.45pm - 5.50pm: Welcome and introductions
5.50pm - 6.35pm: Presentation
6.35pm - 7.10pm: Q&A
7.10pm - 8.30pm: Canapes, refreshments and networking