Conference Forum
Conference Forum
Evolving Standards in the Age of AI
AI is rapidly moving beyond a digital “search engine” to become an operational assistant, changing how work gets done across mining geology. But what does this shift really mean in practice?
This one-day interactive forum brings together mining professionals to explore how AI can enhance workflows, strengthen standards, and improve confidence in decision-making without replacing the expertise that underpins our industry.
Rather than focusing on problems, the day is designed to uncover where the biggest opportunities lie:
- Where can we simplify and streamline operational workflows?
- How can we make standards more practical, accessible, and consistently applied?
- Where can AI genuinely support better outcomes?
Through a mix of keynotes, real-world case studies, and hands-on collaboration, participants will move beyond theory to test ideas, challenge assumptions, and identify what should change in practice. By the end of the day, attendees will leave with clear insights, shared perspectives, and practical ideas they can take back to site.
Event details
- Date: Monday 20 April, 2026
- Time: 9:00am - 5:00pm
- Venue: BCEC Mezzanine 1 + 2
- Cost: $170 (AusIMM or AIG members), $230 (non-members)
- Click here to register (Forum only)
- Click here to register (Conference + Forum)
Program
Session 1: AI in Transition (9:00am – 10:30am)
Welcome and introduction from the Chair.
Keynote presentations:
- Dr Tarrant Elkington
Executive Consultant & General Manager, Snowden Optiro
Vibe Coding: A Catalyst for Innovation and Improved Workflows for Mining Professionals - Francisco “Pancho” Reyes
Staff Data Scientist, IntelliSense.io
How I Stopped Worrying and Learned to Love the Data - Dr Rachel Murtagh
Manager, Product Management – Geology, Geostatistics and Data Science, Seequent
The Next Chapter for Automation: From Hero Scripts to Sustainable Systems with AI
Followed by an open floor discussion with speakers.
Morning Tea (10:30am – 11:00am)
Catering included with registration.
Session 2: Where Can AI Add the Most Value? (11:00am – 12:30pm)
This session focuses on identifying where AI can deliver the greatest impact in operational geology.
Industry case studies:
- Simon Davies
Geology Superintendent Growth, Northern Star Resources - Scaling Data Quality: KORE Spector in High-Throughput Gold Core Logging
- Mike Stewart MAusIMM
Technical Domain Expert, Seequent
Unlocking Hidden Value in Complex Deposits with Data-Driven Geological Modelling - Alexander Cohen
Director, QLD AI Hub | Managing Director, Scope&Go AI Agency
Exploring the Possibilities of AI
Participants will then take part in facilitated table discussions to explore opportunities to improve efficiency, consistency, and data quality, with key themes captured and shared across the room.
Lunch (12:30pm – 1:30pm)
Catering included with registration.
Session 3: Building an AI-Enabled Workflow (Live Exercise) (1:30pm – 3:00pm)
This hands-on session moves from ideas to application.
- Nathan Chung
Software Engineer at Inventico
Practical Exercise Lead - Syed Mosawi
Founder, Responsible AI Australia
AI Safety and Awareness
Participants will work in groups using real datasets to design improved workflows, exploring how AI can be applied safely and effectively in day-to-day geological tasks.
The session concludes with a short summary and insights shared from across the room.
Afternoon Tea (3:00pm – 3:30pm)
Catering included with registration.
Session 4: What Did We Learn—and What Does It Change? (3:30pm – 5:00pm)
This interactive closing session brings the day together by reflecting on key insights, challenging assumptions, and identifying where perspectives have shifted.
Through facilitated discussion, participants will explore what truly drives outcomes, where there are opportunities to simplify and improve, and how AI can support better, more consistent practices—while recognising where human judgement remains critical.
The session focuses on clarity over action, helping attendees leave with a stronger understanding of what matters and what they would do differently in practice.
Keynote speakers
Simon Davies
Dr Tarrant Elkington
Tarrant specialised in mining strategy selection, early-stage scoping studies, project management, and providing solutions to unique complex mining problems. Tarrant has been involved in studies in Australia, South America, Africa, Europe, and Asia; across commodities including precious metals, base metals, industrial minerals and iron ore. He also leads the development of Snowden Optiro’s optimisation software and manages a number of key business functions.
Tarrant has written more than 15 published papers and contributes heavily to blog posts on the Snowden Optiro website.
Tarrant has experience working in these commodities: Gold, Silver, Iron Ore, Vanadium, Titanium, Lithium, Nickel, Cobalt, Rare Earths, Copper, Graphite, Manganese, Bauxite, Lead, Zinc, Mineral Sands, PGMs, Tantalum, and Uranium.
Rachel Murtagh
Francisco Reyes
Francisco has more than 12 years of experience leading and working in Research and Development for the Mining Industry having worked in stockpile, comminution, flotation and leaching projects in Chile, the UK and Australia. In 2019 he moved to Australia to work as a Research Fellow at the Julius Kruttschnitt Mineral Research Centre (JKMRC) and he now works as a Senior Data Scientist at IntelliSense.io.
Mike Stewart
Alexander Cohen
Registration
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