What is one of Strayos’ latest technological solutions?

Our focus has shifted towards incorporating greater intelligence into the ore extraction process. Many mining operations believe that they can optimize their resource through better dilution control. To address this challenge, we introduced our Ore Dilution Control solution, in the form of a generative digital twin.

This solution utilizes existing data to model and analyze each 5 cm block, considering various blasting parameters. Accurately predicting the distribution of waste and ore empowers mining professionals to determine the optimal blasting parameters for reducing waste and maximizing ore recovery. This mitigates the common issue of dilution, frequently encountered in copper-gold mines, a prevalent concern in the Western region of the USA.

How is the mining industry embracing new technologies?

The industry is undergoing a significant transformation both in terms of evaluating new technologies and embracing them wholeheartedly. Technologies such as AI, autonomy and advanced sensor systems are being adopted, marking a departure from the previous resistance and hesitancy towards innovative solutions and companies have developed a culture of practice that did not exist a few years ago, shifting towards a more open approach of conducing pilot and experimentation projects to test these technologies.

The primary focus remains on achieving a quick return on investment. Companies are eager to see tangible results within a relatively short timeframe, typically ranging from six months to a year. Strayos’ success lies in demonstrating that the implementation process is streamlined, and we have observed positive outcomes in the companies we engage with and where our technology is implemented.

What are some common challenges that companies face when adopting AI models?

Many companies lack structured data storage practices and diligent data collection efforts necessary for building effective AI models. Another customer profile involves those who have been collecting data but without an intelligent layer surrounding it. In such cases, the data needs to be structured before it can be utilized in AI models. Finally, computation poses a challenge. The sheer volume of data often requires substantial computing power to run complex AI models and transitioning from the customer’s existing servers to a centralized or cloud-based environment can be a complex process that many mines are hesitant to undertake.

Strayos recently partnered with Quantum Systems and Delta Drone. Could you delve into the company’s expanding strategy and how AI combined with drones prove to be powerful?

As data collection becomes more commonplace, combining drones and AI proves to be incredibly powerful. Drones excel at collecting vast amounts of data, but the key lies in automating the analysis process. With the abundance of imagery, videos and surveying data, automation becomes critical in efficient processing and extracting intelligence from this information.

How are Strayos’ AI solutions utilized in the Western USA mining industry?

In the Western US, we work directly with blasting contractors, drilling companies and copper mining companies. Our platform is utilized in various areas, including drilling, and blasting optimization, fragmentation optimization, and geotechnical operations. The operational focus revolves around two key themes: geotechnical analysis and improving ore dilution and fragmentation.

On the geotechnical side, mining companies are eager to leverage our tools to better understand their operations. They seek ways to optimize geotechnical processes and minimize ore dilution. By utilizing our platform, they can capture data before and after blasting, enabling them to generate a dilution factor through algorithms. This valuable information can then be fed back into the model, facilitating continuous improvement and decision-making.

What are Strayos’ goals for the upcoming months?

In 2023 and 2024, we aim to expand the implementation of our new Ore Dilution Control solution globally, with a particular focus on copper and gold mines, as they stand to gain substantial benefits from its utilization.

On the other hand, we have developed a cutting-edge machine vision solution, a 3D AI camera that offers full autonomy, effortlessly collecting data and correlating it to specific material blocks.

On the product front, we are also dedicated to expanding our solutions in hyperspectral sensing. We focus on leveraging imagery data and other sensor inputs to generate significant value. Hyperspectral imaging solutions are posed to play a vital role in the future of metal mines, enhancing their capabilities and extracting valuable insights.