Innovation Fall 2026

Copper Mountain Mine, near Princeton, BC, produces copper and silver. P hoto : I van S abo /S hutterstock

Technological changes The technologies attracting the most attention are often those that allow companies to reject waste earlier, recover more valuable material, and improve operational efficiency without dramatically increasing costs. Machine-vision systems are among the most promising examples. Companies like MineSense (with whom Scott has collaborated) are working to connect geological models directly to mining equipment. Using sensors, machine learning, and ore-characterization technologies, these systems can identify ore and waste material in real time. By reducing dilution and ore loss, operators can improve recovery while sending fewer tonnes of low-value rock to the mill. Other technologies focus on gathering better information before mining even begins. One example is muon tomography, Scott explains. Borrowing concepts from particle physics, the technology uses naturally occurring cosmic-ray muons to measure density differences within rock masses. “You drill a drill hole, you drop your muon detector down and you can actually look up to see the density of the material above and actually save a huge amount of drilling by getting very accurate three-dimensional models of the underground,” Scott says. Autonomous haulage systems are slowly gaining traction as well. Unlike conventional trucks operated individually by human drivers, autonomous fleets can continuously optimize routes, speeds, queue times, and

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Fall 2026

Innovation