The Rethink Mining Podcast

The Future of Mining: Zero-Emission Solutions and Digital Data Collection with Sonia Couto and Aaron Lambert

The Rethink Mining Podcast

Show Notes

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

Themes:

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

More from The Rethink Mining Podcast

Feb 3, 2026

What if you could "see" the chemical makeup of an ore body a meter underground without ever digging a hole?

Sep 22, 2025

What if mine closure wasn’t just a cost—but a new source of energy, jobs, and community value?In this ReThink Mining Podcast, CEO Don Toporowski speaks with Mark Swinnerton of Green Gravity about turning legacy mine shafts into gravitational energy storage systems.They explore how this breakthrough can reduce closure liabilities, create hundreds of jobs, and supply clean power to the grid.👉 For mining executives, closure teams, and ESG leaders, this is a must-listen on how to turn one of mining’s biggest challenges into a long-term opportunity.

Aug 15, 2025

What if mining companies could eliminate dangerous face mapping while unlocking millions in annual value?In this episode of The ReThink Mining Podcast, CEO Don Toporowski interviews Mike Smocer, CEO of Mine Vision Systems, about their groundbreaking Face Capture technology that's transforming underground mining operations.Key Topics Covered:- How current mine mapping is like "drawing cartoons" vs. precise 3D reality- Face Capture's fusion of LiDAR, imaging, and "underground GPS" technology- Real ROI case study: Over $10M in annual benefits for one mining operation- Worker safety: Collecting data 10+ meters from dangerous mine faces- The path from Carnegie Mellon robotics research to commercial mining solutions- Plans for autonomous vehicle integration to remove workers entirely- Why the biggest mining companies are adopting faster than smaller onesProven Value Delivered:- $2.736M: Reducing resource deletion through better planning- $4.014M: Replacing waste extraction with high-quality ore- $3.428M: Eliminating survey bottlenecks- $312K: Reducing overbreak and unnecessary waste removalThe Future Vision:Moving toward "remote, predictive, embedded" mining where critical decisions are made from surface operations using real-time underground data, addressing the industry's talent shortage as 40% of top talent retires in the next decade.About ReThink Mining:ReThink Mining is forming a consortium to accelerate MineVision's technology development, helping move from handheld devices to fully autonomous mining systems.Visit rethinking.ca to discover how mining companies collaborate on breakthrough technologies.

Aug 6, 2025

What if mining could slash greenhouse gas emissions by over 90% just by changing explosives?In this episode of The ReThink Mining Podcast, CEO Don Toporowski sits down with Thomas Gustavsson (CEO & Co-founder) and Blake Morgan (Chief Strategy Officer) from Hypex Bio to explore their groundbreaking hydrogen peroxide-based explosives technology.Key Topics Covered: Why traditional ammonium nitrate explosives are problematic for modern mining How Hypex's technology eliminates toxic gas emissions and water contamination The potential to reduce total mining operation emissions by 5-12% Supply chain vulnerabilities in the current explosives market Reduced ventilation requirements and continuous mining possibilities The 20-year journey from concept to commercial application Regulatory challenges and international expansion plans 90%+ reduction in greenhouse gas emissions from explosives Elimination of nitrate water pollution Reduced toxic gas exposure for workers Enhanced operational flexibility and safety 💡 Why This Matters:ReThink Mining members specifically requested investigation into alternative explosives, with Hypex being the only company mentioned by name. This technology addresses critical environmental and operational challenges while maintaining production efficiency.🌍 Impact Potential:About ReThink Mining:ReThink Mining is a non-profit consortium that brings together global mining companies to collaboratively advance breakthrough technologies through shared investment and risk.Visit rethinking.ca to discover how mining companies are collaborating to transform the industry.#mininginnovation #SustainableMining #ReThinkMining #CleanTech #MiningTechnology #EmissionsReduction

Mar 11, 2025

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.

See all episodes →