From Space Tech to Subsurface Wealth: Real-Time Geochemical Mapping | Voluna
The Rethink Mining PodcastShow Notes
What if you could "see" the chemical makeup of an ore body a meter underground without ever digging a hole?
In this episode of The ReThink Mining Podcast, Don Toporowski sits down with Al Strange and Elias Fernandini, the founders of Voluna, to discuss how they are repurposing rocket science and nuclear fusion technology to revolutionize mineral exploration. Born from a pivot from lunar mining to Earth's toughest terrains, Voluna uses miniaturized neutron sensors and autonomous drones to provide real-time geochemical data, eliminating the "lab gap" and transforming how we find critical minerals. Key Topics Covered: The Aerospace Pivot: How technology designed for Blue Origin and lunar mining is solving exploration challenges on Earth.
Nuclear Fusion for Mining: Leveraging neutron activation analysis to "interrogate" the ground non-invasively.
Autonomous Exploration: Using drones to map large land packages with 1-meter resolution accuracy.
Speed to Data: Moving from a months-long wait for soil samples to same-day geochemical insights.
Safety & Sustainability: Reducing the environmental footprint of exploration and removing workers from dangerous terrain.
Proven Value: Instant Decision Making: Accelerate drill placement and project timelines by months.
Unmatched Precision: Capture high-fidelity data that traditional soil sampling often misses.
Non-Invasive Mapping: Identify gold veins and mineral signatures without physical excavation.
About ReThink Mining: ReThink Mining is a non-profit consortium that brings together global mining companies to accelerate collaborative innovation through shared investment and risk. We move innovation forward – faster through collaboration, safer through shared investment. Visit rethinkmining.org to discover how mining companies are collaborating to transform the industry. #MiningInnovation #MineralExploration #DeepTech #ReThinkMining #CriticalMinerals #FutureOfMining
More from The Rethink Mining Podcast
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.
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.
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
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.
Join Carl Weatherell and George Hemingway, Managing Partner and Head of Innovation Practice at Stratalis Consulting, for an insightful conversation on the complexities of driving innovation within the mining industry.