Unlocking the Orebody: Why Leadership, Not Technology, Drives Mining Productivity with Laura Tyler

In this episode we speak to Laura Tyler, an experienced mining executive and former BHP senior leader and former CEO of Adriatic Metals.

We discuss how mining companies can unlock greater productivity from existing operations, the role of emerging technologies such as AI and muon tomography, and why the industry often struggles to turn innovation into measurable results.

We'll also explore whether the biggest barrier to technological progress in mining is the technology itself or the leadership behind it.

Laura will also share insights into her upcoming discussion with Gary Agnew from Ideon Technologies at Resourcing Tomorrow in London from 1 to 3 December. The conference is the anchor event of London Mining Week, bringing more than 2,300 senior decision-makers together including ministers, mining CEOs, and investors in one room, with a practical focus on how capital gets deployed, projects get approved and how the industry delivers the metals and minerals the world need. As a media partner to the event, use code DIGDEEP15 for 15% off the current early bird price. 

Register here and get your tickets now before prices go up: https://hubs.ly/Q04y7L590

KEY TAKEAWAYS

Meeting global copper demand requires unlocking productivity from existing operations through better subsurface understanding rather than relying solely on new greenfield discoveries.

True operational productivity comes from optimising the entire value chain and managing systemic bottlenecks rather than fine-tuning individual components in isolation.

Successful technology adoption relies far more on organisational change management, workforce trust, and leadership ownership than on the software or hardware itself.

The deployment of AI and automation should aim to liberate human capacity for strategic judgment, risk management, and problem-solving rather than simply generating more routine activity

BEST MOMENTS

"We have to be ambitious about the potential of these new technologies, but we can't confuse the potential with proven value."