We’re proud to welcome Dr. Gerrit Smit, Geotechnical Engineer, and Lead Geotechnical Data Analyst at Elexon Mining – a role that aligns perfectly with his shared passion for solving complex engineering challenges and using data to make mining safer and more efficient.

Gerrit’s career journey began in South Africa, where a last-minute decision led him to pursue Civil Engineering instead of Mechanical Engineering which runs in his family. “A week prior to my studies, I decided I wanted to study Civil Engineering as it means I will travel places and get to build large things.” That sense of adventure and scale sparked a passion for large-scale infrastructure projects and the complexity of the geotechnical field. Gerrit reflects, “Later in my studies, I really enjoyed the challenging nature of geotechnics due to large variability and unknowns in the field.”

His deepening curiosity led him to complete a PhD at the University of Southampton, focusing on soil-structure interaction, and a Post-Doctoral Fellowship in optimising wind turbine foundations in expansive soils. As Gerrit puts it, “I had the privilege to explore the geotechnical field further by doing a PhD in the UK and again with a Post-Doctoral Fellowship in collaboration with African and UK universities.  It was rewarding and lots of fun.”

His professional journey has taken him across several countries in Africa, Europe, New Zealand, Australia, and Tonga, where he’s tackled a range of geotechnical challenges in mining, infrastructure, and research. Today, that passion has led him to Elexon Mining, where he sees tremendous value in the company’s advanced monitoring technologies and the collaborative spirit of its team.

Gerrit is particularly excited about the opportunity to translate near real-time data into actionable insights, empowering mines to manage risks such as airblast and ore dilution, while enhancing safety and operational efficiency.

“In mining environments, especially cave mining knowledge of rock movement/damage is essential.  In this complex and challenging environment, near real-time monitoring and interpretation in close collaboration with clients is crucial. Elexon Mining’s solutions offer the tools to do exactly that, making a real difference in the way mines are managed, and risks are mitigated. I’m excited to engage in this exciting long-term journey with our clients.”

As a proud father of five, Gerrit is passionate about education and sharing his expertise with all who are interested in the field of Engineering. When asked what advice he would give around those interested in the Geotechnical space, he offers a simple but essential comment:

“Never blindly assume. Rock and soil are highly variable materials.”

Gerrit has also learned through experience the value of Littlejohn et al’s (1994) quote: “Now and in the future, it is vital that financial decision-makers appreciate that you pay for a site investigation whether you have one or not, and you are likely to pay considerably more if you do not, or if it is inadequately designed, executed or interpreted”

Reflecting on a site or region that has left the greatest impression on him, Gerrit speaks of the wildlife of South Africa and Botswana (including a heart-stopping moment in the Okavango Delta where he found himself perilously close to a pride of lions), also describing the volcanic landscapes of Iceland, where standing on the edges of tectonic plates left an unforgettable impression.

On behalf of Elexon Mining, we are honoured to welcome Dr. Gerrit Smit to the team. We are excited for the expertise, fresh perspectives, and collaborative spirit he brings to our clients and our company. Welcome!

Dear Elexon Mining Community,

As we approach the end of this challenging year, I’d like to take a moment to thank you for your support during our recent difficult months. As most of you would be aware, a devastating lithium battery fire consumed our facility. It was 4 months and 17 days ago. In that time, we’ve achieved a lot:

• We found and secured the most suitable building for what we do.
• We recovered our IT system and all data, almost seamlessly.
• In less than 2 weeks, we had the first people working from the new building.
• In less than 6 weeks, we produced the first circuit board assembly on new equipment in the new building.
• We’ve reconstructed every manufacturing jig and every Automatic Test Equipment set for the Beacons and Markers and improved most of them in the process.
• We’ve retested the Markers and Beacons as if they were new products being manufactured by a new team. In the process, we’ve made a series of improvements. As a result, both products withstand more punishment before they fail and the Beacons have more significantly more battery capacity.
• We’ve restarted Marker production and started to satisfy orders.
• We’ve released an updated GeoHive software package with significantly better performance.
• We’ve almost completed the construction of the production facility at our new address.

We achieved this with amazing support from our team, our customers, Moreton Bay City Council, our insurance company, our suppliers and other electronics companies (in particular Intellidesign, who literally went out of their way to help us). We’re very, very grateful. We couldn’t have achieved what we achieved without your support.

We want to ensure that what happened to us never happens to another business working with lithium batteries. We’re therefore initiated collaboration with the Queensland University of Technology to accelerate new legislation and standards for lithium batteries.

We are excited to make 2024 our best year yet and look forward to your continued partnership on this exciting journey of recovery and triumph. We believe we will come out of this stronger than before the fire – again, thanks to your help.

May your festive season be filled with love and cheer.

Warm regards,

Pieter Kuiper and the Elexon Mining Team

Dear partners and customers,

Unfortunately, we have some sad news to share with you. Over the weekend, a factory fire in the early morning hours severely damaged our manufacturing facility in Brendale. We are relieved to inform you that there were no staff in the building and everyone is safe. Thanks to the actions of the Queensland Fire Department, the building is now safe to enter and a recovery operation is underway.

We are working diligently to manage the situation, our main goal being to ensure the continuity of delivery of goods and services to our customers.

Our project teams remain committed to providing you with services and support. Our relationship with you is crucial to us, and we want to assure you that we are leveraging all available resources to swiftly assess the situation and take appropriate action to return to full operation. If you have any immediate concerns or questions, please do not hesitate to reach out to your project contact, Simon (simon.steffen@elexonmining.com) or our support team at support@elexonmining.com.

We appreciate your understanding and patience during this challenging time. We remain committed to transparency and open communication and will continue providing timely updates as we gather more information.

Thank you for your continued trust in us. We look forward to overcoming this setback together and emerging stronger.

Best regards,

Your Elexon Mining Team

Meet Elexon Mining’s new HR Lead, Chantal Simons.

“With the wheels set in motion, Chantal embarked on her journey, armed with the strategy that by nurturing the team’s collaborative spirit, Elexon Mining will grow and become a shining beacon of success.”

Building a high-performance team

With a background in high performance and a dedication to building up a strong and collaborative team, Elexon Mining is thrilled to welcome the new HR Lead, Chantal Simons, on board. Chantel is set out to recruit top talent and create a work environment where everyone can contribute their best. Her dedication and commitment to creating a cohesive and collaborative team will undoubtedly shape the future of Elexon Mining.

“There is a lot of energy and passion here at Elexon Mining. We have many extremely talented and dedicated people who push the boundaries of innovation to the next level. I find being surrounded by smart and enthusiastic people very inspiring. That’s something I thrive on, and that’s what attracted me to join the Elexon Mining team,” says Chantal.

Creating a collaborative workplace

Elexon Mining is growing into a medium-sized business, and the company structure and dynamics are changing. We currently have more than 50 staff members spread out in multiple locations and different continents. “My role is to connect them and ensure that by knowing one another and by sharing experiences, professional insights, and personal stories, we will lead to larger rates of success. “There is an analogy between high-performance sports teams, where my previous experience lies, and busy work collectives. I’m bringing in psychology and my coaching skills with the aim of building the best team that we possibly can. “In general, being understood as a human being makes us collaborate better in teams and makes us perform better as a whole,” explains Chantal Simons.

Attracting the right team 

Chantal is amazed by Elexon Mining’s operations and high-level business ventures. The products and services we create are groundbreaking, attracting a special kind of individual. “We seek those who thrive on new challenges and are eager to think outside the box while also collaborating with diverse teams on a high level. This sets us apart from traditional businesses,” Chantal says about her strategy to attract the right people to the team.

“Feeling valued is not just a claim here; it’s a reality.” At Elexon Mining, it’s recognized that every employee is hired for their specific skill set and experience. “When you share your viewpoint or expertise, it is genuinely appreciated. Your voice matters, regardless of hierarchy or position. We support and care for each other, fostering an environment where we bond, share, and learn from one another. We are a gathering of intelligent individuals who genuinely enjoy exchanging ideas,” shares Chantal excitedly.

It’s truly remarkable how intelligent and diverse our workforce is. Each person brings something new to the table, both professionally and personally. We have individuals with fascinating travel experiences, multicultural backgrounds, and unique perspectives. The mixture of cultures, experiences, and brains creates an incredibly dynamic and enriching environment.

“You are the expert on your specific piece of the puzzle – regardless of hierarchy, regardless of your position in the business, your voice and your input are valued” – Chantal Simons.

Preserving Elexon’s family closeness in a growing environment

Chantal’s main focus is on nurturing and expanding teams by recruiting the right individuals and cultivating a supportive environment. “I aim to foster the growth of our existing work environment, enabling people to thrive and bring out their best. What sets us apart is our culture of genuine care for one another.” The owners of the Elexon Group have fostered a sense of family within the company. Chantal says that it is easier to achieve that in a small business setting where communication flows freely. “One of the intriguing challenges I’m taking on is figuring out how we can maintain that level of closeness and connection as we continue to grow. It’s about preserving that sense of family care and connectedness even as we expand into a larger organization.” “People who know each other and people who understand each other also understand why someone’s reacting the way they are. They understand if there’s something going on for a person at home, they need a hand. And it’s those small things being seen, being heard in a business and being understood as a human being that makes us collaborate better in teams and makes us perform better as a whole,” says Chantal.

Inclusive workplace valuing diversity

In a highly knowledgeable and skillset-driven industry such as geo-tech and mining, Chantal’s perspective is that people who bring their skillset with them to the position also bring certain ideas and experiences unique to them. This is Chantal’s next challenge. She firmly believes that by embracing individuals from various backgrounds and cultures, the organization can harness a vast array of perspectives, thus leading to a greater diversity of solutions and out-of-the-box thinking. Currently, Elexon Mining’s employee base encompasses approximately 30 different backgrounds—an accomplishment that Chantal respects, given the size of the business. However, as the company continues to grow, she envisions a future where organizational diversity grows alongside it. Expressing her determination to devise innovative strategies to attract and welcome new employees who bring fresh perspectives and invaluable expertise to Elexon Mining.

With the mining industry growing rapidly, as new technology is being generated, Elexon Mining’s new and ongoing strategy is to employ more industry experts to solve unique customers’ geo-tech requirements. Chantel shares this ideology in the context of recruiting the best industry professionals to cater to the needs of the industry but also emphasizes it is just as important to foster a collaborative mindset. This also applies to Elexon Mining’s expansion into international markets and the setup with more employees being situated overseas. Chantal sees it as a priority to maintain the closeness even on an international scale through ensuring company meetings and events are shared globally. Whether it is over Zoom or at different times of the day, Chantal insists that the notion of sharing the “small things” globally is what will lead to a connected team on a global sale.

“Building a team is not just about getting the best players. It’s also about being able to collaborate within the company as well as we possibly can. It’s about bringing everyone together. It’s about having a common goal.” – Chantal Simons.

The Australian Technologies Competition (ATC) has shortlisted Elexon Mining’s Cave Tracker as a Semi Finalist – recognising it as one of thirty-eight of Australia’s most exciting technology companies for the ATC16 Business Accelerator.

These Semi Finalists are industry leading innovators with the capability to become game-changers across the sectors of energy, manufacturing, food & agritech, mining, medical technologies, cyber security and smart cities.

Now in its sixth year, the ATC finds, mentors and develops Australia’s best technology companies with the Greatest Global Potential.

The ATC16 Business Accelerator helps turn good technologies into great businesses. The judging panel features the country’s leading experts in commercialisation, finance, intellectual property and technology development from companies such as Deloitte, Bird&Bird and FB Rice.

With a focus on building global success stories, the judges are looking for not only the best technologies but also the best managers and the best business plans.

Winners will be announced at a Gala Awards Dinner in Sydney on 2 November. For further information on the Australian Technologies Competition visit www.austechcomp.com

Read up on Cave Tracker in the latest edition of Rio Tinto’s Mines 2 Markets magazine.

Image: Rio Tinto

MassMin 2016 is only a week or so behind us, and like you, we are back to work and remembering the many fantastic people and opportunities we experienced at this event. While the memories are still fresh, we want to share our impressions of this great conference.

Thank you AusIMM

Most of all, we want to congratulate the organisers of MassMin 2016 for their excellent work, and thank the sponsors for their support. It was highly beneficial to attend the conference, and the people we have spoken to since the show all agree with us that it was one of the most professional, effective and enjoyable industry events they have been to in recent times.

Shedding some light into the dark world of caving

Every few years, when the caving community gathers during conferences, a wealth of opinions and experiences is shared during presentations and networking events. These interactions enable the industry to continually improve best practices in caving.

Several people noted that figuring out caving is like putting together a puzzle with a few important pieces still missing.  This conference has demonstrated that the number of missing pieces is getting smaller and the picture of the ‘caving puzzle’ is becoming clearer.

Collaboration leads to innovation

Elexon Mining is proud to be a part of this very active and enthusiastic community. We appreciate the collaboration with so many of you. Only through this partnership approach are we able to develop new technologies that improve vital insights into what is seen as a ‘blind’ mining method.

The development of the real-time cave flow monitoring system, Cave Tracker, was another important milestone on the industry’s journey to master cave mining. Thanks to these new monitoring technologies, the ability to plan and control caving has greatly improved.

Greater control over caving will lead to improved safety and higher performance. The benefits of these outcomes are far reaching; covering operators, engineers, site management, corporate management and investors.

Continued development and interaction

We look forward to continuing our contribution to the improvement of safety and performance in cave mining. We want to invite you to share your experience and opinions by interacting with us.

As a company focused on innovation that comes about through collaboration, we are interested in understanding how we can improve our collaboration with you and empower you in your work?

We welcome your input in the comments field below.

Elexon Mining is exhibiting at Massmin 2016. This once-every-four-years exhibition is the premier mass mining event. Our team will present a number of papers on the technologies we have developed, and our booth is set up to help attendees learn more about the benefits of our products.

It’s fantastic to see the growth in awareness of Smart Marker and Cave Tracker, and to also hear our collaboration partners include our products in their research papers.

The upcoming Cave Tracker paper to be delivered by Dylan Whiteman on Wednesday 11th May is generating a lot of excitement, especially as he has some ‘hot off the press’ data to share with the audience.

Read more about Massmin: http://www.massmin2016.com/

Reconciliation of the recovered resource is an important instrument for assessing the performance of sublevel caving mines. While the quality of reconciliation has improved significantly the method requires a significant period of production history in excess of 18 months before valid local conditions can be incorporated in recovery estimates. The introduction of computer models which allow processing of large datasets has greatly aided the process however the inability to measure post mining voids allows the effect of essential assumptions, made for recovery estimation, to have potentially significant impact.

Without other physical measure systems there is no possibility to either access production method improvements believed to benefit the operation or confirm that the recovery estimation process employed models the physical actuality sufficiently and with good confidence in the modelled result.
The introduction of Smart Markers has been a game changer to enabled mines to efficiently monitor ore recovery with minimal production impact and fast results.

The Reconciliation process and ore recovery monitoring are complementary methods focussed on optimising the sublevel caving system to the local geological and geotechnical conditions. Reconciliation indicates overall performance of the mining system. The understanding of ore recovery mechanisms identifies areas for improvement of ore recovery and reveals causes for under-performance in grade and tonnage. It also provides a guide to the maximum and minimum recovery estimation that any model should be bound by.

Together they enable mining to be engineered and optimised to maximise projects’ performance and economics. For example: Reconciliation may indicate that primary ore recovery is lower than predicted leading to potentially lower recovered grade and higher unit costs. It will not reveal the reason for the poor system performance. Drill and blast practices, suboptimal in the local conditions, are one likely cause for this shortcoming. Drill and blast may fail to mobilise ore in the targeted burdens and therefore achieve lower than estimated primary recovery. Drill and blast improvements, targeted with recovery monitoring systems, can increase primary recovery and therefore delay grade dilution. Potentially, this may reduce the need for low grade overdraw late in the mine life in attempts to recovery remnant resources believed to be remaining in the cave.

Small improvements in primary recovery over several recovery levels will have significant effects on project economics, reducing unit costs, improving margins and raising NPV.

Rio Tinto joins forces with CRCMining, Newcrest Mining and Elexon Electronics in the development of a cutting-edge, real-time tracking system for material within block caves, on target to be operational in 2014.

Read more on CRCMining’s website.