Evolving Standards in the Age of AI
| Monday, April 20, 2026 |
| 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM |
| Mezzanine M1 & M2 |
Details
AI is rapidly moving beyond a digital “search engine” to become an operational assistant, changing how work gets done across mining geology. But what does this shift really mean in practice?
This one-day interactive forum brings together mining professionals to explore how AI can enhance workflows, strengthen standards, and improve confidence in decision-making without replacing the expertise that underpins our industry.
Rather than focusing on problems, the day is designed to uncover where the biggest opportunities lie:
Where can we simplify and streamline operational workflows?
How can we make standards more practical, accessible, and consistently applied?
Where can AI genuinely support better outcomes?
Through a mix of keynotes, real-world case studies, and hands-on collaboration, participants will move beyond theory to test ideas, challenge assumptions, and identify what should change in practice. By the end of the day, attendees will leave with clear insights, shared perspectives, and practical ideas they can take back to site.
Speaker
Alexander Cohen
Presenter
Biography
Alexander Cohen is a creative technologist focused on turning complex technology into practical, accessible solutions. He specialises in bridging the gap between technical and non-technical stakeholders to drive collaboration and impact. He is the founder of EasyTalk, an AI-powered real-time communication platform supporting people living with motor neurone disease and similar conditions. Alexander is also the Brisbane Chapter Director of the Queensland AI Hub, where he leads initiatives to grow an engaged AI community and help organisations prepare for an AI-driven future.
Mr Simon Davies
Geology Superintendent
Northern Star Resources Ltd
Presenter
Biography
Simon Davies is the Geology Superintendent at Northern Star Resources’ Jundee Operation, bringing over 16 years’ experience across mine operations, resource, and near-mine exploration geology. He has held senior geological roles at major Australian gold operations including Fimiston (Super Pit), Tanami, Gruyere, and Jundee.
Simon leads teams in both surface and underground growth portfolios, focusing on resource definition, long-term value generation, and strategic life-of-mine development. He champions the practical implementation of new technologies and innovative drilling strategies to enhance geological workflows, data quality, and mine reconciliation accuracy.
This is Simon’s second AusIMM Mine Geology Conference presentation; he previously presented in 2019 on value added through the implementation of a web-based reconciliation system at Newmont Goldcorp’s Tanami Mine.
Simon holds a BSc in Applied Geology from the Camborne School of Mines and is committed to driving operational excellence and innovation in mine geology.
Mr Tarrant Elkington
General Manager
Snowden Optiro
Presenter
Biography
Dr Tarrant Elkington has more than 16 years of mine consulting experience specialising in mine optimisation and M&A Due Diligence.
Tarrant specialised in mining strategy selection, early-stage scoping studies, project management, and providing solutions to unique complex mining problems. Tarrant has been involved in studies in Australia, South America, Africa, Europe, and Asia; across commodities including precious metals, base metals, industrial minerals and iron ore. He also leads the development of Snowden Optiro’s optimisation software and manages a number of key business functions.
Tarrant has written more than 15 published papers and contributes heavily to blog posts on the Snowden Optiro website.
Tarrant has experience working in these commodities: Gold, Silver, Iron Ore, Vanadium, Titanium, Lithium, Nickel, Cobalt, Rare Earths, Copper, Graphite, Manganese, Bauxite, Lead, Zinc, Mineral Sands, PGMs, Tantalum, and Uranium.
Rachel Murtagh
Seequent
Presenter
Biography
Dr. Rachel Murtagh leads Product Management for Geology, Geostatistics, and Data Science at Seequent, The Bentley Subsurface Company. With a background in volcanology and exploration geology, along with 10 years of experience with Seequent's Leapfrog software, Rachel has built her career at the intersection of geoscience and technology. She leads the product strategy and initiatives for key geoscience solutions, including Leapfrog Geo, Leapfrog Edge, and Driver. She is passionate about helping shape tools that empower professionals in the mining, energy, and civil sectors to make better-informed decisions.
Francisco Reyes
Staff Data Scientist
IntelliSense.io
Presenter
Biography
Francisco is an Electrical Engineer by training from the Catholic University of Chile, with a Masters in Process Control from the same University. He also holds a PhD in Mineral Processing from Imperial College London.
Francisco has more than 12 years of experience leading and working in Research and Development for the Mining Industry having worked in stockpile, comminution, flotation and leaching projects in Chile, the UK and Australia. In 2019 he moved to Australia to work as a Research Fellow at the Julius Kruttschnitt Mineral Research Centre (JKMRC) and he now works as a Senior Data Scientist at IntelliSense.io.
Mike Stewart
Seequent
Presenter
Biography
Mike holds a Master of Science (First Class Hons) in Geology from the University of Canterbury, a Postgraduate Diploma in Geostatistics from Ecole des Mines de Paris in Fontainebleau and is a sought-after speaker at industry events. He is currently a member of the Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy (AusIMM) and the Australian Institute of Geologists and is a Mineral Resource Estimation Conference 2025 Committee Member. He is a former Secretary of AusIMM New Zealand branch.
