Industry conferences flag critical moment for mining’s transformation

With a growing global demand for critical minerals, two of North America’s largest mining conferences have been exploring the strategies and technologies that will drive the sector’s transformation towards sustainability.

Economic shifts, sustainability pressures and the urgent need for reliable and alternate supply chains have been among the key focus areas at the Society for Mining, Metallurgy and Exploration (SME) MINEXCHANGE 2025 conference in Denver and the Prospectors and Developers Association of Canada (PDAC) 2025 convention in Toronto.

“These events are taking place at a pivotal time for the industry,” said Jerome Rodriguez, Executive Vice President of Sales and Marketing at Railveyor, who attended both forums. “The industry is being challenged to rethink how resources are extracted, processed, and transported.”

Rodriguez noted that during PDAC, Ontario Premier Doug Ford announced plans to expedite development of Canada’s Ring of Fire region – a critical mineral-rich area positioned as a cornerstone for Ontario’s economic security. Ford has emphasized that ensuring a stable domestic supply of these materials is vital to protecting Canada’s economy from potential tariffs and external market disruptions.

“Meanwhile, Canada’s federal government is reinforcing its stance on investment in the sector,” he said. “Natural Resources Minister Jonathan Wilkinson has made it clear that Canada is open for business – as the country looks to strengthen its position in global supply chains for critical minerals.”
Wilkinson also announced a two-year extension of the 15% mineral exploration tax credit, injecting $110 million into the sector to accelerate project development. Rodriguez reaffirmed that these policy moves underscore what industry leaders at SME MINEXCHANGE and PDAC made clear: that the mining industry is evolving quickly, and technology, sustainability and supply chain security are at the heart of its transformation.

At SME MINEXCHANGE, for instance, discussions focused on the growing role of digital twin technology and simulation modeling in optimizing material handling. Mining companies are increasingly relying on real-time data and AI-driven analytics to improve efficiency, reduce operational risks and lower costs.

“This signals a push toward data-driven decision-making and the optimization of material handling networks,” he said. “The mining industry is facing mounting pressure to increase productivity while reducing operating costs. Companies that integrate these technologies now will position themselves for long-term success.”

Similarly, the focus at PDAC this year shifted to how the industry can bring new projects online faster while maintaining high environmental and social standards, said Rodriguez. He highlighted that the demand for critical minerals needed for the energy transition is surging, and supply chains needed to keep up.

According to Tas Mohamed, CEO of Railveyor, there was real urgency to bring new projects online, but speed must come with sustainability and operating effectiveness.

“The industry is embracing new technologies and innovative approaches to ensure we can deliver the minerals needed for the energy transition without compromising productivity and a return on investment,” said Mohamed.

She added that Northern Ontario is emerging as a focal point for this transformation, with significant investment and momentum in mining innovation. With Premier Ford pushing for faster project approvals and Minister Wilkinson reinforcing Canada’s openness to investment, the challenge now is responsible execution – to ensure that these projects move forward efficiently while upholding responsible mining practices.

“The transformational shift in mining that was under the spotlight at both SME MINEXCHANGE and PDAC highlighted the importance of haulage and supply chain,” she said. “Across the industry, there is a growing recognition that efficient operations supported by optimized material movement is just as critical as resource extraction itself.”