Geological modelling tools, including Maptek GeologyCore and AI-assisted Maptek DomainMCF, were evaluated for up to four weeks, supported with documentation and technical assistance from Maptek’s global team.

First prize in the 2025 Maptek Geology Challenge was awarded to Dr. Jen Ellis, Superintendent of Mine Geology & Resource for Rio Tinto Kennecott, whose project showed that the machine learning capabilities of DomainMCF, combined with implicit modelling, can deliver robust decision-making for complex deposits.

Dr. Jen’s work focused on the Bingham Canyon deposit – one of the world’s largest and longest-lived open-pit mines. With more than 120 years of mining history, Bingham Canyon has produced a uniquely comprehensive geological dataset, including lithological, geochemical and structural data from decades of drilling and mapping, making it an ideal testing ground for advanced modelling techniques.

This project drew on an immense volume of information, incorporating over 6,000 drill holes and more than one million blast hole samples. Using DomainMCF, Jen demonstrated how machine learning can outperform traditional implicit methods for large datasets. The software’s ability to test multiple scenarios and identify lower-confidence areas revealed insights that would not be suited to a manual process at this scale.

Reflecting on the process, Jen noted, “DomainMCF is unique because it gives measurable confidence outputs, like confusion matrices. Looking at those matrices highlighted areas of uncertainty that matched my understanding, but it also flagged areas I didn’t expect. That pushed me to ask, ‘Why don’t I understand this?’ and dig deeper.” Addressing common concerns around machine learning, Jen added, “One perceived issue is that it’s a ‘black box.’ You put your data in, and you get data out, but you don’t know what the algorithm did. The benefit of DomainMCF is that it provides quantifiable insights, which highlight uncertainty and potential biases. It either reaffirms what you already suspect or flags something new to investigate.”

Second prize in the 2025 Maptek Geology Challenge was awarded to Bahati Moshally, a master’s student at Clausthal University of Technology. His thesis focuses on characterising the primary dispersion halo of a transitional porphyry–epithermal gold deposit through spatial modelling of lithology, alteration, and the distribution of gold and associated hydrothermal elements. He entered the challenge to explore how a machine learning–based modelling approach would perform when applied to lithological and alteration domains, and to assess how these results compared with traditional geological interpretation and implicit modelling workflows.

The findings were that GeologyCore’s implicit modelling tools offered excellent control over object shapes, allowing alignment of the model with geological interpretation. It was Moshally’s view that Maptek offers “one of the most robust and modern approaches to geological modelling in the industry.”

Particularly impressive about this entry was that Moshally was using DomainMCF and GeologyCore software for the first time. This is not only testament to the participant’s skills and dedication but also speaks volumes as to the accessibility of the software tools on offer from Maptek.

Third place Josh Maurer of Carmeuse North America applied GeologyCore and DomainMCF on two distinct projects, concluding that even when provided with limited drilling information, DomainMCF was able to produce a realistic block model. “You can’t shy away from technology. If you do, you’re missing opportunities. Geology evolves, and you have to adapt. The more tools you have in your toolbox, the more efficient and accurate your workflows will be,” suggested Maurer.

The Maptek Geology Challenge is about evaluating new directions for geological modelling, using exciting, innovative technology, to solve the modelling problems presented today.

Global Customer Success Manager Henry Dillon highlighted the high calibre of entries in this year’s competition, “It has been another year of inspiring submissions to the Maptek Geology Challenge. It was especially exciting in this year’s challenge to see how people combined machine learning, implicit modelling and practical geology to improve decision-making on real deposits.”

Congratulations to Dr. Jen F. Ellis, Bahati Moshally and Joshua Maurer on their standout entries to the 2025 Maptek Geology Challenge. Maptek extends our thanks to all participants for their time, effort, and willingness to share ideas on geological techniques. It is through this collaboration and exchanging of knowledge that we strive to be Smarter Together.

Maptek has increased its shareholding in PETRA from 25 to 100 per cent, following a strategic partnership that began in 2019. The acquisition brings together two technology companies founded by mining professionals, united by a shared commitment to unlocking value through deeper orebody knowledge and geological variability.

Founded more than 40 years ago, Maptek develops integrated solutions that enable mining organisations to transform data into knowledge across every stage of the mining lifecycle. PETRA, established over a decade ago, is recognised globally for its advanced orebody learning software, which leverages data fusion, ore tracking and machine learning to deliver granular, high‑accuracy insights that optimise the mine‑to‑mill value chain.

“Maptek is invested with PETRA because their technology adds significant value to our customers’ data in ways that were truly first‑of‑their‑kind,” said Peter Johnson, Chairman of Maptek. 

“PETRA invented digital mine to mill AI software, and they remain well ahead of the industry. By bringing PETRA fully into the Maptek group, we can support their continued innovation while delivering even greater value to our customers.”

Importantly, PETRA will continue to operate as a standalone business, retaining its strong brand, culture and technology‑agnostic approach. Dr Penny Stewart will remain as CEO, ensuring continuity for customers, partners and employees.

“Maptek and PETRA speak the same language,” said Penny Stewart, CEO of PETRA.

“We share the same fundamental purpose: using orebody knowledge to create value across the mine value chain. This acquisition allows PETRA to remain agile and independent, while benefiting from Maptek’s global network and corporate support.”

Both companies emphasised that their immediate focus remains on delivering innovation and value to customers. PETRA is progressing toward the release of MAXTA 6.0 in 2026, featuring advanced agentic AI designed to convert optimisation insights directly into measurable value for mining operations.

Integration opportunities between Maptek and PETRA technologies will be further explored in future phases.  Maptek’s new Vestrex platform enables automation of data management, computation and workflows and decision support across the whole mining value chain and will enable customers to leverage the power of both companies’ solutions in ways not possible before. 

With most mining technology providers now owned by equipment manufacturers or private equity, Maptek’s continued independence offers customers confidence, flexibility, and a long‑term focus on solving high‑value mining challenges.

Together, Maptek and PETRA aim to redefine how orebody intelligence is created, shared and applied across the mining industry.

About PETRA

PETRA is a global leader in orebody learning software that leverages data fusion, ore tracking, and machine learning. This technology allows mining professionals to optimise the mining value chain, increase overall equipment efficiency, and benefit from the revolutionary accuracy of orebody knowledge at a granular level.

PETRA’s software is purpose-built by mining professionals who are serious about creating value through geological variability.

The name “PETRA” is from the Greek feminine word ‘petra’, meaning “stone, rock”.

Vestrex creates extraordinary value by making connections between diverse data sources without constraints of product, application, process or format. Data in the cloud encourages stakeholders across mining roles, teams and organisations to collaborate and explore new use cases for their technical data beyond traditional applications.

Automation streamlines operations through real-time data and process integration, and accelerates decision making processes. Orchestration builds on computational power and automated workflows to unlock value from technical data and mining systems. 

Global Strategy Manager, James Mackenzie commented on the interest surrounding Vestrex during MINExpo. 

‘Everyone we spoke to could immediately think of a way they could apply Vestrex to their organisation,’ Mackenzie said. ‘All of the ideas were different and all of them were achievable, because Vestrex enables collaboration on many levels, limited only by imagination!’

‘Customers can expect effortless data transfer between cloud and desktop environments, with data managed securely from a centralised platform,’ Mackenzie added. ‘They will also be able to work with Maptek to orchestrate custom processes that handle their particular challenges.’

The new platform is based on three key pillars—data services, cloud computing and orchestration—sharing a common vision for solution integration and inter-process workflows.

Maptek Data Systems (MDS) is the integration hub for ingesting data from anywhere through open APIs.  MDS enables native in-app integration with Maptek desktop solutions and manages version control and publishing permissions through Maptek Account.

The second pillar in the Maptek ecosystem, Maptek Compute Framework (MCF) is already powering machine learning and optimisation in Maptek scheduling and domain modelling solutions. Time-consuming calculations can be completed on scalable resources for on-demand results. 

The third and newest pillar, Maptek Orchestration Environment (MOE) is the key to unlocking value through collaboration, according to Mackenzie. 

‘Vestrex connects algorithms, executables and transformations to leverage computational power, scalability and parallelisation across business and technical systems. If you can get your data into Vestrex, Maptek can help transform it into value.’ 

An important feature is the flexibility to incorporate ‘human in the loop’ review and analysis at any stage within automated processes. Customisation of decision trees and unrestricted complexity mean the use cases are limitless. Robust data security includes encryption and backup protocols that protect sensitive information for operational continuity.

Mackenzie sees the true power of Vestrex as the ability to bind data and computations to create automations that streamline processes and data pipelines, integrating them within broader business workflows. 

‘Making data accessible and consumable across multiple stakeholders, including non-technical users, at every stage of the mine life cycle fosters collaboration that can discover new and unexpected use cases in a way that redefines industry standards,’ Mackenzie concluded.

Miners who believe Vestrex can unlock additional value at their operation should contact Maptek to inquire about the early access program.

Estimates of the capital expense and operating costs during mine life, along with internal rate of financial return, were determined based on the principles taught during the semester.

Students noted that the project was the most realistic, real-world application of their learnings, and they gained additional value when applying it to their honours studies.

Maptek Senior Technical Solutions Specialist Steve Sullivan said the winning team demonstrated the professionalism and technical skills required to transition to full-time employment within the mining industry. 

‘The group covered the project scope comprehensively for designing and planning both open-cut and underground operations, and the critical transition between them,’ Sullivan said.

‘Importantly, they produced an easy-to-read and comprehensive report about their feasibility study. The quality of their work puts them in good stead to further expand upon their university learnings and apply themselves to the global mining industry.’

Maptek staff taught five weeks of mine design during the first university semester and helped judge the student reports alongside Associate Professor Dr Chaoshui Xu.

Senior Geomodeller with Newmont Mining Corporation, Oblitas receives a personal prize of US$500 and a 6-month DomainMCF subscription for his company.

Entries displayed a range of modelling techniques and applications, and judging was tight, resulting in a tie for second place awarded to Ed Lynch, Superintendent Exploration Geology, SIMEC and Danielle Karbishev, Resource Estimation Geologist, Fortescue.

Oblitas highlighted the chance to work with real data from an active mine and apply innovative methodologies to enhance geological modelling. His report defined the challenges of accurately predicting vein behaviour at depth, especially with limited data, and noted significant improvements in model accuracy and efficiency.

‘The ability to integrate various geological inputs—such as lithology, structural data, mineralogical information and vein intensity—was invaluable,’ Oblitas said. 

‘The reduction in processing time from weeks to just a few hours greatly facilitated model updates and more timely decision making in exploration and resource estimation.’

Oblitas noted that the flexibility of the Domain Manager in GeologyCore, which enabled the creation of custom rules and rapid testing of different structural scenarios, was key to overcoming the deposit complexity. 

‘The integration of multivariable inputs, including lithological, vein intensity and mineralogical data, allowed for a more accurate and detailed representation of the deposit’s structural framework—something that was challenging to achieve with traditional methods,’ Oblitas commented.

Danielle Karbishev jumped at the opportunity to trial GeologyCore and DomainMCF to increase efficiency for the Fortescue Resource Modelling and Estimation team and assess the potential applications of machine learning.

The biggest surprise for Karbishev was the ability of DomainMCF to rapidly generate grade estimations comparable to those produced via established estimation methods such as kriging. 

‘Geological volume model outputs and grade predictions drastically improved with more detailed geological input data, however purely data-driven models can also be used to identify trends and structures prior to interpretation and domaining,’ Karbishev said. 

‘More testing is required but it is clear that machine learning could revolutionise resource modelling and estimation as technology advances!’

In terms of GeologyCore, Karbishev found that the 3D drillhole visualisation options were particularly useful for validation of drillhole coding against modelled surfaces, as well as stratigraphic domain interpretation using multi-element geochemistry and downhole geophysical data. 

‘Domain Manager allowed rapid flagging, processing and compositing of the drillhole database while Sample Manager enabled direct transfer of validated data points to DomainMCF for modelling.’

Superintendent Exploration Geologist for SIMEC, Ed Lynch was keen to apply DomainMCF to specific situations in their haematite and magnetite operation, to test whether it could make things easier for geologists on site and unlock more time to go out and ‘kick the rocks’.

‘The complexity of the geological setting we work in presents significant challenges to our geologists when it comes to 3D modelling and grade control,’ Lynch explained.

‘DomainMCF was simple to use and incredibly fast. When given enough data it was able to produce similar results to more traditional human-driven modelling processes. I think it is particularly suited to grade control type modelling scenarios,’ Lynch concluded.

Now in its fourth year, the Maptek Geology Challenge provides an opportunity to experiment with cutting-edge technology to create models directly from raw data, that are accurate and transformative for resource modelling and production applications.

The theme for 2024—geological control for geological models—encouraged participants to combine their expertise with the power of machine learning to create models that accurately reflect geology.

Maptek provided geological modelling tools including GeologyCore and AI-assisted DomainMCF for up to four weeks, supported with documentation and technical assistance from our global team.

Steve Sullivan, Senior Geology Specialist and Technical Lead for DomainMCF, said that the Geology Challenge was founded to inspire geologists to engage with new approaches. The Challenge provides a low risk environment to test real data with the latest technology and explore avenues for improving existing practices.

‘The winning entries were strong examples of tackling problems that are difficult to solve with traditional methods, and demonstrated the use of novel techniques to control their geology,’ Sullivan said. ‘Recommendations for software improvements have already been passed on to our development teams.’

Maptek appreciated the time and effort dedicated to the challenge and the willingness of participants to share ideas around geological techniques. Together, we can inspire even more innovation!

Announcing the 2024 inductees during MINExpo International, Maptek CEO Eduardo Coloma thanked each of them for their commitment to promoting technology in mining.

The award recognises exceptional people who have championed Maptek products.

‘They have made lasting industry contributions and inspired others through their passion,’ said Coloma. ‘What stands out is a willingness to lead by example and share enthusiasm with others so that our solutions are widely understood and easily adopted at their operations.’ 

‘We value such connections with our customers – their feedback and collaboration has helped to refine our tools and enhance applications for all industry users.

‘Maptek prides itself on strong customer relationships, with more than 30,000 licences currently in use worldwide. Many individuals and corporations have deployed our technology since 1981. It is gratifying to acknowledge these nine leaders today,’ said Coloma.

2024 Hall of Fame

Senior Mine Engineer at Freeport McMoRan, John Combs has led innovations in geomechanics and slope optimisation using advanced technologies like LiDAR and drone photogrammetry. His work has significantly impacted mine reclamation and design conformance across various roles during his 15-year career.

With over 50 years of experience in mine management and geology, Bill Everett has championed the use of modern technologies in the iron ore industry, including computer-based truck dispatch and mine engineering. As Manager of Mining & Mineral Resources at Mesabi Metallics, he continues to promote sustainable mining practices.

President & CEO of Emperor Metals, John Florek brings over 35 years of expertise in geology and mining, having held senior roles with major companies like BHP and Barrick. Known for his innovative use of machine learning in exploration, he continues to drive advancements in the development of high-grade gold deposits.

As General Manager of Technical Services at Whitehaven Coal, Shaun Leary has over three decades of experience in leadership and technical roles across various sectors, including mining and finance. He has played a key role in advancing the use of Maptek solutions in coal mining and remains committed to leveraging cutting-edge technologies for future growth.

Vice President of Ontario Operations for Agnico Eagle, Andre Leite has more than 20 years of operational, technical and project management experience in the gold, base metals, uranium and iron ore mining industries. A Maptek customer for over a decade, he uses applications for geological and resource modelling, short and long term mine planning, geotechnical modelling, and drill and blast processes.

With nearly 30 years of experience in the mining industry, Toby Prior is a Resource Geologist and co-owner of Measured Group Pty Ltd. A dedicated Vulcan user since 2003, he excels in applying stratigraphic modelling tools to create more accurate, reliable models, especially for structurally complex mining projects.

Head of Mineral Resource Management at Nevada Gold Mines, Patrick Ruffridge brings a wealth of experience in resource geology and ore control, having worked across multiple mining districts. A strong advocate for data-driven workflows and team development, he has been instrumental in enhancing geology’s role in maximising mining value.

With 25 years of experience in geology across gold, nickel and iron ore operations, Brent van Dijken is Principal of the Problematic Ore Project at BHP. He has been a key leader in leveraging Vulcan 3D modelling tools to improve drill design, resource modelling and materials handling, while also driving product enhancements through close collaboration with Maptek.

Managing Director of AVCS, Andrew Vidale has nearly four decades of expertise in open pit mine evaluation, covering pit optimisation, design and cost modelling. His collaboration with Maptek, spanning more than 30 years, continues as he leverages Evolution for medium-term scheduling across diverse mining projects.

‘These champions have set a standard of excellence by encouraging their teams to adopt the latest solutions. Future generations will benefit from their legacy,’ concluded Coloma.

Please join us in congratulating the 2024 Hall of Fame inductees!

Evelyn is the Group Manager Materials and Innovation for the Callidus Group, which provides high-end flow control solutions to the oil and gas, mining, and renewable energy industries. 

She holds a PhD, MASc, and BASc in Materials Engineering from the University of Toronto, Canada. Her passion for engineering was ignited as an undergraduate in Japan, inspired by a prominent female leader to pursue further study.

Evelyn’s career began with First Quantum Minerals at Africa’s largest copper mine in Zambia, and her professional journey spans five continents, including roles in Canada, Japan, Finland, Zambia and Australia.

After immigrating to Australia, Evelyn progressed from a materials engineer at Callidus Group to a subject matter expert in forensic investigations. In her current role as Group Manager of Materials & Innovation, she has developed four patents, with two already commercialised and a third in the pipeline.

Evelyn commented on her personal and professional journey after winning the Western Australian State award and becoming a national finalist.

Seven years ago, I embarked on a journey that led me from Canada to Australia to be with my husband and raise our daughter. To transition from rebuilding my career from scratch to receiving this award is truly special. I’m thrilled and honoured to be a part of this dynamic industry, filled with innovation, passion and endless possibilities.

Maptek inaugurated the Technological Innovation category in 2020 to celebrate the achievements of women who promote technology in mining. It also recognises the innovative solutions that they have developed or applied in the Australian resources industry.

Maptek CEO Eduardo Coloma acknowledged Evelyn’s outstanding dedication and innovation.

‘Evelyn’s leadership at Callidus Group and impressive track record of patents reflect her passion and hard work. We’re excited to see such achievements recognised, and to celebrate a remarkable career and inspiring journey. Maptek is proud to support this award, and to honour excellence in the industry,’ said Coloma.

Other finalists for 2024 were Dr Karin Soldenhoff (Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation, NSW), Lesley Tankard, (Rio Tinto, Northern Territory) and Claire Graham (Aurizon, Queensland). Maptek thanks all of the entrants for their contribution and wishes them well in their future endeavours.

Evelyn joins an elite group who have won the Maptek Woman in Technological Innovation award since 2020.

• Joana Sousa for her role as Lead Data Scientist at BMA, spearheading the pursuit of machine learning and data science excellence
• Emily Jaques for leading development of an ore flotation circuit that fundamentally changed the optimal economic grind at Newcrest Cadia Valley Operations 
• Alison Van Lent for her work on FUSE, a sophisticated 4D digital twin platform created by the Intelligent Assets team at Woodside Energy
• Larnie Mackay for pioneering digitisation of underground coal mining at Anglo American Metallurgical Coal

Will is currently studying for a double degree, working towards graduating in 2024 with a Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) (Electrical and Electronic) and a Bachelor of Mathematical and Computer Sciences. 

While he attributes hard work to playing a part in achieving good results, he also thinks it important to do something you are genuinely interested in, quoting the old saying, find a job you enjoy doing, and you will never have to work a day in your life. Will also learnt a lot by taking the time to develop skills through side projects and volunteering expertise.

‘Computer Science provides such a variety of different problems to solve. You could be working on a user-friendly GUI one day, and then on a highly performant data processing pipeline the next. There’s something for everyone’, he said.

Ratcliffe said that it was always an honour and pleasure to be involved in such presentation events.

‘This is even more so when so many of the recipients are familiar faces that have been engaged in Maptek projects during their graduate studies,’ he said.

‘Partnering between our emerging technical talent, their educational institutions and industry generally is a vital part of growing Australia’s prosperity. I’m sure Will Smart will continue making a significant contribution to this in coming years. Congratulations to him and all the other award winners’, Ratcliffe concluded.

Will expressed his gratitude to Maptek’s support through the award. It has given him an understanding of what achievements are possible with dedication and commitment. 

‘On a personal note, it has given me a greater level of confidence in my abilities and will help me to slowly overcome the imposter syndrome that is often felt as a young professional entering the workforce’, he said.

As for the future, Will sees a lot of interesting opportunities. His internship experiences have been in various unrelated areas. 

‘I enjoyed them all, but if I had to give an answer, my dream career sits somewhere at the intersection of hardware and software’, he concluded.

The confidential survey uniquely measures the employee experience and its component themes, including employees feeling Respected & Supported, Enabled to Grow, and Empowered to Execute, to name a few.

‘Earning a Top Workplaces award is a badge of honor for companies, especially because it comes authentically from their employees, said Eric Rubino, Energage CEO.

‘That’s something to be proud of. In today’s market, leaders must ensure they’re allowing employees to have a voice and be heard. That’s paramount. Top Workplaces do this, and it pays dividends.

‘We are truly honored to receive this recognition as a Top Workplace by the Denver Post for a second year in a row. This acknowledgment underscores our commitment to fostering an employee-centric and flexible work environment, a culture shaped by the dedication and contributions of our incredible team members over the years,’ said Jon Dale, Senior Director of People at Maptek.

About Maptek
Maptek has been at the forefront of innovative mining technology for more than 40 years. Our solutions target all mining types and commodities, providing the link between the geological, spatial design and execution stages and safe, productive operations.

Maptek builds strong relationships with our customers and the wider industry, valuing collaboration as a key path to success. Our staff are motivated by excellence, innovation and improvement.

Listening to customers and research into industry trends helps ensure that we embrace the latest technologies in developing practical, decision-support solutions that meet the needs of miners.

Maptek believes that the key to make mining more efficient is to support miners to make better decisions. Integration is particularly important as it enables them to transform technical data into knowledge at every stage of the mining life cycle. Ultimately by fully integrating that knowledge, Maptek will change the way mining is done forever.

About Energage
Making the world a better place to work together.^TM

Energage is a purpose-driven company that helps organizations turn employee feedback into useful business intelligence and credible employer recognition through Top Workplaces. Built on 18 years of culture research and the results from 27 million employees surveyed across more than 70,000 organizations,  Energage delivers the most accurate competitive benchmark available. With access to a unique combination of patented analytic tools and expert guidance, Energage customers lead the competition with an engaged workforce and an opportunity to gain recognition for their people-first approach to culture. For more information or to nominate your organization, visit energage.com or topworkplaces.com.

Scheduled to take place May 7–9 in Johannesburg, the conference offers a dynamic program filled with diverse presentations, practical workshops and networking opportunities. Delegates can anticipate gaining unparalleled access to industry leaders and Maptek experts from around the globe, ensuring a wealth of knowledge transfer and collaboration.

Expert insights and innovative solutions

‘Attendees can look forward to gaining expert insights from thought leaders addressing critical industry challenges facing the mining sector today,’ says Badisheng Morena, Business Development Manager, Africa.

‘With a focus on fostering operational excellence, discussions will delve into strategies for navigating economic volatility, maximising production value, improving design conformance, and driving innovation across the mine life cycle.’

Moreover, the conference will showcase cutting-edge Maptek hardware and software solutions designed to optimise every stage of a mine’s life cycle. From exploration and planning to production and rehabilitation, delegates will explore innovative technologies aimed at enhancing efficiency, productivity, and sustainability.

Smarter together

One highlight of the conference is hands-on workshops led by Maptek experts, providing delegates with opportunities to master new skills and earn certifications.

Networking sessions and interactive discussions will allow professionals to connect, share best practices and foster collaboration.

Create tomorrow

As the mining industry continues to evolve, the Maptek Africa Users Conference 2024 serves as a catalyst for shaping the future of mining through collaboration, innovation, and operational excellence. By bringing together industry leaders, experts, and professionals, the conference aims to empower attendees to drive positive change and achieve sustainable success in their operations.

Don’t miss out on this opportunity to gain insights, discover solutions, master new skills, and connect with peers. Join us at the Maptek Africa Users Conference 2024 and be a part of shaping the future of mining. For more information and to register, visit https://www.maptek.com/users_conference/africa/

Maptek Africa Users Conference 2024

7–9 May at the Killarney Country Club, Johannesburg, South Africa

Special 20% discount offer available, visit the website to learn more.