acQuire Connected

In today’s episode, we’re looking at how unpacking how mining companies in South Africa can move from simply ticking boxes to creating lasting change in a community around a mine operation.We’re joined by Dr. Poobie Pillay, Head of Transformation Sustainability at Ivanplats, and Maritha Erasmus, who leads our social performance solution, Insite, here at acQuire.  When it comes to social performance, South Africa has strict regulations when it comes to managing  the people invested and involved in mining. But beyond the scorecards and reporting frameworks, today we discuss what real transformation of a local community surrounding a mine operation can look like and how does data play a role in this?Dr. Pillay shares his work on a local procurement model that partners established businesses with women and youth in rural areas — helping to build locally owned enterprises with the backing of mentorship and funding.We’ll also explore the powerful role of data in making social impact visible, and how companies can balance corporate procurement goals with genuine community empowerment.From enterprise development to impact measurement, this episode is all about using procurement as a lever for transformation.

In this episode of acQuire Connected, we sit down with Warren Carvey, Partnerships Leader at acQuire, to explore how interoperability is transforming the mining industry. With nearly two decades at acQuire, Warren shares his insights on connecting technologies, improving data flow, and fostering collaboration through the Nova Network partner program. Discover how seamless data integration is driving smarter decision-making, real-time collaboration, and a more connected digital ecosystem for mining companies worldwide.

In this episode of acQuire Connected, we’re joined by two experts in the field: Carinka van der Watt, IM Governance, Risk and Compliance Specialist at Thungela, and Maritha Erasmus, who leads acQuire’s social performance solution, Insite.We dive into:how to manage social performance data in a way that’s both responsible and measurablethe challenges of working with scattered or unreliable datawhat it really takes to set up a good data governance framework, andhow technology is making a real difference on the ground.

In this episode of acQuire Connected, we sit down with Jared Armstrong, founder of wHole Solutions, to explore why geoscientists need to shift their focus from "big data" to something far more foundational—master data.Jared shares insights from his recent article “Big Bertha and Beyond: Rethinking Data Strategies for Mining Geoscience,” where he challenges the industry's obsession with big data and makes the case for robust master data management as the true game-changer.We discuss what master data means in a mining and exploration context, the risks of poor data governance, early warning signs of weak data foundations, and how geoscientists can build stronger data strategies from the ground up. Plus, we touch on where AI fits into the picture—and why it’s only as good as the data beneath it.If you want to learn more, Jared is hosting a seminar, "Managing Geological Data - It Matters" in Queensland, Australia, with the Australian Institute of Geoscientists. Don't miss out!

When you think about productivity in mining, you probably picture big machines, efficient teams, and streamlined supply chains. But what about your data?In this episode, host Jaimee Nobbs chats with acQuire’s Steve Mundell and Stuart van de Water about why data management is one of the most underrated drivers of productivity in mining. They dig into how even small improvements in how data is collected, shared, and used can make a big impact on everything from safety and compliance to decision-making and stress levels on site.They also talk about the role company culture plays, how to spot data bottlenecks, and why resilience isn't just about having the right tools, it’s about using them in the right way.If you're heading to IMARC, keep an ear out - Stu will be diving into this topic even further on stage. You can find him on Wednesday, 22 October at the Continental Mining Innovation Theatre from 1:25 - 1:45 PM AEDT presenting, "The Data Ripple and the Law of Unintended Consequences". Check out the full program here: https://imarcglobal.com/program

In today's episode, we sit down with Charl Retief, Mining Value Stream Leader at acQuire, and discuss the evolution of geological data management and what happens when the people, process and technology framework gets out of alignment in a company, before diving into acQuire's newest product, GIM Essentials. Charl goes through what it is, who it's designed for and how it can support companies in resource development with their geological data management.You can learn more about GIM Essentials here: https://www.acquire.com.au/products/gim-essentials/

In this episode, we're joined by two great speakers with a wealth of knowledge in the environmental space. Claire Cote is a Director of the Centre for Water in the Minerals Industry at the University of Queensland’s Sustainable Minerals Institute. They're doing world-leading research to develop knowledge-based solutions to meet the global sustainability challenges facing the resource industry. Claire is joined by Stuart van de Water, Environmental Leader at acQuire. In this chat, we cover how to define and measure environmental performance, the challenges and opportunities for companies in the mining and resources sector to report on their environmental impact and, how to position your environmental data as a strategic business asset rather than just a box-ticking exercise. To find out more about the work Claire's team is doing at the University of Queensland, email Claire at c.cote@uq.edu.au or visit https://smi.uq.edu.au/

In this episode, we sit down with Susan Androvich, Database Superintendent at Northern Star Resources. Susan shares her experience and learnings migrating a mine site's geological data across to GIM Suite, as well as some of the common challenges she's faced working with data in the resources industry and how her role has changed with the implementation of new technology.

Today, we sit down with Yulia Merrill, a leader in the information management and governance space and President of the Perth chapter of DAMA. In this discussion with Yulia, we cover what makes data unique, why data governance is so critical, how poorly managed data can impact companies and then get into the practical steps that companies can take to build a robust data governance framework. Learn more about DAMA here or follow them on LinkedIn to find out about upcoming events and learning opportunities.

What’s buried in our old logs and spreadsheets could shape your next discovery. But when should or shouldn’t you bring this data into your geological database? On this episode of acQuire Connected, we sit down Nikki Arnush, Exploration Geologist and Database Administrator at Freeport McMoRan, and Adam Dunstall, Operations Manager at acQuire, to explore the value of and challenges behind migrating historical geoscientific data into a database.

Making informed decisions is more crucial than ever for the mining and resources sector. Whether it’s monitoring environmental impact, ensuring regulatory compliance, or optimising resource extraction, businesses rely on vast amounts of data to drive efficiency and sustainability. But data alone is not enough. Companies need the right people, processes and technology in place to transform data into actionable insights as the key to success.To explore how industry leaders are using technology to tackle their complex data challenges, acQuire hosted a panel discussion at PDAC 2025, led by acQuire CEO Alison Atkins, featuring guest speakers:Kyra Meyer, Managing Director at Kyfer Operational Improvement Cornelia Holtzhausen, Executive Management in mining, and David Henderson, Chief Growth Officer of the Americas at Fleet Space Technologies.

In this episode of acQuire Connected, we sit down with Stuart van de Water, Environmental Leader at acQuire, and Daniel Woodcock, Partner Manager of EnviroSys at acQuire to discuss how to get your environmental data ready for 2025 and beyond.

Today we sit down with Gary Ephraim, Commercial Manager - Black Mountain Mining at Vedanta Zinc International, and Audrey Steenkamp, Regional Commercial Manager for Insite at acQuire to delve into the role social performance data plays in building stakeholder relationships and trust, particularly within the South African mining and resources space.

In today's chat, we sit down with Jess Kozman, Data Management Practitioner at Katalyst, and Steve Mundell, Director of Product at acQuire. We dive into what the mining and resources industry can learn and leverage from the energy sector when it comes to data management standards and practices - looking at how both industries have evolved over time from both a technological and cultural perspective, and how they'll continue to evolve with new technologies coming through. They then compare how the two industries differ from a regulatory standpoint and discuss what onus is on companies to become good corporate citizens.

This podcast episode is recorded from acQuire's panel discussion live from the tradeshow floor at PDAC 2024. In this discussion, our three industry panelists share their experiences in the mining and resources industry partnering with external data management experts for success. Facilitated by Paul Whelan from acQuire, we are joined by Joe Makori from KamLak, Al Turner from Fortitude Gold and Niti Gupta from ERM.

The 'S' in ESG, representing Social, is a crucial yet often challenging component to define and measure within Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) frameworks. Social impact focuses on the inclusion and capacity building of communities. This presents an opportunity for companies to foster socioeconomic participation and build relationships with these communities, government and institutions. What social impact looks like though, and the regulatory requirements for this, are different in every country, presenting challenges unique to every country. In this episode of acQuire Connected, we’re joined by Loyiso Ndlovu, Head of Sustainability and ESG at Sibanye Stillwater, and Maritha Erasmus, Social Intelligence Value Stream Leader at acQuire to explore: • how companies are defining and measuring the ‘S’ in ESG • what key challenges all companies face when reporting on their social impact, and • where they see the future state of social impact reporting heading.

The way company’s report on their environmental compliance is being watched and scrutinised more than ever before. It’s no longer enough to publicly declare the efforts of a company without sufficient evidence; stakeholders and investors working in the natural resources sector want to see data-backed reporting of a company’s environmental performance and initiatives. The two waves of innovation driving how companies use their environmental data are: • changes to regulatory standards around how companies report their data • advances in technology that shape how we capture, report and analyse environmental data. This week’s podcast guests, Stuart van de Water, Environmental Leader at acQuire, and Che DeDear, EnviroSys Commercial Manager, sit down with us to explore the emerging regulatory changes and technological trends shaping how companies report on their environmental data.

Modern mining operations generate massive volumes of data throughout exploration, production, and resource management. This has given rise to many complex data management challenges including how the mining industry handles data volume and variety, data quality and integrity, accessibility to data, and many more. On this week’s episode of acQuire Connected, we’re joined by Niti Gupta, a geoscientist with more than a decade of experience in delivering comprehensive geological and environmental solutions, to unpack how integral data management is to the mining industry. Throughout the episode, we explore the challenges that mining companies face across data management and analysis, what effective data management can mean for sustainability efforts and regulatory reporting, common misconceptions around database management, and the future trends in data management practices.

In today's world of environmental reporting, there's a noticeable shift in how companies approach the way they manage their environmental impact. Rather than merely paying lip service, companies are now expected to take tangible actions and make a genuine impact on stakeholders and the environment around them. To make this transition, companies are turning to their environmental data as a crucial resource. While the concept of capturing environmental data isn’t novel, the use of data for analysis and its role in forecasting and decision-making has gained significant importance. In our latest podcast episode, we sit down with Stuart van de Water, Environmental Leader at acQuire, and Michael Wowkodaw, Technology Adviser at acQuire, to delve into the realm of environmental data management including: - how and why companies are collecting environmental data, - types of environmental data that companies commonly collect but may not report on, and - what companies can do to get on top of their information management today to get the most out of their existing data.

With data being hailed as the "new gold," companies in the mining industry are swiftly adapting their data management practices, leveraging it not only for operational efficiency but also to meet increasing regulatory and compliance demands. This week’s guest, Steve Mundell, Director of Product at acQuire, delves into the evolving landscape of data management in the mining industry. In this episode, Steve sheds light on the complexities of navigating the "alphabet soup of regulations", the imperative for robust data management practices, how companies navigate cyber security in an era of data-driven mining operations and explore the future of data management.