Dr Paul Shelley, Molycop’s VP of Global Innovation, says the industry is accelerating towards a new model defined by decarbonisation, digitalisation and reimagined flowsheets.
Key Facts
- Dr Shelley says how quickly mine operators can reduce energy and water use in processing has become a critical challenge for the sector.
- Digital transformation is maturing, with robotics, automation, digital twins and generative AI all now embedded in operational planning.
- Molycop’s digital and AI-powered solutions are already helping customers reduce variability and make faster, more confident operational decisions.
A forum for transformation
“Procemin-Geomet is always a valuable barometer of where the industry is heading,” Dr Shelley explains. “This year gathered more than 700 participants, over 120 technical papers from 18 countries, eight plenary sessions, and a strong academic and student presence. The scope was broad – from geometallurgy and sampling to flotation and recovery – but the underlying current was clear: the industry is accelerating towards a new model defined by decarbonisation, digitalisation, and reimagined flowsheets.”
For Dr Shelley, the conference is unique in blending technical depth with commercial reality:
It’s a place where suppliers, operators and academics share openly, but always with an eye on real-world adoption. That balance is crucial because the transformation mining is facing is not theoretical – it’s urgent.
Net Zero as a defining imperative
“The most relevant discussion was the commitment to Net Zero carbon,” Dr Shelley says. “It’s no longer a question of if, but how quickly, mining can reduce energy and water use in processing. The CEEC workshop made it clear that water scarcity and energy intensity are redefining the social license to operate.The flowsheet of the future will be leaner, drier and far less reliant on grinding media.
He adds that while such change won’t happen overnight, the direction is unmistakable: “We are witnessing a paradigm shift in how comminution is conceived. The industry is exploring dry milling, high pressure grinding rolls (HPGR), ore sorting and vertical roller mills not as niche technologies, but as serious pathways to decarbonisation.”
Digital transformation maturing
Dr Shelley notes that the conference also highlighted the maturing role of digital transformation.“[Mining company] Collahuasi’s presentation was telling – robotics, automation, digital twins and even generative AI are now embedded in operational planning. But the message is: these are long-term investments. Returns take time, patience and confidence in the data. That’s a healthy reality check.”
The companies that succeed will be those that combine technical excellence with the courage to adopt new approaches.
Artificial intelligence, in particular, stands out. “AI is no longer hypothetical – it’s being used for mill drive monitoring, predicting grindability and concentrator process control. The real value is in reducing variability. When operators can detect patterns earlier, they can make better, faster decisions. That’s where technology translates into bottom-line impact.”
Molycop’s leadership
For Molycop, Procemin-Geomet is a platform to showcase leadership. “Our team presented on the Ball Mill Abrasion Test (BMAT), wear modelling and SAG ball sizing,” Dr Shelley says. “This was the first time a dedicated grinding media session was included at the conference – a recognition that media selection is no longer an afterthought, but a critical lever for performance and sustainability.”He highlights that Molycop’s role goes beyond supplying consumables. “Our focus is on innovation – whether it’s developing new wear models, providing digital tools for operators, or contributing to industry-wide conversations on decarbonisation. That’s what differentiates us.”
New ways of thinking needed
Asked about his main takeaway, Dr Shelley is clear: “The industry is moving quickly. Net Zero, AI and alternative comminution flowsheets are not distant trends – they’re immediate forces shaping decisions today. The companies that succeed will be those that combine technical excellence with the courage to adopt new approaches.”For Molycop, the path forward is well defined. “Our priorities are to continue building digital solutions that reduce variability, expand our work on sustainability and lifecycle impact, and deepen collaboration with customers. What miners want are partners who bring not just products, but insight, innovation and trust. That is exactly where Molycop is positioning itself.
“The mining industry is transforming before our eyes,” Dr Shelley concludes. “And Molycop is determined to lead that transformation – with science, with innovation and with partnership.”
Dr Paul Shelley's five key takeaways from Procemin-Geomet:
- Mining’s future is leaner and greener – The industry is moving rapidly toward decarbonisation, with a strong push for energy- and water-efficient flowsheets and technologies like dry milling and ore sorting.
- Digital tools are moving from concept to core – AI, automation and digital twins are no longer experimental – they're being actively used to improve decision-making, reduce variability and drive performance.
- Grinding media takes centre stage – The inclusion of a dedicated grinding media session at Procemin-Geomet signals a shift: media selection is now seen as a key performance and sustainability lever.
- Innovation must meet urgency – The pace of transformation in mining is accelerating, and companies must embrace bold, innovative solutions – not just for competitive edge but for long-term survival.
- Molycop aims to be a trusted innovation partner – Beyond supplying products, Molycop is focused on delivering insight, digital tools and sustainable technologies to help customers meet modern mining challenges.
