As the mining industry continues to evolve, emerging and evolving technologies are dramatically transforming the landscape of mineral exploration. Innovations in geophysics, along with better utilization of existing tools, are enhancing the effectiveness of exploration and development efforts across the globe.
The GEOMIN Symposium, organized by the Society of Exploration Geophysicists (SEG), will take place under the patronage of H.E. Mr. Bandar Ibrahim Alkhorayef, Minister of Industry and Mineral Resources, Saudi Arabia, and hosted by the Saudi Geological Survey. This key event in Saudi Arabia will explore critical questions surrounding the future of mining, mineral exploration, and geoscientific innovation in the years to come.
The super region comprising Africa, Central Asia, and the Middle East is at the forefront of securing critical and rare-earth minerals essential for the global energy transition and digital transformation. Major investments in geoscience technologies are positioning Saudi Arabia as a leader in resource exploration and innovation, making this region a hub for advancing geophysical methods and enhancing exploration strategies.
In preparation for the symposium, SEG hosted a virtual panel discussion* moderated by John Bradford, Vice President of Global Initiatives at Colorado School of Mines. Titled “A New Era of Mining: Discovering Untapped Potential Across Africa, Central Asia, and the Middle East,” the panel brought together experts from Saudi Arabia, South Africa, France England and United States of America to discuss the ongoing evolution of mining and its impact on the future of geophysics.
*To access this virtual panel discussion, click the button below.
Key Insights from Panelists
Khalid Al Hawas: Advancing Geophysical Techniques in Mineral Exploration
Khalid Al Hawas, Director of the Geological Services Center at the Saudi Geological Survey, emphasized the need for more sophisticated geophysical techniques to accelerate mineral exploration. With over 30 years of experience in exploration, Al Hawas has pioneered the development of advanced geophysical workflows and subsurface geomechanics, including a patented 3D fracture modeling method that has contributed significantly to the field.
In his current role, Al Hawas is leading efforts at the Saudi Geological Survey to design and conduct geohazard and mineral studies. He highlighted Saudi Arabia’s commitment to advancing geo-mineral innovation and the importance of smarter, more responsible exploration methods.
“Platforms like GEOMIN will foster collaboration and innovation, helping the mining industry achieve its goals with more efficient, responsible, and sustainable approaches,” said Al Hawas.
Catherine Truffert: Reducing Exploration Timelines and Bridging Data Gaps
Catherine Truffert, President of IRIS Instruments and SEG board director-at-large, offered valuable insights into the industry’s growing paradox. While demand for critical raw materials is surging, the time required to transition from discovery to mine production remains painfully long—often 15 to 20 years.
Truffert, with her 20+ years of experience at the French Geological Survey (BRGM), has deep expertise in geology and geophysics (airborne, seismic, gravity, and electric methods). She underscored the need to drastically shorten the exploration timeline to meet growing demand for metals like copper, lithium, manganese, and zinc.
“Modern exploration requires high-resolution, non-invasive, and fast geophysics,” Truffert explained. “We must reinvest in greenfield exploration while continuing to optimize brownfield exploration to meet long-term demand. Data sharing and integration across disciplines—geophysics, geology, and geochemistry—are critical to making smarter resource-targeting decisions.”
She stressed that platforms like GEOMIN could play a vital role in bridging these gaps and engaging a new generation of geophysicists, enabling them to use cutting-edge techniques to fast-track exploration.
Junior Potgieter: Unlocking New Pathways with Integrated Data
Junior Potgieter, Global Strategy Head for Minerals and Mining at Viridien, shared his vision for the future of exploration, where combining new and historical data will be crucial to unlocking untapped resources. Potgieter emphasized that while most of the “easy” elements have been discovered over the last 4,000 years, the industry must now explore more complex and deeper targets.
He highlighted the potential of integrating large regional surveys with historical data to speed up the exploration process. This data-driven approach, combined with advanced subsurface imaging, will allow the industry to discover new mineral resources more efficiently.
“There’s a wealth of mineral resources in regions like North Africa and Central Asia that can support sustainable development for the future,” Potgieter said, underscoring the need for responsible resource utilization.
David Khoza: Tapping Into the Arabian-Nubian Shield’s Potential
David Khoza, Technical Director at Integrated Geoscience Solutions, brought forward his expertise in the Arabian-Nubian Shield, a largely unexplored geological formation rich with untapped mineral potential. With years of experience in mineral exploration at BHP Billiton, Khoza highlighted the exciting opportunities in the region and the importance of collaboration in advancing exploration.
“The Arabian-Nubian Shield holds tremendous potential for the next generation of mines. This region is rich in geological diversity and untapped resources,” Khoza explained. He stressed that for the industry to fully unlock this potential, collaboration and data-sharing are paramount.
“Together, as an industry, we can make strides in accelerating exploration and discovering new deposits, unlocking both economic and environmental value,” Khoza added.
The Future of Geoscientific Innovation
The insights shared by Khalid AlHawas, Catherine Truffert, Junior Potgieter, and David Khoza highlight a common theme: the future of exploration lies in leveraging advanced geophysical techniques, integrating vast datasets, and fostering collaboration across borders and industries. As the demand for critical minerals grows, these innovations will be crucial in ensuring that the mining sector can meet global needs while promoting sustainable development.
SEG, in collaboration with the Saudi Geological Survey and other industry leaders, is committed to providing a platform for discussing and advancing these innovations at the GEOMIN Symposium, scheduled for 12–14 October 2025, in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.
Call for Papers
SEG encourages all geophysical innovators to participate in the technical sessions of this industry-leading event. The deadline to submit an abstract is 30 May 2025.
