02 Sep 2026
Mining and Metals
Why data quality is the real AI challenge in the mining industry
Insights
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Artificial intelligence (AI) is playing an increasingly important role in the mining industry. Predictive maintenance for critical equipment, energy optimization, improved metallurgical recovery, asset monitoring and process anomaly detection are just a few of the many applications with significant potential benefits.However, when an AI project fails to deliver the expected results, the problem rarely lies with the algorithms themselves.In our experience, the main obstacles are usually related to data quality, availability and structure. Even the most sophisticated models cannot produce reliable recommendations if the data they rely on is incomplete, inconsistent or difficult to use.Before we talk about artificial intelligence, we first need to talk about data.
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25 Jan 2024Energy and chemical processesProducing iron ore for the direct-reduced iron market
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Catherine Pelletier, P.Eng.
Senior Engineer, Process Mining and Metals
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08 Jan 2024Power and RenewablesAdvanced HV-lab testing and condition assessments
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Ali Naderian, PhD, PEng, PE, SM IEEE
Principal Advisor, High Voltage Services
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12 Dec 2023Power and RenewablesEmpowering health and safety: leveraging resilience and innovation in workplace
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06 Dec 2023Power and RenewablesDeveloping a reliable mining decarbonization plan
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Dave Olsthoorn, P.Eng., M.A.Sc.
Engineer, Energy and Air Quality
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07 Nov 2023Mining and MetalsWhen mining for metals such as copper, lead, nickel, zinc, and gold, it is often necessary to mine, process and store materials that could be at risk of exhibiting a phenomenon called “self-heating” or “spontaneous heating.” Self-heating materials present unique and serious risks to a mining operation; however, such risks can be appropriately mitigated if the self-heating behaviour of a material is properly understood by conducting characterization, or MASH, testing. BBA has an experienced team and a dedicated material testing laboratory ready to tackle any self-heating concern or engineering problem.Sulphide self-heating behaviours, risks, mitigation and prevention-
Patrick Beaulieu, EIT
Engineering Intern, Mechanical and Structural
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06 Nov 2023Other industriesPivo-Mesh and March-Mesh
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Omid Sargazi, P.Eng., P.E.
Senior Engineer, Civil
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11 Oct 2023Mining and MetalsConveyor belt misalignment can negatively impact production and operating costs
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Luis Ramirez, P.Eng.
Principal Engineer, Mechanical
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29 Sep 2023Power and RenewablesDesigning foundations on silty soil
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20 Sep 2023Ingenious women – Yiru Wang
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Yiru Wang, P. Eng.
Mechanical Engineer
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09 Aug 2023Mining and MetalsIn Part 1 of this blog article, we began explaining structural steel design, strength and the components that influence fatigue life. We learned that there are many things to consider when designing structural members and that practicing engineers need to have a high-level understanding of the basics of fatigue and fracture in engineering design. We will now continue to list the other influences to fatigue life, provide strategies to resolve them and indicate how to calculate hot spot stress and remaining fatigue life. If you have not yet read Part 1 of this blog article, we suggest you do so before reading Part 2.Expert Techniques for Fatigue Evaluation in Industrial Steel Structures – Part 2
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Omid Sargazi, P.Eng., P.E.
Senior Engineer, Civil
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20 Jul 2023Power and RenewablesEnsuring sustainability by tackling the climate crisis
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12 Jul 2023Power and RenewablesPurposeful planning for mining decarbonization
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Dave Olsthoorn, P.Eng., M.A.Sc.
Engineer, Energy and Air Quality
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23 Jun 2023Ingenious women – Tatiana Guerrero
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22 Jun 2023Mining and MetalsUnderstanding Fatigue in Steel Structures: Fundamentals and Prevention Strategies
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Omid Sargazi, P.Eng., P.E.
Senior Engineer, Civil
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21 Jun 2023Power and RenewablesRespect and transparency as foundations for lasting partnerships
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15 Jun 2023Power and RenewablesOperational data: the driving force behind transparency
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Souheil Sabbagh, P.Eng., MBA
Vice-President, Digital Expertise
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31 May 2023Ingenious women – Lyne Ricard
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Lyne Ricard, P.Eng.
Senior Consulting Expert, Advanced Fuels and Chemicals
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18 May 2023Power and RenewablesKnowledge as a catalyst: digital power systems take hold in industry
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Marc-André Perron, P.Eng.
Director, Management - Digital Power Systems
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03 May 2023Mining and MetalsProperly preparing a strategic plan to pump mine tailings
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Guylaine St-Jean, P.Eng.
Senior Engineer, Industrial and Hydro
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28 Apr 2023The thing that convinced me that engineering was for me was the instant connection I had with my colleagues right from my early days in university. I’m not sure if it's the complexities of engineering, but there’s a great deal of knowledge sharing and an exceptional level of mutual support. Everyone works together, so everyone gets better.Ingenious women – Julia Gartley
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Julia Gartley, P.Eng., MBA
Office director
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27 Apr 2023Power and RenewablesPreserving biodiversity: an attainable challenge for industry
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10 Apr 2023Power and RenewablesThe transition to renewable energy is more accessible than ever, and it’s not just about environmental benefits
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François Vitez, P.Eng.
Vice-President, Power and Renewables Market
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23 Mar 2023Power and RenewablesNoise exposure in the workplace: changes coming soon in Québec
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15 Mar 2023Power and RenewablesEnergy efficiency can generate substantial savings. So, where should we start?
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03 Mar 2023Mining and MetalsThis blog article is intended to explain verification methods for slurry piping systems that are subject to periodic sanding. These methods ensure proper engineering for operational safety without overdesigning. While designing slurry piping systems, establishing one specific design criteria may come to the forefront: how to adequately evaluate weight increase in a sanded pipe and which average slurry specific gravity (SG) to use. BBA recently came across this situation on one of its brownfield projects. This is presented as a case study herein.Slurry pipe sanding: BBA approach for load case design criteria in brownfield projects
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Roman Dorfman, P.Eng.
Principal Engineer, Piping
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27 Feb 2023Ingenious women – Mina Shahraki
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Mina Shahraki, P.Eng., P.E.
Department Manager, Civil
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16 Feb 2023Power and RenewablesCarbon neutrality: What if the first step to achieving it is closer than you think?
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Dave Olsthoorn, P.Eng., M.A.Sc.
Engineer, Energy and Air Quality
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08 Feb 2023Energy and chemical processesRemoving carbon dioxide from the atmosphere to meet Paris Agreement targets
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Anthony Blouin, P.Eng.
Senior engineer, Process
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07 Feb 2023Mining and MetalsManaging hectic projects with agility and efficiency
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Bernard Gilbert, P.Eng.
Principal Project Manager, Project Management Services
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26 Jan 2023''There were three things that influenced my journey into engineering. First, I grew up watching my father tinkering, and he passed on his love of hands-on work to me as well as his curiosity about the things around us. Then, in high school, the FIRST team came to my school, and I was thrilled by the technical aspects of it, but also by how cool robotics is. Finally, I’m a real sci-fi fan and in Star Trek: Voyager, the chief engineer was a smart and confident woman. It may sound funny, but she was the first female engineering role model I had, and she was the one who helped me see myself as an engineer.Ingenious women – Angela Hsu
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Angela Hsu, P.Eng.
Department Manager, Mechanical and Structural
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