Mining the Future: AI, Connected Operations and Digital Transformation

15 September 2026 | 09:00 - 13:00 | 4Sight @ Fourways

FROM DIGITAL AMBITION TO OPERATIONAL IMPACT

An executive mining workshop exploring how Industrial AI, connected operations, trusted data and digital intelligence are shaping mining performance

Join us for an half-day Executive Mining Workshop & Thought-Leadership Session, bringing together global industry insight and practical operational expertise to explore how AI, connected operations and digital transformation are reshaping the future of mining.

Featuring Glenn Kerkhoff, Global Industry Principal for Mining, Metals & Minerals at AVEVA, the session will examine what leading mining organisations around the world are doing differently — and what it takes to move from digital ambition to measurable operational impact. Through expert-led discussions, practical examples and interactive sessions, we will explore how trusted data, Industrial AI, connected ecosystems, Digital Twins and energy intelligence can enable better decisions, stronger operational performance and more sustainable mining operations.

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Complete the short form to secure your place.

Executive Outcomes

  • Global Perspective

    Understand how leading mining organisations are approaching digital transformation and Industrial AI.

  • AI Readiness

    Assess whether your operational data foundation is ready to support trusted AI-driven decision-making.

  • Connected Operations

    Explore how connected ecosystems, Digital Twins and the digital thread can improve visibility across the mine lifecycle.

  • Energy & Performance

    Understand how energy intelligence can reduce operating costs while advancing sustainability and decarbonisation objectives.

Meet the Presenters

Keynote & Executive

  • Glenn Kerkhoff

    Glenn Kerkhoff

    Global Industry Principal, Mining, Metals & Minerals

    AVEVA

  • Cornu Perold

    Cornu Perold

    Industrial Digital Transformation Specialist

    AVEVA

  • Tertius Zitzke

    Tertius Zitzke

    Group CEO

    4Sight

  • Wilhelm Swart

    Wilhelm Swart

    Chief OT Officer, Operational Technologies

    4Sight

  • Charl Marais

    Charl Marais

    Optimisation Divisional Lead

    4Sight

  • Handre Dreyer

    Handre Dreyer

    Director, Operational Technologies – Simulation

    4Sight

Presenting Team

  • Ruan Small

    Ruan Small

    MES & DT Engineer

    4Sight

  • Uvarl Lala

    Uvarl Lala

    APM Engineer

    4Sight

  • Vanessa Rufo

    Vanessa Rufo

    APM Engineer

    4Sight

  • Christa Dowd

    Christa Dowd

    Digital Energy BU Lead

    4Sight

  • Chris-Marie van Wyk

    Chris-Marie van Wyk

    MES & DT Engineer

    4Sight

  • Koos du Toit

    Koos du Toit

    APM BU Lead

    4Sight

Programme

6 sessions covering industrial AI, connected operations and the digital mine.

08:45 – 09:00
15 min

Welcome & Opening Remarks

Wilhelm SwartWilhelm SwartChief OT Officer, Operational Technologies, 4Sight
Tertius ZitzkeTertius ZitzkeGroup CEO, 4Sight

A short welcome and framing of the morning ahead. From a global perspective, to trusted data, to a connected ecosystem, to a digital thread across the full mine lifecycle, to energy intelligence that cuts cost and carbon. By lunch, every delegate should be able to see exactly where their own operation fits.

09:00 – 10:00
60 min

Opening Keynote – Mining, Minerals & Metals Open Mic: Global Mining Trends, Customer Success Stories and the Future of Digital Mining

Guest Speaker
Glenn KerkhoffGlenn KerkhoffGlobal Industry Principal, Mining, Metals & Minerals, AVEVA
Cornu PeroldCornu PeroldIndustrial Digital Transformation Specialist, AVEVA

Drawing on lessons from leading mining operations around the world, Glenn shares practical insights into digital transformation, AI adoption, operational excellence, and where the global mining industry is heading. The session will be interactive, allowing attendees to ask questions and discuss real-world customer experiences.

10:00 – 10:45
45 min

AI Readiness Starts with Data – From Data to Decisions

Charl MaraisCharl MaraisOperational Technologies Divisional Lead, 4Sight
Ruan SmallRuan SmallMES & DT Engineer, 4Sight

Building the foundations for Industrial AI through trusted operational data, connected information, contextualisation and advanced analytics. Topics include AI readiness, industrial data quality, machine learning, copilots, and turning operational data into better business decisions.

10:45 – 11:15
30 min

Networking Tea Break

11:15 – 11:50
35 min

The Connected Digital Ecosystem – CONNECT, Advanced Analytics & Machine Learning: Connecting the Mining Value Chain Smarter, Safer and More Sustainably

Chris-Marie van WykChris-Marie van WykMES & DT Engineer, 4Sight
Uvarl LalaUvarl LalaAPM Engineer, 4Sight
Vanessa RufoVanessa RufoAPM Engineer, 4Sight

How a modern industrial data ecosystem connects mine planning, processing plants, maintenance, engineering, logistics and enterprise systems into a single digital platform. Discussion includes CONNECT, advanced analytics, machine learning, enterprise AI, Microsoft Fabric integration, and collaboration across the mining value chain.

11:50 – 12:25
35 min

Digital Twins Across the Mine Lifecycle – Unified Engineering, Unified Namespace, Information Management & Digital Twins

Panel Discussion
Handre DreyerHandre DreyerDirector, Operational Technologies Simulation, 4Sight
Koos du ToitKoos du ToitAPM BU Lead, 4Sight
Charl MaraisCharl MaraisOperational Technologies Divisional Lead, 4Sight

Demonstrates how engineering information, operational technology, industrial data and digital twins combine into a single digital thread across the complete lifecycle of a modern mine—from design and construction through commissioning, operations, maintenance and continuous optimisation.

12:25 – 13:00
35 min

Energy Intelligence for Competitive Mining – Optimising Energy, Sustainability and Industrial Performance

Christa DowdChrista DowdDigital Energy BU Lead, 4Sight
Wilhelm SwartWilhelm SwartChief OT Officer, Operational Technologies, 4Sight

Covers energy optimisation, electrification, decarbonisation, ESG, industrial intelligence, predictive optimisation, reducing operating costs and improving sustainable mining performance through integrated operational data, AI and real-time operational intelligence.

13:00 – 14:00
60 min

Lunch & Networking

Join us for lunch and continue the conversation with speakers and industry peers.

Agenda is subject to change.

Event Details:
📍 Location:  4Sight @ Fourways, 28 Roos street, Fourways 
📅 Date: 15 September 2026
⏰ Time: 08:30 Registration  | 08:45 - 14:00 

Why Attend? | Mining the Future

Why Attend?

  • Hear a global mining perspective first-hand

    Glenn Kerkhoff (AVEVA) on what leading mines worldwide are doing differently, and where transformation programmes typically stall.

  • Understand what AI readiness actually requires

    Why trusted, contextualised industrial data is the prerequisite for Industrial AI, and how to tell whether your data is ready.

  • See operational silos closed in practice

    How CONNECT, advanced analytics and machine learning bring operations, engineering, maintenance and enterprise data into a single view.

  • Follow the digital thread end to end

    How Unified Engineering, Unified Namespace and Digital Twins link mine design to daily production and asset performance across the full lifecycle.

  • Turn energy into a margin lever

    How Energy Intelligence reduces operating cost, optimises consumption and accelerates decarbonisation targets you already report on.

  • Leave with a sequenced starting point

    Not a technology wish list, but a view of what to do first, second and third for your operation.

  • Meet the people doing the work

    Direct access to 4Sight’s OT, APM, MES and Digital Energy leads over tea and lunch.

Register Here!