Behind the Scenes with Bryan

Episode 196: A Conversation with Will Conrad from Canary Systems

30 Oct 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Will is a Monitoring Technology Solution Architect at Canary Systems, Inc. He and I discuss the many benefits of hosting monitoring data on the Canary...

Episode 195: A Conversation with Paul Weibel

23 Oct 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Paul is the Chief Executive Officer at 5E Advanced Materials, Inc. 5E is focused on enabling decarbonization, helping the world’s food security cris...

Episode 194: A conversation with Michael Hartley of Interknowlogy

09 Oct 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Michael is the Managing Director, Mining and Energy at Interknowlogy, a company who helps organizations unlock actionable insights and streamline oper...

Episode 193: A conversation with Todd Wisdom

25 Sep 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Todd is a Principal Consultant (Non-Conventional Tailings) at SRK in Denver, Colorado. Todd and I discuss many aspects regarding technology advancemen...

Episode 192: A conversation with Ed Sage

18 Sep 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Ed Sage is a Geospatial Solutions Specialist and InSAR Scientist - Satellite Mapping at Viridien, an advanced technology, digital and Earth data compa...

Episode 191: A Conversation with Kathrine Dompierre

11 Sep 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Katherine is the User Success Manager for Geotechnical Analysis at Seequent. She and I discuss their GeoStudio software.

Episode 190: A conversation with Rick Friedel

28 Aug 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Rick is a Principal with Klohn Crippen Berger in Vancouver. He is a geotechnical engineer who says he works with hi clients to find practical and sust...

Episode 189: A conversation with Lakshmin Bachu

21 Aug 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Lakshmin is a senior director at NexWayv, Inc, a company that specializes in water management projects, especially dams of all sorts. Lakshmin and I d...

Episode 188: A Second Conversation with Mike O'Kane (Part2)

14 Aug 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Mike is the Founder and Senior Technical Advisor of Okane Consultants. Okane helps mining companies return the land responsibly and safely at the end ...

Episode 187: A conversation with Ben Murphy

07 Aug 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Ben has been involved in the mining industry for the majority of his working life and has experienced the industry from some very different perspectiv...

Episode 186: A Conversation with Jeremy Boswell

17 Jul 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Jeremy is a Senior Associate / Senior Tailing Engineer at Thurber Engineering Ltd. in Calgary. He obtained his Bachelors and Masters degrees from the ...

Episode 185: A second conversation with Juan Ayala

10 Jul 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Juan is a Senior Geotechnical Engineer at KCB Australia Pty Ltd. in Perth, Australia. Juan and I once again get together to hear about what he's been ...

Episode 184: A Conversation with Chelsea Burdon

03 Jul 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Chelsea is the President of Elevate Civil Engineering, where she leads civil and geotechnical projects, such as tailings, dams, and mining infrastruct...

Episode 183: A conversation with Chat GPT

26 Jun 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode I test Chat GPT on its knowledge of the current state of tailings management.

Episode 182: Another conversation with Mike O'Kane (part 1)

04 Jun 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Mike is the Founder and Senior Technical Advisor of Okane Consultants. Okane helps mining companies return the land responsibly and safely at the end ...

Episode 181: A conversation with Caius Priscu

29 May 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Caius is a specialist civil geotechnical engineer with over 30 years of experience in dams, embankments and earthworks, from concept studies to detail...

Episode 180: a conversation with Scott Martens

22 May 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Scott has 30 years of technical and leadership experience in geotechnical engineering, with a focus on mining and dam safety. Scott has led multi-disc...

Episode 179: A conversation with Jason West

07 May 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Jason is the Managing Director of Powerhouse Renewables in Perth, Australia. Powerhouse is seeing good results from some work they've completed with R...

Episode 178: a conversation with Mike O'Kane

23 Apr 2025

Contributed by Lukas

This is a lengthier episode, so buckle in for a long ride.Mike is the Founder and now a Senior Technical Advisor to O'Kane Consultants. Mike is a fell...

Episode 177: a conversation with Debbie Struhsacker

10 Apr 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Debbie is a hardrock mining policy expert with over 30 years of hands-on expertise with the environmental and public land laws and regulations pertain...

Episode 176: A conversation with Satish Rao (2)

03 Apr 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Satish is the Managing Director, Clareo, a think tank that is involved in many industrial sectors. As their website says, Clareo is a leading global s...

Episode 175: A conversation with Sina Javankhoshdel

20 Mar 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Sina is a geomechanics product manager at Rocscience. He led the development and improvement of Slide2 and Slide3, two of the most advanced software t...

Episode 174: A conversation with Chad LePoudre (Part 2)

13 Mar 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Chad is an internationally recognized, experienced and competent geotechnical engineer, project and operations manager, executive and technical princi...

Episode 173: A conversation with Allison Coppel

06 Mar 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Allison has had a pretty amazing career, and now specializes in ESG, Sustainability, Community Engagement, Social Impact, Holistic Investments in Natu...

Episode 172 A conversation with Alastair Bovim

27 Feb 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Alastair leads Insight Terra, a company at the forefront of developing real-time monitoring solutions for tailings storage facilities. Based in South ...

Episode 171: A conversation with Hannah Thomas

20 Feb 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Hanna is Geohazard & Ground Engineer at Geovert, a world leader in natural hazard mitigation solutions. She is a self-proclaimed rock and dirt ner...

Episode 170: A conversation with David Reid

13 Feb 2025

Contributed by Lukas

David Reid is a Principal Tailings Engineer with Red Earth Engineering, A Geosyntec Company in Perth, Western Australia, but more importantly he runs ...

Episode 169: A conversation with Chad LePoudre

06 Feb 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Chad is an internationally recognized, experienced and competent geotechnical engineer, project and operations manager, executive and technical princi...

Episode 168: A conversation with Ben Wickland

30 Jan 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Ben is a Senior Principal Geotechnical Engineer with WSP in British Canada. Ben and I discuss the many merits and challenges associated with comingled...

Episode 167: A conversation with Kim Morrison (Part 2)

23 Jan 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Kim literally needs no introduction. She has worked for many years in the consulting world (both with large companies and on her own). She was also t...

Episode 166: A conversation with Kim Morrison (Part 1)

16 Jan 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Kim literally needs no introduction. She has worked for many years in the consulting world (both with large companies and on her own). She was also t...

Episode 165: A conversation with Siamak Paulson

05 Dec 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Siamak is a tailings and landfill specialist, and the overseer of TNA, Tailings News Alerts.

Episode 164: A conversation with Julie Lucas

21 Nov 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Julie is the Executive Director of Mining Minnesota. Julie leads a coalition of community and industry leaders who advocate for responsible production...

Episode 163: A conversation with Kim Ferguson

07 Nov 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Kim is the Global Director of Mine Closure at WSP. She has over 25 years of experience in resource projects in most states of Australia and internatio...

Episode 162: A conversation with Omar Smith

12 Sep 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Omar is with WSP where he is an Assistant Vice President -Civil Engineer. He is also Vice Chair of the SME Environmental Division Board as well as Vic...

Episode 161: A conversation with Assheton Carter

29 Aug 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Assheton is the CEO of TDi Sustainability. TDi Sustainability is a global consulting firm that enables business to thrive while living in harmony with...

Episode 160: A conversation with Marco Arrieta

15 Aug 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Marco is the Head of the Geotechnical Department at Line Creek Operation of Elk Valley Resource. He is a geotechnical engineer with over 15 years of e...

Episode 159: A conversation with Ryan Sistad

08 Aug 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Ryan is the Executive Director at Better In Our Back Yard. We discuss the many challenges regarding permitting a mine in the US.

Episode 158: A conversation with Terry Braun

31 Jul 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Terry is President (North America) at SRK Consulting. Terry and I discuss his impressive career and provide advice to the next generation of engineers...

Episode 157: A conversation with Marcelo Llano

25 Jul 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Marcelo is a geotechnical engineer with Red Earth Engineering Pty Ltd, now a part of Geosyntec. In this episode Marcelo discusses a recent paper on co...

Episode 156: a conversation with Benjamin Neville

18 Jul 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Benjamin Neville is the Managing Director of the Saligna Management Group. He is Australian based, and a standout in project management and leadership...

Episode 155: A conversation with Catherine Lalut

11 Jul 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Catherine is an experienced mining engineer with 12+ years in the mining industry, specializing in both underground and open pit operations, and a pro...

Episode 154: Snoop rides again

30 May 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Don't blame this on Snoop. It’s parody.

Episode 153: A conversation with Joe Scalia

02 May 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Joe is an Associate Professor of Civil & Environmental Engineering at Colorado State University. Amongst other things Joe and I discuss cover desi...

Episode 152: A conversation with Dr. Ashok Ghosh

25 Apr 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Ashok is an Associate Professor, Mechanical Engineering and Adjunct Faculty, Civil Engineering , New Mexico Tech at New Mexico Institute of Mining and...

Episode 151: A conversation with Rens Verburg

19 Apr 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Rens is a Technical Fellow with WSP and a geochemist with more than 30 years of experience in the mining industry.

Episode 150: A conversation with Carlo Cooper

28 Mar 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Carlo is a director at Minebridge Software, the developers of Muk3D. Carlo and I chat about the capabilities of is software and how it's making TSF de...

Episode 149: A conversation with Carlos Hubner

07 Mar 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Carlos is the RTFE at the Cobre Panama mine which is owned by First Quantum Minerals. The mine is currently under shutdown orders by the Panamanian go...

Episode 148: a conversation with Lindsay Newland Bowker

22 Feb 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Lindsay is an expert in risk management and Executive Director at World Mine Tailings Failures. We discuss here amazing career, and her involvement in...

Episode 147: A conversation with Justin Walls.

15 Feb 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Justin is an Associate Partner and Principal Civil Engineer at SRK in Johannesburg, South Africa, specializing in mine closure. Justin and I discuss h...

Episode 146: A conversation with Tim Fitton

08 Feb 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Tim Fitton is an independent tailings/geotechnical engineer in Australia, running Fitton Tailings Consultants. Amongst other things Tim and I discuss ...

Episode 145: A conversation with Marcelo Llano

18 Jan 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Marcelo is a geotechnical engineer with Red Earth Engineering Pty Ltd, now a part of Geosyntec. In this episode Marcelo discusses the material point m...

Episode 144: A conversation with Vikram Yadav

12 Jan 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Vikram Yadav is an Associate Professor in the chemical and biological engineering department at the University of British Columbia and the Director, M...

Episode 143: A conversation with Greg Beischer

04 Jan 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Greg is the Chief Executive Officer and President of Alaska Energy Metals Corporation. Alaska Energy Metals Corporation (AEMC) is working on a large-s...

Episode 142: A conversation with Mike Ravella

28 Dec 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Mike Ravella is the Chief Innovation Officer at Veracio. In this episode we discuss Veracio’s research, innovation and technology for the mining i...

Episode 141: A conversation with Sabrina Dias

13 Dec 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Sabrina is the founder and CEO of SOOP Strategies. We talk about her amazing career and what SOOP does for their clients. SOOP offers mining and susta...

Episode 140: A conversation with Matthew Gialich from Astroforge

30 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Matt is the co-Founder and CEO at AstroForge, an ambitious company who was partnered with Elon Musk's SpaceX in hopes of mining platinum group met...

Episode 139: A conversation with Marco Arreta

15 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Marco is the Head of Geotechnical Department - Line Creek Operation for Teck Resources. Marco is researching the shear strength characteristics of was...

Episode 138: A conversation with Ken Rahal

26 Oct 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Ken is the Director of Tailings Solutions at FLSmidth. Amongst other things, Ken and I discuss the current practices and trends in filtration and Ecot...

Episode 137: A conversation with Satish Rao

18 Oct 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Satish Rao is a business advisor and a mining expert helping shape the future of sustainable growth for the industrial economy. Currently, he serves ...

Episode 136: A conversation with Alex Pienaar

05 Oct 2023

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode I speak with Alex Pienaar from Bentley Systems, specifically about their data management systems, iTwin IoT and sensemetrics.

Episode 135: Snoop does the tailings rap

12 Sep 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Don't blame this on Snoop. It’s parody.

Episode 134: A conversation with Michael Ingwersen from Circular Mine

07 Sep 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Michael and I primarily discuss the goals of his company, Circular Mine, which is to reduce/eliminate mine waste primarily by finding viable uses for ...

Episode 133: A conversation with Walter Weining.

17 Aug 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Walter is a hydrogeologist based in Stantec's Brisbane office. Among other things, Walter and I discuss current and future trends tailings dam monitor...

Episode 132: A conversation with Dana Bennett

27 Jul 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Dana is the interim president of the Nevada Mining Association. She is also the past president.

Episode 131: A conversation with UCAL Davis student Brahian Roman

13 Jul 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Brahian and I discuss his recent paper, "Non-Linear Dynamic Analysis of Filtered Dry Stacked Tailings Using the SANISAND-Sf and PM4Sand Constitutive M...

Episode 130: A re-broadcast of a conversation with Bill Kappel from Applied Weather Associates

06 Jul 2023

Contributed by Lukas

I happened to run into Bill recently in Belo Horizonte. This was a really good episode. Among other things, Bill and I discuss probable maximum precip...

Episode 129: A re-broadcast of my interview on the Mining Minds podcast

29 Jun 2023

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode, I am interviewed by the guys at the Mining Minds podcast.  Mining Minds are a group of friends in Northeastern Nevada who all work ...

Episode 128: A rebroadcast of my interview by Rob Tyson

22 Jun 2023

Contributed by Lukas

I was a guest on Rob Tyson's podcast: DIG DEEPER. Here is what we discussed.

Episode 127: a rebroadcast of my conversation with Shawn Steiner

15 Jun 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Shawn and I discuss in situ testing

Episode 126: A Conversation with Aniseh Dadashi, PhD student at the University of Alberta

25 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Aniseh is a geotechnical engineer and PhD student in the UAlberta Geotechnical Centre at the University of Alberta. She is studying the geotechnical a...

Episode 125: My son interviews me.

20 Apr 2023

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode the tables are turned on me, and I let my journalist son ask me the questions for a change.

Episode 124: A conversation with Dale Rucker from HGI

13 Apr 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Dale is a hydrogeophysist with HydroGeophysics Inc. We talk about challenges and prizes for using geophysics in mining projects. You can find out more...

Episode 123: A conversation with Heather Kaminsky

15 Mar 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Heather is with the Northern Alberta Institute of Technology (NAIT).  She is the self-professed oil sands "Queen of Clay".  She is working...

Episode 122: A conversation with Sam Rivet from Photosat

02 Mar 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Sam and I discuss how his company uses satellite stereo pairs, along with various light spectrum to make their assessments, including their assessment...

Episode 121: A conversation with Dawn Larsen from Epiroc Digital Solutions Canada

23 Feb 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Dawn is the Digital Solutions Manager for Epiroc Digital Solutions Canada  To schedule a No-cost Digital Roadmap Strategy Session: dawn.larsen@e...

Episode 120: A conversation with Jurgen Hahn from BOKELA

16 Feb 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Jurgen and I chat about the filtration equipment that his company manufactures and sells.  You can find out more about his company at www.bokela.com

Episode 119: An interview of Nahyan Rana

02 Feb 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Nahyan Rana is a PhD candidate at the University of Waterloo and a Geoscientist-in-Training at Klohn Crippen Berger, specializing in Engineering Geolo...

Episode 118: A conversation with Anita Beritson

25 Jan 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Anita is a Partner and Director of Recruiting at the recruiting firm Brooks & Nelson LLC.  She has a pretty amazing career which she shares w...

Episode 117: A conversation with Abigail Paul from the University of Alberta

12 Jan 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Abigail is a graduate student at the University of Alberta's Geotechnical & Geoenvironmental program.  We talk about her recent paper, "COMPARING ADA...

Episode 116: A conversation with Haley Schafer

05 Jan 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Haley is a geotechnical engineer who recently completed her PhD at the University of Alberta.  Amongst other things, Haley and I discuss her CDA awar...

Episode 115: My holiday poem 2022

22 Dec 2022

Contributed by Lukas

In this ode to my father, I hope I can evoke some wonderful memories from your own past.

Episode 114: Karen Chovan and Monica Ospina discuss their way of coupling technical and social aspects of tailings management.

15 Dec 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Karen and Monica have a different way to couple social and technical aspects of tailings management.  They have jointly launched their new Tailin...

Episode 113: A conversation with Lois Boxill

16 Nov 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Lois is a geotechnical engineer working in the mining industry.  Lois and I discuss her ideas on mine closure and much more.  

Episode 112: A Conversation with Pascale Rouse from Itasca

10 Nov 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Pascale is a geotechnical engineer with a PhD from the University of British Columbia.  Pascale worked in academia for several years before joini...

Episode 111: A conversation with Gavan Hunter

27 Oct 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Gavan is a geotechnical/dams engineer based in Melborn, Australia. He is now working for himself at Hunter Geotechnical.  Hunter and I discuss ch...

Episode 110: A conversation with Jorge Macedo

13 Oct 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Jorge is an Assistant Professor Geosystems Engineering at Georgia Institute of Technology.  Amongst other things, Jorge and I discuss the TAILENG...

Episode 109: A conversation with Keith and Anuj from Partners in Performance

22 Sep 2022

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode I speak with Keith Russell and Anuj Arya of the global energy transition advisory firm Partners in Performance.  You can find out mor...

Episode 108: A conversation with Marcelo Llano

15 Sep 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Marcelo Llano is a Principal Geotechnical Engineer with Red Earth Engineering Pty Ltd in Brisbane.  Marcelo and I discuss various topics and challeng...

Episode 107: A conversation with Martin Griffin

08 Sep 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Martin is a geotechnical engineer with Knight Piesold in the UK.  Martin and I discuss many topics related to tailings, but also some challenges bein...

Episode 106: A conversation with Arnoud Star Busman from Minehub Technologies

31 Aug 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Arnoud and I discuss how his company uses blockchain to assist supply chain matters, paperlessly. You can find out more about his work at www.minehub....

Episode 105: A conversation with Dave Amori

11 Aug 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Dave is the Vice President, Engineering at EFI Global.  As VP of Engineering, Dave is responsible for the oversight of the engineering service li...

Episode 104: A conversation about the Fundao TSF with Tim Stark

06 Jul 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Timothy D. Stark is a Professor of Civil and Environmental Engineering at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign with an expertise in Geotechn...

Episode 103: A conversation with Juan Ayala, PhD student at the University of Western Australia

30 Jun 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Juan and I discuss his recent research with a CPT calibration chamber and the use of the NorSand model for tailings.  As Juan says in his LinkedIn pr...

Episode 102: A conversation with Andrea Pezzi and Tomas Bartolini from Diemme Filtration

22 Jun 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Andrea, Tomas and I discuss the status of their new Domino filter and also how they are using IoT and AI to help monitor their equipment remotely, kee...

Episode 101: A conversation with Diana Eck and Josh Vittori of Nexus Environmental Consultants

16 Jun 2022

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode Diana, Josh and I discuss their new Nevada-based company, Nexus Environmental Consultants.  You can find out more about their offerin...

Episode 100: a conversation with Professor Henry Petroski

10 Jun 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Henry Petroski is an American engineer specializing in failure analysis. A professor emeritus both of civil engineering and history at Duke University...

Episode 99: A conversation with Franco Oboni of Riskope

02 Jun 2022

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode, Franco and I discuss risk analyses and how he conducts risk assessments for tailings facilities.  You can find out more about him at...

Episode 98: A conversation with John Metzger and Lanny Faleide about tailings monitoring

26 May 2022

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode John and Lanny teach us about a new way to more closely monitor the location of the supernatant pond on your TSF. You can reach John a...

Episode 97: A conversation with my son, Timothy, about NFTs

19 May 2022

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode Tim and I discuss many of the confusing aspects of non-fungible tokens.