Shashank Sharma

Shashank Sharma is the Head of Technology at IRH, where he leads the digital strategy across the entire mining value chain, from exploration to trading. He is focused on solving the industry's most critical bottleneck: the "Time-to-Decision." To achieve this, Shashank architects IRH Tech's "digital central nervous system." This is an AI-powered, OEM-agnostic platform designed to unify operations and eliminate the data silos that slow down decision-making. His unique perspective is shaped by a career in quantitative technology, with previous leadership roles at J.P. Morgan and Brevan Howard. He currently leverages this expertise to spearhead the creation of the first fully interactive mine at Zambia's Mopani Copper Mine.

Session Overview

Monday, 3 November

12:40

Digitalisation & AI Conference Room A 12:40 - 13:20

Critical minerals and AI: energy companies securing the new supply chains

One of the most strategically important yet overlooked intersections between artificial intelligence (AI) and the energy sector is the intensifying competition for critical minerals. From electric vehicle (EV) batteries to wind turbines, clean energy solutions require significantly greater quantities of minerals such as lithium, cobalt, nickel, copper and rare earth elements compared to traditional hydrocarbon technologies. The explosive growth of AI infrastructure, including data centres, is further increasing demand for these finite resources, leading to supply chain constraints and vulnerabilities. Governments, mining companies and commercial leaders will need to pool their efforts to proactively secure the reliable, sustainable and affordable critical mineral supplies necessary for a high-growth, AI-powered, low-carbon future.

Attendee insights:

Explore how collaboration with mining companies can improve efficiency and scale mineral extraction while examining the geopolitical dynamics shaping mineral availability.