Jady Araujo Souza

Personal & career background

What first sparked your interest in the mining industry?

My story with mining began when I was very young. I come from a mining town, Nova Lima, in Minas Gerais, Brazil, famous for its underground gold mine. In addition, my father has always worked in the mining sector, starting as a mining technician and later becoming a leading specialist in underground ventilation, as well as a knowledgeable user of our Datamine Ventsim solution.

However, the defining moment that led me to choose geology as my profession happened during my technical studies in chemistry. It was then that I was first introduced to mineralogy, and I instantly fell in love with the world of minerals and rocks. That passion is what inspired me to pursue a degree in geology engineering.

Can you walk us through your career path and how you ended up at Datamine?

I began my career after completing my undergraduate degree in Chemistry, during my Geology studies, I worked for two years in the geochemistry laboratory and pursued an academic path through research programs focused on the study of metamorphic rocks in Brazil.

While still in university, I joined Datamine as an intern in the newly established Intelligent Mining Solutions division. I initially worked with implicit modeling using MineScape, then transitioned to the CCLAS LIMS solution, and eventually became involved with Reconciliation studies with Snowden and Reconcilor, an area in which I developed my expertise.

After my internship, I was hired as a consultant and later moved into a business development role, shaping the professional journey I have built within the company so far.

Jady Souza at an open-pit gold mine for a Reconcilor implementation at Argentina

Was there a defining moment that confirmed mining was the right industry for you?

Yes, joining Datamine was definitely the moment I confirmed I was on the right path. Each visit to a mine site reaffirmed my passion and natural affinity for the industry, especially through my admiration for the way the entire mining value chain operates and is organized.

Your role & expertise

I am currently working with the software sales team as a Business Developer. In this role, I am responsible for identifying new business opportunities, building strong client relationships, supporting pre-sales activities, and helping align technical solutions with customer needs.

Previously, I spent four years working as a specialized consultant in mine reconciliation, focusing on software implementation, training, and systematic analysis of data and processes used throughout the reconciliation workflow, from geological models to final product shipment at ports.

What is your area of expertise, and how do you use it in your role at Datamine?

My area of expertise lies at the intersection of Geology and Mining Software Solutions. With a background in both geosciences and data analysis, I specialize in mine reconciliation and the systematic evaluation of mining processes.

At Datamine, I leverage this expertise to bridge the gap between technical solutions and client needs. In my current role as a Business Developer, I combine deep technical knowledge with commercial insight, helping clients identify the right software tools, supporting them through pre-sales discussions, and ensuring that our solutions align with their operational goals. My prior experience as a consultant also allows me to speak the language of our users, making it easier to build trust and deliver value.

How would you explain your role to someone unfamiliar with the mining tech space?

I helpmining companies find the right software tools to make their operations more efficient, accurate, and connected. My role involves understanding the technical challenges they face, from geological modeling to tracking the final product, and then guiding them toward solutions that improve how they manage data, processes, and decision-making.

What do you enjoy most about what you do?

What I enjoy most about my work is the broad scope it offers, I have visibility over the entire mining value chain. It allows me to see beyond operational silos and understand how every process is interconnected. I also truly value the opportunity to collaborate and exchange knowledge with geologists and mining engineers from different countries, which greatly enriches both my professional and personal experience.

Challenges, projects & learnings

Working on large-scale implementations that integrate data from geological models all the way to port operations is definitely a significant challenge, given the high volume of data, complex processes, and the number of people involved. At the same time, it has provided me with a wealth of learnings, exposing me to mining workflows, best practices, and deep industry knowledge.

Additionally, I’ve had the opportunity to work on projects across Latin America, which has allowed me to engage with different mining cultures and practices, enriching both my technical perspective and cultural understanding.

What has been the most challenging project or client engagement you’ve worked on?

I believe the most challenging project I’ve worked on was the implementation of Reconciliation solution at a coal mining operation. The project was particularly demanding due to its extensive scope, from geology to port logistics, and the overall complexity of the operation. In addition, several customizations were developed specifically for this client, making it both technically challenging and highly rewarding.

What’s a professional milestone or achievement you’re especially proud of?

I am grateful for having had the opportunity to participate in and document the implementation of Reconcilor at a large-scale mining operation in Brazil. I was even more honored to have the resulting case study accepted and presented at an international mining conference. This experience not only validated the impact of our work but also gave me the chance to share valuable insights and lessons learned with professionals from around the world.

What’s been your biggest learning curve while working in the mining industry?

My greatest learning was expanding my perspective, from geological modeling and laboratory operations to full pit-to-port reconciliation. This broader view allowed me to understand mining as a fully integrated process and to be actively involved in evaluating the workflows across each stage. As a result, I was able to contribute to process reviews and advise on best practices throughout the value chain.

Perspectives & reflections

How has the mining industry evolved since you started, and how have you adapted?

Since I started in the mining industry, I’ve seen a significant shift toward digital transformation and data-driven decision-making. There’s been a growing emphasis on integrating systems across the value chain, improving data visibility, and optimizing operations from exploration to product delivery.

To adapt, I’ve continuously expanded my technical knowledge, not just in geology, but also in data analysis, software implementation, and systems integration. I’ve also focused on understanding the broader business needs of mining operations, so I can connect technology solutions with real operational value.

What advice would you give to someone just starting out in this field?

My advice is to look at mining as a living, interconnected system, not just as a collection of isolated parts. Understanding the importance of each stage in the value chain gives you a much broader and more meaningful perspective of your work. It helps you see how your role contributes to the bigger picture and encourages you to think more strategically and ambitiously about your impact in the industry.

What keeps you motivated and passionate about your work?

What keeps me motivated is knowing that my work contributes to something much bigger, the continuous evolution of the mining industry toward more efficient, connected, and sustainable practices. Being part of this transformation, especially by helping clients solve real operational challenges with smart technology, is deeply rewarding.

Fun & forward-looking

If you weren’t in mining, what career could you see yourself in?

If I weren’t in the mining industry, I would definitely be an artist. I’m a passionate lover of the visual arts and have been painting since I was a child. I also enjoy embroidery and have developed strong skills in it over the years. Art has always been a meaningful form of expression for me.

What’s one myth about mining you’d love to bust?

One myth I love to bust is the idea that Excel can solve all your problems! Having worked closely with software solutions that prioritize automation and the elimination of manual work, I always like to challenge that mindset by pointing out the risks and inefficiencies of relying too heavily on spreadsheets.

While Excel is a powerful tool, it’s not designed for managing complex, high-volume, or critical mining data. There’s always a better, more reliable, and scalable way to store, manage, and analyze your data.

What excites you most about the future of mining and technology?

I believe that the conscious use of artificial intelligence can empower the mining industry to develop powerful optimization models and simulations that help identify the most efficient and responsible ways to mine. This means reducing costs—and, most importantly, minimizing environmental impact. AI has the potential to support a more sustainable and intelligent approach to mining.

Fun facts

Favourite mine site: A large iron ore operation in Brazil where I led a complex Reconcilor implementation project, it challenged me and shaped my career.
Go-to coffee order: Brazillian coffee of course!
Favourite tech tool: Reconcilor, for its powerful data integration and reconciliation capabilities

My favorite quote from my favourite writer, Guimarães Rosa: