Roberto Rolo

Personal & career background

From Rock ’n’ Roll to resource modelling: Meet the data science mind behind Datamine’s geostatistics expertise

When mining engineering meets machine learning, you get people like Roberto, a passionate geostatistician who’s helping reshape how the world models mineral resources.

A serendipitous start underground

Some careers are meticulously planned. Others start with a click and a hunch. “I came across mining engineering while browsing university courses,” Roberto laughs. “It just sounded rock ’n’ roll!”

What began as curiosity became conviction during a university field trip to one of the world’s deepest underground mines. That experience transformed fascination into dedication: “I told myself, ‘Yep, this is what I want to do!’”

The path to Datamine: Brazil to France, via Python

With an engineering foundation in Brazil, Roberto’s fascination with geostatistics took root early. His undergraduate thesis delved into resource estimation, and he went on to complete both a master’s and PhD, researching implicit geological modelling and uncertainty assessment.

That passion soon found its place in practice. From AR2Tech to the Brazilian government, and later Geovariances, Roberto built a unique blend of academic rigour and consulting experience. A stint in Indonesia with Eramet on a lateritic nickel mine further broadened his global outlook. Eventually, he returned to Geovariances, now part of the Datamine family, joining the team in France.

Modelling the invisible

Today, Roberto brings his knowledge to Datamine clients around the globe as a Senior Consultant in Geostatistics and Data Science. “We only sample a tiny fraction of what lies underground,” he explains. “My job is to help clients use that limited data to build 3D models and make informed decisions.”

Using software like Isatis.neo, Isatis.py, and Supervisor, he guides clients through training and tailored consulting projects, turning complex data into reliable insight. His approach is equal parts statistical precision and creative problem-solving.

High-stakes projects and meaningful milestones

Roberto recalls one especially challenging project: writing short-term estimation scripts for one of the world’s largest mining companies. “It was a long and complex engagement, full of twists and turns,” he says. “But we got there, and the scripts are still in use today.”

He also cites completing his PhD as a professional milestone, one that unlocked new doors and cemented his position in the intersection of geostatistics, programming, and applied mining technology.

Adapting in an age of AI

The mining tech landscape is rapidly evolving, and Roberto is riding the wave. “Computing power has grown massively, but the most disruptive force right now is artificial intelligence,” he observes. “I believe AI will soon play a central role in resource estimation, possibly even replacing traditional methods like kriging in some workflows.”

Staying sharp means constant learning. “Just when you think you’ve mastered something, a new tool or method emerges,” he says. “You can’t afford to sit still.”

Grounded advice for newcomers

RRO has wise words for aspiring geostatisticians: “You need strong programming skills, a solid grasp of AI, and above all, a firm foundation in geology.” Quoting legendary expert Harry Parker, he adds:

“An ounce of geology is worth a pound of geostatistics.”

It’s a reminder that technical brilliance needs to be grounded in a real-world understanding of the rocks beneath our feet.

Beyond the numbers

When he’s not crunching data or developing models, Roberto explores his creative side. He’s an avid Magic: The Gathering player and tinkers with DIY electronics. If he hadn’t landed in mining, he imagines he might have become a programmer or even a doctor, two fields that, like his own, blend analysis and intuition.

What motivates him? “I love finishing a project, seeing it help a client, and then jumping straight into the next challenge.”