Converged Technology takes on ground-penetrating radar

In the 2010s, Nutrien helped lead the way on using GPR to identify potential hazardous spots in the ceilings of potash mines in Saskatchewan – and today, GPR devices are fixtures on mining machines across our Saskatoon-area conventional potash mines. When a hazardous zone is identified, we either reinforce it if the area is still being used or close off and abandon the area if access is no longer needed.

That keeps our people safe, and keeps our mines producing says Craig Funk, Director of GeoServices & Land for Nutrien’s Potash business.

“Ground-penetrating radar is an essential part of our multi-faceted approach to protecting our people working at the mining faces,” Craig says. “One thing we won’t compromise on at Nutrien is safety.”

The right time for an upgrade

While the system has served us well over the past decade, advances in internal capabilities both in data science and engineering now provide an open runway for significant improvements in operability, efficiency and reliability in the technology that powers GPR.

“A lot has changed since we first deployed this technology, so it’s time for an upgrade – and now we have a chance to basically start from scratch,” says Craig.

And rather than working with an external vendor to upgrade the system, Nutrien is buying the technology so our Converged Technology team can revamp, update and customize a new one, in-house. That wouldn’t have been possible – let alone popular – in even the recent past, Craig notes.

 “Five years ago, we never would’ve brought IDS in on something like this, but our Converged Technology team brings a lot to the table and has a proven track record,” he says. “Nowadays, our Operations teams are coming to me saying, ‘We’ve got to get IDS involved, so we can kickstart the process and get the job done well and quickly’ – and that says a lot.”

Off to a strong start

Justin and Craig’s teams are working closely with Operations to write and test the new system, and they expect to have it fully implemented by the fourth quarter of 2023.

“We know how we’re going to improve reliability and give the sites more features, and things are off to a strong start,” Justin says. “We’re optimistic this is going to be another game changer.”

Brent Poohkay, Nutrien’s Executive Vice President and Chief Technology Officer, is excited about the project and proud of the multi-team collaboration that’s making it possible.

“Technology touches every part of what Nutrien does – and our work on ground-penetrating radar is a great example of what that looks like,” he says. “We’re as focused on being a technology leader as we are on being an agricultural leader or a mining leader, and it’s gratifying to see our people working together across our business to get the job done.”