Sight Power is a leader in digital mine and mine planning software for the mining industry. The company was established by a group of businessmen, engineers, and scientists with practical experience in the development of analytical information and data modeling systems for mining and oil and gas industries, as well as in the design, assembly, and application of special C&I equipment.
Interview with Borys Vorobyov, CEO & Co-Founder of SightPower.
What innovative products, services, or solutions has your company launched this year—or plans to launch by early next year?
Borys Vorobyov: SightPower continues to advance its flagship breakthrough digital solution—XGIP (eXtended Geospatial Integration Platform)—alongside specialized customizations for the mining sector through its Mine Advisor™ technology. Although XGIP is fully applicable to many industries – from construction to infrastructure and from agriculture to ESG projects – we are very focused on mining sector.
Mine Shaft Scanning System (MS3)
We have fully commercialized the Mine Shaft Scanning System (MS3)—a comprehensive hardware-software solution for automated mineshaft inspections powered by AI-driven analytics. This initiative was supported by ISED funding through the MICA program (micanetwork.ca). In 2025, MS3 was successfully deployed in two major projects in the Republic of South Africa and one pilot project in Canada.
AI-Powered Enhancements to XGIP / Mine Advisor™
Executive Assistant Chatbot A smart Ai-based assistant designed to interact with structured, dynamic mine site models (digital twins). It offers real-time analytics and insightful reporting to support operational decision-making.
Generative AI Tool for LiDAR Data A cutting-edge solution for automated processing of LiDAR point clouds collected via laser scanners—applicable to both underground environments and mineshafts. This technology also enhances functionality within the MS3 system.
Augmented and Mixed Reality Integration
We are integrating AR/XR technologies into the XGIP platform under the concept: “Bring your facilities into your office.” Clients equipped with AR/XR glasses will be able to virtually walk through facilities—be it a factory, processing plant, underground workings, open-pit mine, or shaft—without leaving the office.
What market needs or customer challenges are these innovations aiming to address?
B.V:
Mine Shaft Scanning System
A single disrupted mineshaft can halt production, leading to massive financial losses and safety risks. Traditional methods rely on visual inspections, which often cause production downtime, human error, and hazardous working conditions. While contemporary laser-scanning solutions may address some of these issues, they fall short without proper analytics to fully meet the operational needs of mineshaft management.
At SightPower Inc., we’re revolutionizing underground mining management with our AI-enhanced analytical system, powered by LiDAR-based 3D scanning technology.
Our system offers:
- Unparalleled accuracy—Detect infrastructure issues faster than the human eye.
- Increased safety—Reduce man-hours in dangerous environments.
- Cost savings—Keep shafts operational with minimal downtime.
- Inspection document management and analytics—Streamline documentation and generate powerful insights from inspection data.
- Customization—Adjustments to meet customer needs.
With real-time data and 3D models (digital twins of a mineshaft), supported by automated smart reporting, mine engineers can proactively identify and address issues, ensuring uninterrupted operations and higher profitability.
AI-Powered Enhancements to XGIP / Mine Advisor™
The mining industry continues to lag behind in adopting Big Data innovations. Although mining software and hardware systems generate vast volumes of data, they often lack integration, interoperability, and comprehensive analytics. Legacy technologies contribute to inefficiencies across operations.
At SightPower, we address this challenge by integrating mining workflows into a Unified Informational Space, connecting data from ERP, Production, Engineering, and Monitoring domains. Our proprietary platform, MINE ADVISOR™, underpins all our products and solutions, enabling the creation of digital twins for mining enterprises—an essential step toward achieving sustainable and effective operations.
However, fully leveraging digital twin capabilities often requires specialized engineering knowledge, and typically only dedicated IT teams can unlock their full potential. To bridge this gap, we’ve begun developing an AI-powered chatbot, uniquely trained to operate within a mine site’s / mining enterprise’s digital twin. By communicating in natural language and serving simultaneously as a business advisor, assistant, and data analyst, the chatbot empowers managers of all levels—as well as operational engineers—to extract actionable insights from complex structured data models, making advanced analytics more accessible across the entire enterprise.
Augmented and Mixed Reality Integration for Mine Shaft Scanning System
The automated LiDAR based monitoring systems for shaft and for underground workings deliver significantly greater accuracy than traditional visual inspections conducted by humans. By minimizing the influence of human factors—such as fatigue, reduced concentration, and poor lighting conditions—the systems enable earlier detection of structural defects within the shaft infrastructure or even minor subsidence or deformation of mine workings. This early detection reduces the likelihood of accidents, thereby enhancing both the safety and efficiency of mining operations. Additionally, for mineshafts the system reduces the number of man-hours engineering staff must spend in hazardous shaft environments. This not only lowers the risk of lost-time injuries but also contributes to long-term reductions in employer liability. The automated mapping technology mitigates these liabilities in two keyways:
Reducing direct risks to personnel by eliminating the need for prolonged human presence in dangerous conditions during visual inspections.
Preventing hoisting system failures by replacing subjective, human-based assessments with objective, AI-driven analytics—thereby reducing the risk of catastrophic mechanical failures that could endanger lives.
The proposed AR/XR enhancements further strengthen both benefits. By reducing the time personnel must spend inside the shaft or underground and improving the quality of visual analysis when human inspection is necessary, these technologies offer an additional layer of safety and operational efficiency.
How have recent innovations impacted your operations, product offering, or customer experience?
B.V: Following the successful execution of two major projects in the Republic of South Africa, focused on automated scanning and digital twinning of six mineshafts, and additional communication with the potential “digital platform” clients, we reassessed how we present our value proposition to clients. This led to two key adjustments:
Simplification of Messaging: We recognized that the market is not yet primed to absorb broad concepts like “digital transformation,” especially when the benefits are deferred. As a result, we streamlined our messaging to focus on tangible, immediate value.
Explicit Integration of AI Tools: Although we’ve consistently employed AI-based instruments behind the scenes, they were often left unmentioned. We’ve now made these tools a formal part of our offering, highlighting their role in enhancing efficiency, accuracy, and decision-making.
Which technologies or methods have played a key role in delivering these innovations (e.g., AI, automation, digital platforms, new materials)?
B.V: As the provider of a digital platform and automated monitoring instruments, SightPower has consistently placed digital technologies, particularly AI and automation, at the core of its development strategy. These components have played, and continue to play, a pivotal role in shaping our solutions and driving innovation.
Have you introduced any innovation that contributes directly to sustainability, efficiency, or reduced environmental impact?
B.V: The solutions we offer to the market directly enhance the efficiency, safety, predictability, and transparency of mining operations. By integrating advanced digital tools and automated monitoring systems, we empower operators to make informed decisions in real time, reduce operational risks, and optimize resource management. Importantly, our technologies play a critical role in preventing technological errors—such as misalignments or system failures—that could otherwise lead to significant environmental damage, regulatory violations, or costly downtime. In this way, our platform not only supports operational excellence but also contributes to sustainable and responsible mining practices.
Are there specific industries, regions, or customer segments you are targeting with these innovations?
B.V: We operate globally, without limiting ourselves to specific regions. While our primary focus remains on the mining sector, the versatility of our platform and technology allows for seamless application across a range of industries, including infrastructure, construction, oil and gas, and other sectors. Our solutions also support ESG-related initiatives and have even demonstrated relevance in medical fields such as radiology, where ability to integrated spatial data from various sources and other data-driven insights are equally critical.
What was the feedback received from clients that has influenced the development of your recent or upcoming solutions?
B.V: Overall, we’ve consistently received highly positive feedback on our solutions. However, market readiness for digital technologies often lags behind the widespread discourse surrounding them. This disconnect creates discrepancies—not only in how our solutions are valued and priced, but also in their effective adoption. Realizing the full potential of our platform often requires a fundamental shift in workflows, operational habits, and even mindset, which can be a barrier despite the clear benefits.
How do the products/solutions help improve client efficiency or productivity?
B.V: We offer a wide range of solutions, each deserving its own focused discussion. At the core of our approach is the creation of a unified digital environment for mining enterprises—an ecosystem where diverse hardware and software systems can seamlessly communicate. This interoperability significantly enhances the value of both operational and historical data, enabling smarter decision-making across the board.
For example, our automated Mine Shaft Inspection System dramatically reduces inspection time while improving reliability, safety, and data quality. By minimizing disruptions to ongoing operations, it delivers both technical and economic benefits.
Another key innovation is our AI-powered short-term planning tool, which dynamically generates optimal shift plans based on real-time availability of equipment and personnel. This ensures efficient resource allocation and maximizes productivity.
These are just a few highlights among many other solutions we’ve developed. Each designed to address specific challenges while contributing to a broader digital transformation in the mining sector.
What products/solutions you believe will be industry highlights in 2025?
B.V: We firmly believe that in 2025 and beyond, the spotlight will be on solutions driven by advanced digitalization and AI-powered tools—especially those that operate on well-structured, purposefully organized data rather than undifferentiated data lakes. These technologies will define the next wave of innovation, delivering actionable insights and measurable impact across industries.