Unlocking Subsurface Intelligence Across Mining Projects with Seequent
Across the global construction and mining ecosystem, the conversation around digital transformation often circles back to a single sticking point. Organisations aren’t short of data. If anything, they’re drowning in it. What remains elusive is the ability to convert sprawling, fragmented datasets into decisions that improve safety, reduce costs, and sharpen competitive edge. A new industry survey suggests that even as artificial intelligence gathers pace, geoprofessionals still find themselves spending an outsized portion of their time simply managing information rather than interpreting it.
The latest findings from the 7th Geoprofessionals Data Management Report by Seequent, a subsurface technology specialist operating within Bentley Systems, underline a reality that resonates far beyond geology teams. For infrastructure investors, contractors, and policymakers, the implications stretch into project risk, regulatory compliance, and long term asset performance. The message is becoming harder to ignore. Without robust data foundations, even the most promising digital tools struggle to deliver tangible value.
Data Complexity Emerges as a Strategic Risk Across Infrastructure
The scale of the challenge revealed in the global survey is striking. Drawing on responses from more than 1,000 geoprofessionals worldwide, the report paints a picture of teams navigating increasingly complex, multisource datasets scattered across multiple software platforms. Historical data remains underutilised, and routine administration continues to consume time that could otherwise support higher level analysis.
In practical terms, this inefficiency carries consequences that ripple through entire project lifecycles. Ground investigations, mineral exploration programmes, and infrastructure planning all rely on accurate subsurface intelligence. When data quality issues or accessibility gaps arise, the knock on effects can include delayed approvals, design revisions, cost overruns, and in worst case scenarios, safety risks. For global infrastructure pipelines already under pressure from inflation and supply chain volatility, the margin for error is shrinking.
Angela Harvey, Chief Customer Officer at Seequent, points to a persistent imbalance between data handling and insight generation. She said: ‘According to the report findings, geoprofessionals on average spend over a quarter of their time on data management. They are actively seeking to harness the information it contains for competitive advantage, but limited data frameworks mean too much time is spent managing data, versus interpreting results.’
Her observation reflects a broader digital maturity gap seen across construction and mining. While organisations increasingly recognise data as a strategic asset, governance structures often lag behind technological ambition.
AI Momentum Builds While Foundations Remain Fragile
Interest in artificial intelligence continues to accelerate across industries, and the subsurface sector is no exception. The survey indicates that 51 percent of organisations are now using or considering AI tools, a significant increase from 30 percent just two years ago. Yet the report suggests that enthusiasm alone isn’t enough to guarantee meaningful outcomes.
AI systems rely heavily on structured, high quality data inputs. Fragmented archives, inconsistent naming conventions, and incomplete historical records can severely limit algorithmic effectiveness. Without reliable data governance, automation risks amplifying existing inaccuracies rather than solving them. In other words, smarter tools still require smarter data stewardship.
Harvey emphasises that the opportunity lies not just in adopting new technologies but in strengthening the frameworks that support them. She said: ‘Data is the most valuable asset of any organisation, and it’s clear from our report that both the civil sector and the mining sector are ready to unlock that value. The surge in AI consideration shows a clear appetite for innovation. The opportunity now is to build the data foundations that will allow these technologies to thrive and deliver on their promise of a more efficient and sustainable future.’
For infrastructure stakeholders, this shift has commercial implications. Investors increasingly evaluate digital readiness when assessing project viability, while regulators expect transparent, traceable data trails to support environmental and safety compliance.
Mining Sector Recognises Data as the Core Operational Asset
Within mining, the survey reveals a particularly strong awareness of data’s strategic role. Eighty percent of geoprofessionals in the sector view data management as highly or critically important, reflecting the industry’s dependence on accurate geological modelling and resource estimation. Yet despite this recognition, only 39 percent of mining organisations report having a defined data management framework in place.
Mining geoprofessionals spend nearly a third of their working time on data related tasks. This allocation of effort highlights a tension between operational demands and digital capability. Exploration teams must integrate drilling results, geophysical surveys, environmental data, and production records, often across legacy systems that were never designed to communicate seamlessly.
Dr Janina Elliott, Segment Director for Mining at Seequent, frames data as central to every stage of the mining lifecycle. She said: ‘In mining, data isn’t just a byproduct of operations but the core asset that drives every decision, from exploration to reclamation. Our report shows that the industry is laser-focused on data management, but it also highlights the next major challenge: unlocking the full value from current and historical data, as the mining industry positions itself for a future where AI and automation will be increasingly important.’
The commercial stakes are considerable. Improved data integration can enhance orebody modelling accuracy, reduce exploration risk, and optimise extraction strategies. In an era where demand for critical minerals underpins energy transition goals, better data management directly influences global supply chains.
Civil Infrastructure Faces a Data Paradox
The civil sector encounters similar challenges, though often under tighter regulatory scrutiny and public accountability. Sixty nine percent of civil geoprofessionals rate data management as critically or highly important. Even so, only 41 percent report having established frameworks, and just 30 percent maintain a formal data chain of custody.
These figures point to what industry observers increasingly describe as a data paradox. Professionals recognise the importance of structured information management yet struggle to implement consistent processes. Civil geoprofessionals spend over a fifth of their time dealing with data administration, equivalent to roughly a full working day each week.
Pat McLarin, Segment Director for Civil at Seequent, highlights the disconnect between intention and execution. He said: ‘The civil sector is grappling with a data paradox. Geoprofessionals are spending a significant amount of their time — a full day a week — on data management, yet they still face challenges that impact project outcomes. Our report shows that while the will to be data-driven is there, the foundational frameworks for success are often missing.’
For infrastructure planners, this gap affects more than efficiency. Reliable subsurface data informs decisions on foundation design, tunnelling strategies, and environmental mitigation. Poor data coordination can lead to unexpected ground conditions, contractual disputes, and increased project risk exposure.
Historical Data Holds Untapped Commercial Value
One recurring theme throughout the survey is the underutilisation of historical data. Decades of geological surveys, construction records, and monitoring reports often remain stored in incompatible formats or disconnected repositories. Yet these archives represent a valuable knowledge base capable of informing future projects and reducing duplication of effort.
Industry research increasingly supports the economic case for better data reuse. Studies from infrastructure consultancies and academic institutions suggest that leveraging existing datasets can shorten project timelines and improve predictive modelling accuracy. In mining, historical exploration data frequently guides new discoveries, while in civil engineering, past ground investigations help refine risk assessments for adjacent developments.
Unlocking this value requires more than digitisation. It calls for standardisation, metadata clarity, and collaborative platforms that enable cross disciplinary access. As digital twins gain traction across infrastructure sectors, the importance of comprehensive historical data becomes even more pronounced.
Building a Data Driven Future for Infrastructure
The broader narrative emerging from the report aligns with global infrastructure priorities. Governments worldwide are investing heavily in transport networks, renewable energy facilities, and urban resilience projects. Each initiative relies on accurate subsurface understanding, making data management a foundational pillar of long term success.
Technology providers, contractors, and asset owners increasingly recognise that digital transformation extends beyond software procurement. It involves cultural change, workforce training, and governance frameworks that ensure consistency across project phases. As AI tools evolve, the organisations best positioned to benefit will be those that treat data stewardship as a strategic discipline rather than an administrative burden.
The findings from Seequent’s latest report reinforce a critical insight for the construction and mining industries. Data is no longer a secondary output of operations. It is a central driver of value creation, risk management, and sustainability. The challenge ahead lies not in generating more information but in harnessing what already exists with clarity, structure, and purpose.
