A day in the life of a Geotechnical Technician: Laura Volponi

👋 Meet Laura Volponi, a GroundProbe Radar Operator based in Belo Horizonte, Brazil, and one of our inspiring #OricaFutureShapers. Passionate about geotechnical engineering, Laura plays a vital role in keeping people and operations safe by combining her geological background with advanced monitoring technologies. From working closely with clients to ensuring the stability of critical structures, she is dedicated to applying innovation and care in every aspect of her work.

Hi Laura,

Please tell us a little about yourself and what drew you toward the world of geotechnical engineering.

I’m a geologist, and I’ve always worked in geotechnical engineering, which involves studying the behaviour of soil and rocks to ensure the safety and stability of structures. What draws me to this field is the opportunity to apply technology to solve real-world problems, especially in mining, where monitoring risks and preventing disasters is crucial. GroundProbe caught my attention for its innovation and use of radar for real-time monitoring, which helps ensure operational safety. The company’s motto, ‘Every second counts, every life matters,’ reflects what I believe is essential in my profession: prevention and care for people’s safety.

What or who first inspired you to pursue a career as a Geotechnical Technician/Geotechnical Monitoring Analyst?

When I was introduced to advanced monitoring technologies, especially GroundProbe’s solutions, I realised how essential innovation is in overcoming the challenges of geotechnical engineering. Seeing the application of radars and intelligent systems capable of anticipating movements and speeding up responses strengthened my motivation to work in a field that combines technical knowledge and technology to make operations safer and more efficient. This combination is what inspires me every day in my role as a Geotechnical Monitoring Analyst.

When you think about your role today, what aspect of the work do you enjoy the most?

The aspect I enjoy most in my role as a radar operator is the opportunity to have direct interaction with clients, actively contributing to safety and ensuring a more efficient mining operation.

Can you share a project or experience that has been especially memorable or meaningful to you so far?

An experience I consider significant was the opportunity to, together with my coordinator Izabely Moreira, conduct training on the SARx radar for the client’s Geotechnical Monitoring Center CMG, held directly at the Arcelor mine. The purpose of the training was to support the monitoring of a Level 3 dam, a highly critical activity that highlighted the importance of our work in risk prevention and in ensuring the safety of people and operations.

In your opinion, what skills or qualities are most crucial for success in this field?

I believe that to be successful in this field, it is essential to combine technical knowledge with responsibility and attention to detail. We work with information that directly impacts safety, so interpreting data accurately is crucial. Additionally, it is important to be curious and open to learning new technologies, as innovation is part of our daily work. Another quality I consider indispensable is good communication, especially with clients, ensuring that complex information is conveyed clearly and efficiently so that everyone can make quick and safe decisions.

How do you usually approach challenges or problem-solving when things don’t go as planned on-site?

I focus on staying calm, quickly assessing the situation, and acting promptly and safely, ensuring the team is aligned and the issue is resolved efficiently.

What do you find most rewarding about contributing to geotechnical safety and monitoring?

What I find most rewarding is knowing that my work directly contributes to the safety of operations and people. Being able to use advanced technology to anticipate issues and help the team and clients make faster and more reliable decisions gives me a strong sense of purpose and fulfilment.

Since starting your role, how have you grown, whether in technical expertise, confidence, or personally?

Since I started working, I have grown significantly in technical knowledge, feel more confident in making decisions and interacting with clients, and have developed personally, becoming more organised and resilient in the face of challenges.

What advice would you give someone considering becoming a Geotechnical Technician?

I would say it’s important to pay attention to details, be willing to learn, and take initiative. Geotechnical work requires care because it directly affects safety and the flow of operations. Good communication skills are also important, since you’ll be interacting with different teams and clients. And, of course, safety always comes first.

If you could work on any geotechnical project anywhere in the world, which would you choose and why?

If I could apply my skills to any geotechnical project, I would choose to work at the Bingham Canyon mine in the United States or the Escondida mine in Chile. Both are among the largest open-pit mines in the world and already use GroundProbe technologies for real-time slope monitoring. I would choose these projects because they represent a more complex level of monitoring, with significant geotechnical challenges.

Thank you, Laura

👉  Interested in joining Laura and shaping the future of safety and innovation at Orica Digital Solutions? Visit: orica.com/careers

#OricaFutureShaper #OricaDigitalSolutions #Geosolutions #GroundProbe