Minerals on the Rocks: Sustainability in Mining + Happy Hour

​Join us for a unique gathering co-hosted by Mind the Bridge and Terra AI . We’re bringing together the pioneers of the "New Gold Rush".

​​Mining is the bedrock of the energy transition, yet it remains one of the world’s most complex and under-digitized industries. This conversation is designed to put the mining sector at the center of the SF climate tech ecosystem, connecting entrepreneurs, investors, and talent with the massive industrial challenges of 2026.

​​For the builders: Discover how state-of-the-art AI and biotechnology are solving critical issues in resource scarcity and environmental impact. ​
For the innovators: Explore why San Francisco—historically built on mining wealth—is once again the best place to engineer the future of the Earth’s subsurface.

​This event is part of the Mind the Bridge Silicon Valley Summit 2026.

​Agenda

• ​3:15 PM – 4:15 PM | Doors Open & Networking time

• ​4:15 PM – 4:50 PM | The Biological Frontier Panel: Biomining & Climate Biotech A deep dive into how we can use biology to extract minerals with zero chemicals.
  Featuring: Founders discussing the intersection of synthetic biology and hard-rock mining.

• ​4:50 PM – 5:30 PM | The AI Pioneers Panel: Redefining mineral exploration and investment
  Topic: A candid conversation on the minerals and metals supply gap for the energy transition, AI and innovation in the mining-tech ecosystem, and the Bay Area’s role in making impact in the mining industry
  Featuring:

  • ​John Mern, PhD, Co-Founder & CEO at Terra AI

  • ​​Rajesh Swaminathan, Partner at Khosla Ventures

  • ​Wyatt Dudgeon, Investor at BHP Ventures

  • ​Alex Aguilar, Associate - Team Lead Mining at Mind the Bridge [Moderator]

• ​5:30 PM – 6:30 PM | Minerals on the Rocks: Happy Hour Networking and happy hour. Connect with the Terra AI team, industry players, and fellow innovators over drinks.

​Why Attend

• ​Impact-First Careers: Learn how to apply your skills in AI, Robotics, or Biotech to the critical mineral supply chain.

• ​Direct Corporate Access: Network with the startups disrupting the mining sector, ICMM members and global mining leaders looking for Silicon Valley solutions.

• ​The SF-Mining Connection: Understand how San Francisco is evolving from a software town back to its roots as a resource-innovation powerhouse.

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​By registering for this event, you agree to share your registration information with the organizers of SF Climate Week.