Schedule

Gas detection systems, wearable technologies, proximity detection, collision avoidance and real-time worker monitoring are among the many emerging solutions to improve safety in mining operations. We explore how digitalisation is reshaping safety, especially in remote locations.

As the mining world seeks to decarbonise, tailing management is proving to be key in reducing emissions in the process of securing essential resources for the energy transition. We speak with the network director of the Mining Innovation Commercialization Accelerator about the group's focus on state of tailings managment today and how to make tailings profitable for mine operators.

The global supply of graphite is dominated by China and growing production in countries such as Mozambique and Madagascar. Companies including Syrah Resources and Tirupati Graphite use flotation processing and advanced purification technologies to produce battery-grade material.

Smelting and refining technologies play a huge role in global metals production. We look at the role of robots in smelting and how automation is refining the sector, pulling case studies with assessment of the safety, efficiency and cost benefits of modern smelting and refining technology.

• Cobalt
• Decarbonisation
• AI in mining/Future of work

Australia is positioning itself as an emerging supplier of cobalt with new projects seeking to capitalise on growing global demand. Cobalt is characterised by volatile prices, complex processing requirements and rising expectations around sustainable supply chains.

The 'supercycle' is a theme that is driving long-term structural increases in demand for minerals like copper, lithium, nickel and cobalt required for the energy transition. We look at the background to this phenomenon and ask: what does a 'supercycle' mean for Australian mining technology and decarbonisation?

Mining employed roughly 300,000 people in Australia in 2025 and a great number of these are fly-in, fly-out (FIFO) workers. But with AI now arguably threatening human jobs in mining and beyond, we review how the roles of FIFO employees in Australian mining are set to change as technology reshapes the sector.

Decarbonisation is reshaping mining as companies adopt technologies such as electrification, renewable power, carbon capture and hydrogen, while confronting the operational, financial and policy challenges of transforming carbon-intensive systems at scale.

Lithium, a critical mineral underpinning energy storage and the wider electrification of the global economy, is being rapidly developed by producers in Australia, Chile, Argentina and China, while new extraction technologies - from direct lithium extraction to advanced brine processing - promise higher recoveries and lower environmental footprints.

Digitalisation and cybersecurity are transforming how mines are operated and optimised. Companies are deploying autonomous equipment, AI-driven analytics, industrial IoT and cloud platforms to improve productivity, safety and decision-making, even as the growing connectivity of these systems increases exposure to cyber threats that can disrupt operations and compromise sensitive data.

Gold production remains concentrated in China, Australia and Russia, with miners increasingly turning to automation, advanced data analytics and more efficient processing technologies to sustain output amid declining ore grades, rising costs and intensifying environmental and social scrutiny.

• Pumps
• Lithium
• Uranium

Pumps in Australian mining operations are undergoing constant upgrade, supporting de-watering, slurry transport and mineral processing at large-scale operations. Operators are increasingly adopting more energy-efficient, digitally monitored pumping systems to improve reliability and reduce costs especially in remote and demanding environments.

The world’s largest producer of lithium, Australia is looking to invest in processing technology and downstream capacity to move up the value chain while managing price volatility, environmental pressures and growing competition from global suppliers.

Australia holds some of the world’s largest uranium reserves and supplies global nuclear fuel markets through operations that increasingly rely on technologies such as in-situ recovery, advanced hydrometallurgical processing and sophisticated groundwater monitoring systems.

The market for cobalt, predominantly produced in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and refined in China, is rapidly evolving with new developments in mining and processing technologies such as sulphide flotation and hydrometallurgical refining.

Automation, robotics and drones are increasingly reshaping mining operations worldwide, with companies deploying autonomous haulage systems, robotic inspection tools and aerial drones for surveying, monitoring and maintenance to improve productivity and safety, while addressing labour shortages, reducing costs and enabling more data-driven mine management.

Vehicles and fleet management are central to modern mining operations. Companies are increasingly turning to advanced dispatch systems, telematics, predictive maintenance software and increasingly autonomous haul trucks to optimise performance, reduce fuel consumption and improve safety across large, complex mine sites.

Nickel's global supply dominated by producers such as Vale, Norilsk Nickel, BHP and Tsingshan Holding Group.

• Automation, Robotics & Drones
• Gold
• Vehicles & Fleet Management

Australian miners are increasingly deploying automated robotics and drones at the country's mines to improve both productvity and safety.

Australia is one of the world’s largest gold producers, with major operations concentrated in Western Australia.

With a number of vast, remote mine sites in the country, optimised vehicles and fleet management is becoming critical to mining operations in Australia.

Coal supply is key to the power generation and steelmaking markets. The sector's future remains uncertain as it faces tightening environmental regulations and growing debate over its role in the global energy transition.

Crushing and grinding operators use technologies such as jaw and cone crushers, high-pressure grinding rolls and semi-autogenous grinding mills, which continue to evolve and improve.

Iron ore is central to producing steel, hence critical for industries like energy, construction and transportation. New supply across the world is altering trade flows and in recent years, a growing need to decarbonise is spotlighting green iron.

Underground mining equipment and machinery are critical for extracting minerals from inaccessible deposits while ensuring worker safety and operational efficiecny. The market is rapidly shifting toward electrification, automation and digitalisation, with a focus on battery-powered vehicles and AI-driven remote operations.

• Surface equipment & machinery
• Copper
• Manganese

Australia’s large-scale open-pit mining sector is ripe for new developments in surface equipment and machinery, with improving safety as a priority. This sector involves ultra-class haul trucks, electric rope shovels, hydraulic excavators and autonomous drilling systems.

Australia has major copper operations in South Australia and Queensland, with most copper ore produced from underground mines.

Australia is one of the world’s largest producers of manganese, a key input for the energy transition, and has focussed large open-pit operations in the Northern Territory and Western Australia.

We review the major themes of 2026 and consider the emerging technologies and trends for the year to come.

Drilling and blasting is a foundational mining process that is shifting toward through technologies such as automated drill rigs, electronic detonators and advanced blast design software that can reduce environmental impact while improving safety and productivity.

As the mining world rapidly decarbonises and digitalises, we review how the workforce is evolving, what skills are in shortage and the training programmes and partnerships helping to fill the gap.

Fatigue monitoring has become an increasingly important safety technology in global mining operations, with companies deploying in-cab camera systems, wearable sensors and AI-driven analytics.

• Coal
• Electrification
• Drilling & Blasting

Australia is one of the world’s largest coal exporters, supplying thermal coal for power generation and metallurgical coal for steelmaking from major operations in Queensland and New South Wales. Key technology include advanced haulage fleets and coal handling.

Electrification is emerging as a key pathway for reducing emissions in Australia’s mining sector. The industry is seeing invesment in battery-electric vehicles, trolley-assist haulage systems and renewable-powered mine sites.

Australia is home to many open pit mine sites where companies deploy automated drill rigs, electronic detonators and data-driven blast design technologies.