Academia meeting industry: World-first ore sorter set to transform Australian mining
Mining tech innovator NextOre and the University of Technology Sydney’s Robotics Institute have banded together to develop a revolutionary ore sorting system.
Researchers have created a world-first ore sorting system that is set to transform Australian mining, all thanks to the power of robotics.
A collaboration between mining tech innovator NextOre and the University of Technology Sydney’s Robotics Institute has seen the creation of MRI-grade scanners that can cut mining waste, whether that be fuel, water, tailings or chemicals, by up to 50 per cent.
Building off the back of original development by the CSIRO more than a decade ago, the magnetic resonance analyser rapidly measures and sorts minerals of value from the waste, and has since been adapted to suit large mining vehicles.
“We knew from the start that scaling this technology would take more than just smart hardware,” said NextOre chief operating officer Shivika Singh.
“That’s where UTS came in. Their robotics capabilities helped us bring this system to life and their students are now part of our innovation engine.
“We’re not just building new tech, we’re building the next generation of mining professionals.
“This is where a student with a robotics major can walk straight into a mining company and help shape its future.”
It comes as the mining industry looks to incorporate sustainable and innovative technologies to improve the productivity and safety of its operations, with many sites already adopting NextOre’s solutions.
The partnership opens up a seamless pathway for UTS students to take their careers from the classroom to mining sites, providing hands-on experience with high-impact projects.
UTS associate professor Gavin Paul said the partnership was a win-win for both education and industry.
“This is a true example of academia meeting industry in a way that benefits both sides,” he said.
“Our students get real-world experience on projects with real impact, and companies like NextOre gain new ideas and fresh talent who can think beyond traditional mining.”
The UTS Robotics Institute is one of Australia’s largest robotics research teams – home to more than 80 researchers and 12 senior academics, collaborating with 50 key industry and academic partners and awarded 75 major research and industry awards.
Recent graduates turned NextOre employees Hung Thai and Kenny Tafianoto agreed they had never imagined they’d end up in mining when they started their degrees.
“Through the university’s collaboration with NextOre, I got to jump from coursework theory to actual application, where I saw how robotics, AI and control automation from simulation and lab comes to real life,” Thai said, adding the experience completely changed his perspective on the industry.
“Now I’m proud to be part of a team developing technologies that make mining cleaner, smarter and more efficient.”
Tafianoto said: “I was intrigued to learn that the mining sector was embracing robotic automation, and through the project – supported by both UTS and NextOre – I gained exposure to robotics and mining technologies. never imagined just a year later I’d be flying out to service a machine on an active mine site.
“Working at NextOre has not only deepened my understanding of automation but accelerated my growth as an engineer.”
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