A panel of global leaders in mining, technology and engineering has shared crucial insights at the International Mining and Resources Conference + Expo (IMARC), in Sydney, Australia, into how digital solutions and collaboration are reshaping the mining industry.

The discussion focused on how partnerships and advanced technology are driving productivity, improving safety, and supporting decarbonisation goals.

Attendees heard from Dave Goddard, executive VP of mining at Hexagon, who opened a session on the Middle East’s “first digital gold mine". 

The Mansourah-Massarah project integrates advanced technologies to enhance efficiency, safety, and sustainability and is part of Saudi Arabia's vision to modernise its mining sector and boost domestic gold production. Goddard highlighted the value of early planning and collaboration in building a fully digital operation.

“Being able to have that partnership from the start and work collaboratively to extract the maximum amount of value from the asset underground was truly rewarding,” he said.

“The give-and-take is something that I think is really exceptional. We can sit down and be very clear about where the value proposition is, how to reduce dilution, and how to optimise the value of the asset in the ground.”

Duncan Bradford, executive VP of base metals and new minerals at Ma’aden, shared how the partnership with Hexagon had brought essential digital capabilities to Saudi Arabia, creating a new digital operation for Ma’aden. 

“We needed to work with Hexagon to help us bring that technology and automation into Saudi. When I started speaking with them, I had the feeling that I could approach them directly saying, ‘This is my vision, how are we going to do it?’”

For both Ma’aden and Hexagon, the commitment to a long-term, collaborative approach was key to building a resilient, digital-first mine. 

Fortescue director of decarbonisation Christiaan Heyning discussed the role of technology in managing renewable-energy-dependent operations, noting that without the right software, equipment alone had limited impact. 

“People look at the trucks and think of them as shiny toys, but they’re not helpful without software that tells them where to go and optimises dynamically. That’s where the power is.” 

With renewable-energy sources such as solar and wind, he explained, digital systems must help autonomous fleets be “weather- and production-aware”, so they can handle the most energy-intensive tasks before a potential loss of power.

Brian Huff, VP of new technologies at Sandvik, added that existing technologies were already delivering results, as the company focused on creating modular systems that could evolve as battery and inverter technologies improved.

“The technology already exists—it’s existed for 30 years—and we’re just applying it in ways that are useful for our customers,” he said.

Joachim Braun, division president of process industries at ABB, pointed out how standardisation was supporting seamless digital integration in mining. “Standardisation can simplify operations. For instance, standardising charging plugs across fleets helps avoid the need for specialised adapters.”

Reflecting on the future, Goddard urged mining companies to see digital tools as part of a lasting partnership rather than a one-off transaction: “If you’re approaching it as a mining company that you’re in a transactional manner that you’re just going to buy something and then just use it . . . you’re missing a huge opportunity.”