QMA Winners

Winner

Coronado Global Resources – Plant Advisor: Harnessing AI to optimise coal processing capabilities

For the past 30 years, planning of wash schedules at Coronado’s CHPP was manual and spreadsheet-based, with limited scope for flexibility. The innovative AI-powered Plant Advisor has complemented human expertise, delivering optimised wash plans for increased yield and higher quality.

This technology tightens ash control, allowing extended planning horizons to maximise output and minimise waste. Coronado uses machine learning to continually improve outputs, based on large data analysis.

Finalists

Anglo American – Tele-remote Dozers on Coal Stockpiles

Peabody – LIDAR Torpedo Probe

Winner

Bigmate – Dragline Proximity Awareness System

Dragline operators had been working with blind spots and collision risks, and they had limited awareness of approaching people or vehicles.

Bigmate adapted their industrial tech, deploying strategically placed optical and LiDAR sensors for a complete 360-degree view. The software analyses data for near real-time warnings and automatically stops the dragline if a dangerous situation occurs.

Finalists

Anglo American – Tele-remote Dozers on Coal Stockpiles

Mader – In-vehicle Fleet Safety

Peabody – LiDAR Torpedo Probe

Winner

Pembroke Resources – Biodiversity Protocol for Endangered Fauna

Pembroke Resources’s commitment – above and beyond the requirements to meet approvals – demonstrates real excellence in setting new industry standards for environmental and fauna protection.

Their biodiversity protocols have application across the resources sector into any industry needing to clear habitat. In the case of the endangered koala and greater glider, Pembroke’s work has supported the protection of species Australia-wide.

Finalists

Bravus Mining & Resources – Wildlife Monitoring and Conservation

CS Gas – Improving Environmental Outcomes in Coal Seam Gas Processing

Winner

BMA and Astute, with Childcare Leadership Alliance – Strategic Innovation in Regional Childcare

A BMA-sponsored study revealed several issues in childcare placements, and staffing was creating significant problems for families in Moranbah and Dysart. The Childcare Leadership Alliance launched a whole-of-community solution leveraging international visa-sponsored recruitment, offering affordable housing and targeted professional development.

Within a year, 100 families have gained childcare placements with 27 new staff hired and settled locally.

Finalists

Anglo American – Intersectional Trauma-informed Psychosocial Management

Bravus Mining & Resources – Building a Happier, Healthier Carmichael Community

Glencore – Journey to Jobfit

Winner

Stratalock  – Stratalock Resin: Next Step in Ground Consolidation

StrataLock took on a massive challenge to re-engineer a longstanding challenge in underground mining.

With creative thinking and total commitment to an easily applied non-hazardous material, Stratalock Resin delivers a revolution in the ground stabilisation industry. This project realised significant productivity gains, a reduced risk profile, and cost savings across the board.

By exceeding safety requirements, navigating challenges, and developing a transformative solution, StrataLock Resin emerges as a trailblazer in enhancing safety standards within the mining sector.

Finalists

Hastings Deering – Working at Heights Platform

HE Parts – Turn Over Frame Innovation

Winner

Thiess – Nylon Rim Cleat for Seating Rims on Hitachi Trucks

The Thiess Asset Operations team has designed, engineered and trialled an innovative nylon rim cleat for mobile plant equipment to significantly reduce manual handling risk for tyre fitters. The cleats have the potential to transform tyre fitting and handling practices well beyond the mining industry.

Finalists

AAMG Technologies – Remote Pump Monitoring System

Hastings Deering – Parts Tracking and Customer Purchase Order Automation

KAM Mining Products – Track Adjuster Cannons

Universal Field Robots – UFR RadioPOP

Winner

Soft Rigging Solutions – Tray Retention System/Safety Up Device

Typically, SUD’s on dump truck trays have been very heavy, impractical and have the potential to cause injury. The Soft Rigging Solutions SUD drastically reduces weight to a mere 4.2-14.2kg whilst still adhering to relevant standards. Consequently, safety is improved, enabling staff inclusion and simultaneously increasing production by reducing machine downtime.

Finalists

Blackrock Mining Solutions – VCD Wet Applicator Pump

SMW Group – Remote-Operated High Pressure Hot Wash Truck

Thiess – Remote Heavy Equipment Live Testing Solution

Winner

SoilCyclers – Mine Site Rehabilitation Using Waste

SoilCyclers and their collaborative partners demonstrated the viability of using a mine’s waste to create better rehabilitation outcomes. Using resources from the mine’s locality, SoilCyclers’ system works to resolve topsoil deficits and generate rapid pasture grass coverage even on sites without access to potable water. This cost-effective solution can be used on mine sites worldwide, also utilising overburden, subsoil and mine tailings.

Finalists

BMD Constructions – Carmichael Rail Network Environmental Controls and Software

Pembroke Resources – Koala & Greater Glider Research Program

Sodexo Australia – WasteWatch

Winner

BHP BMA – Smart Transformation Project (supported by BMA)

The Smart Transformation project, supported by BMA, operates in Dysart and Moranbah and aims to future-proof these communities against rapid technological changes. Since it began in 2019, Smart Transformation has delivered more than $4 million in new projects for Dysart and Moranbah that have been identified and prioritised by the  community, for the community.

Finalists

Evolution Mining – Mt Rawdon Gold Operation Mt Perry Summit Trail

Thiess – StepUp CapRescue Youth Volunteers Program

Winner

BHP BMA – Process Area Set Point Optimisation

Not only does PASPO, a machine-learning innovative application, provide BMA with a competitive edge to achieve industry-leading metallurgical coal blend compliance performance. It significantly exceeded value expectations. Since its inception in 2020, PASPO has delivered 385,000 additional product tonnes providing a 60X return on investment.

Finalists

Anglo American – Autonomous Longwall Technology and Remote Operations

Anglo American – Longwall Pressure Monitoring System

Kestrel Coal Resources – Development Pitstop

Finalists Video

Winner: Anglo American (Dawson Mine) – World’s first remote multi-pass drill

The Anglo American (Dawson) team produced the first known rotary blasthole drill rig to complete multi-pass operations remotely. This removes operators from the field, with strong safety outcomes.

Finalists

Anglo American – World’s first Group 1 Intrinsically Safe underground tablet

Anglo American successfully developed and launched the only Group 1 electronic tablet device certified for unrestricted use in underground mining globally. This allows for real-time communication and record-keeping underground.

Finalists Video

Winner: Gas Field Services – Hands Free Drilling – The Way of The Future

Gas Field Services introduced the LF-160 Drill Rig and Freedom Loader. This solution drastically reduces manual handling and increases safety-critical functions with hands-free drilling. 

Finalists

Mastermyne – Brain Science

Mastermyne created the Brain Science Project to engage staff in understanding how behaviour and emotion impacts safety, productivity and culture. There has been a notable reduction in safety incidents, as well as increased training benefits.

Waterline Projects – 3D Printing for Familiarisation

Waterline Projects created a safety training model with the help of 3D printing. This allows employee familiarisation with hazards while reducing safety risks on site.

Finalists Video

Winner: Polymathian  – Maximising NPV with Industrial Mathematics

Polymathian used their ORB mathematical solution to optimise mine planning for a client, condensing the planning process from weeks to just 12 hours. The client saw a 35% increase to NPV, with superior productivity outcomes.

Finalists

Gas Field Services – 4C Wireline – The New Drilling Technique

Gas Field Services implemented the 4C Wireline Coring system to complement their LF-160 handsfree drilling rig. This decreased rod hole trips by 70%, increasing production by 15 holes a year and saving just under 3 shifts.

Vayeron – Intrinsically Safe Wireless Longwall Inclinometer

Vayeron produced a wireless, plug and play sensor to replace expensive, permanently wired longwall inclinometers. The Vayeron sensor costs around $300 per device, rather than $1700.

Finalists Video

Winner: New Oakleigh Coal – Jeebropilly Mine Closure – ‘Finishing Well’ program

The Finishing Well program aimed to retain employees with a positive safety and productivity culture in the months leading up to the Jeebropilly mine’s closure. Staff retention through the 2-year program was 98.9%.

Finalists

Anglo American  – Anglo American LIVE online concert series

Anglo American created a series of online streamed private concerts for employees, contractors, stakeholders, traditional owner groups and their families. This helped decrease staff isolation throughout COVID-19 restrictions.

Hastings Deering – Together As One

Hastings Deering pioneered the ‘Together as One’ program, fostering cultural change throughout their 3,500 strong workforce. The program has resulted in more than 3000 employee experiences and over 15,000 website impressions.

Finalists Video

Winner: Byerwen Coal, Jangga Operations & Macmahon – Yila Yina Mundu (‘Turn Around from Here’) Program

This collaborative effort built on the Thida Bullaroo (Step By Step) program, expanding QCoal’s Indigenous participation strategy. 24 new-to-industry roles were created, with full-time employment offered following completion of training. 

Finalists

Anglo American – Balancing the Team Recruitment and Training Program / Anglo American’s female-only underground trainee intake

Anglo American’s Moranbah North mine took a different approach to recruitment and training to drive inclusion and diversity. Eight entry-level trainee underground miner roles were created, with no experience necessary. Trainees will complete a Cert II in underground coal mining and gain hands-on experience

Finalists Video

Winner: Bis – Razor: the proprietary underground grader increasing safety and performance

BIS realised that innovation was sorely needed to fix inefficient, underpowered machinery that lacked reliability. Razor – developed, designed and manufactured in Australia – delivers over 30% increased tractive effort, improved braking and most importantly, improved safety.

Finalists

Ava Risk Group & Mining3 – Aura IQ – Conveyor Health Monitoring

Mining3 and Ava Risk Group collaborated to deliver a game-changing predictive conveyor monitoring system. Aura IQ is intrinsically safe and virtually maintenance-free, meaning the solution can be used underground as well as on the surface.

Skopit – Structural Steel Clamping System

The Skopit system instantly eliminates hot welding work to structural steel in and around coal and mineral processing facilities. The clamp maintains steelwork integrity, is reusable and takes just minutes to install on any size beam or colum

SMW Group – The Ultralift – collaborative commercialisation

SMW Group solved a major logistical and safety problem by creating the Ultralift, a remotely operated mobile straddle carrier. Eliminating complex slewing crane lifts saves around $15,000 every time the Ultralift is used.

Finalists Video

Winner: KCB Australia – Isaac River Upstream Drop Structure

The Isaac River Diversion’s existing drop structure failed repeatedly under flood conditions. KCB Australia’s new design’s modelling predicts enhanced energy dissipation, improved flow stability and prevention of scour upstream.

Finalists

Mining3 – Alternative Explosives

Mining3 are testing alternative explosive formulations, eliminating the nitrogen component and replacing it with hydrogen peroxide. This has the potential for a zero harmful fume scenario, also lowering risks to the environment, safety and productivity.

New Century Resources – Economic Rehabilitation – a new approach to mined land rehabilitation in Queensland

Economic Rehabilitation involves recovering about 77 million tonnes of mineralised waste from tailings storage for reprocessing and sale, funding the future rehabilitation of the rest of the Century mine. Since commencing, 10% of the tailings have been reprocessed, and long-term monitoring data is shaping up to be world-class.

Finalists Video

Winner: Ava Risk Group | Mining3 – Innovation through Collaboration

Mining3 and Ava Risk Group collaborated to deliver a game-changing predictive conveyor monitoring system. Within 10 months, the team produced the Aura IQ, an innovative, low cost and flexible maintenance solution that uses fibre optics, signal processing algorithms and data analytics.

Finalists

Mitchell Services | Anglo American  – Underground Coal Gas Drainage Drill Rig

Mitchell Services’ most recent innovation in drilling solutions is the CX1500 CoalXplorer underground coal UIS drill rig. The rig delivers enhanced data capture of the geological environment. In trials on Anglo American sites, this showed potential to help improve safety and productivity of gas drainage through enhanced geological data capture.

Unearthed Solutions | BHP – BHP ‘Fast Track’ Challenge

In 2019, BHP partnered with Unearthed to run a global online crowd sourcing competition to improve their site access experience. 27 companies presented solutions, and 7 shortlisted entries worked directly with BHP’s team for evaluation. ComplyFlow provided the winning solution.

Universal Field Robots | IMDEX – UFR and IMDEX collaborate to improve drill and blast safety, productivity and reduce risk.

Universal Field Robots and IMDEX conquered the challenge of logging blast holes, while removing operators from harm’s way. The IMDEX BLASTDOG™ solution moved from concept to prototype in just four months, providing geological data and enhancing productivity.

Bowen Basin Mining Club Queensland Mining Contractor of the Year

Winner – Gas Field Services

QMA 2020 Winners Media Release