BHP’s innovation team, Think & Act Differently (TAD), together with Unearthed Solutions, has announced eight finalists for its Deep Mining Open Call, chosen from more than 90 applications from across the globe.
Launched in September 2024, the Deep Mining Open Call aimed to identify innovators with capability that could be applied to deep underground mining with the focus on addressing challenges such as high temperature, high rock stress, and hypersaline conditions in deep mining environments.
“Collaborating for innovative solutions is critical to our industry, providing the opportunity to truly step change safety, sustainability and productivity potential for our resources,” BHP Innovation vice president Jessica Farrell said.
“The Deep Mining challenge, brings people and resources together, with expertise across underground mining, automation, robotics, sensors, thermal imaging, and AI-assisted technologies with the potential to building a safer more productive outcome in underground mining.”
The eight teams have been selected to receive support to accelerate and grow their ideas in a supportive environment including BHP funding, technical mentoring, opportunities for collaboration and access to BHP data and samples.
“These teams represent the forefront of innovation in deep mining technology,” Unearthed Solutions co-founder Holly Bridgwater said.
“Their solutions hold the potential to revolutionise how we approach deep mining practices, enhancing operational efficiencies and sustainability across the industry.”
BHP has supported 52 innovators in FY25 through six Cohorts.
The cohort recently gathered for its first technical roundtable, and as a part of this activity, cohort innovator Advanced Navigation live-streamed its technology from the Callio test mine in Finland.
The eight teams selected are Tripleye, Intelligent Robotics, LoopX, Minpraxis, CSIRO, Veracio & Roqsense, Advanced Navigation and Special Teams.
The selected teams will collaborate in the coming months closely with TAD, powered by BHP to develop their technologies and concepts in relation to real-world deep mining environments. Their progress and achievements will be closely monitored and supported to maximise impact and scalability.
