Australia’s world-class mining sector and quantum research base are converging, providing results that could redefine mineral exploration.
Quantum sensing technology could unlock a new frontier for Australia as a high-grade technology developer in the global mining sector.
Key stakeholders in Australia’s hundred-billion-dollar mining sector gathered at the Quantum Australia Conference in April 2026 to discuss how quantum sensing could strengthen the nation’s competitive position in mineral exploration.
The conference, run by Quantum Australia, focused on how quantum is moving from research to early-stage deployment and real-world applications, with the potential to widen Australia’s existing competitive advantage by building on early-adopter cases in quantum sensing.
Quantum Australia chief executive officer Petra Andrén said quantum sensing represents one of the most practical applications of the technology for mining, with the potential to transform how mineral deposits are identified and characterised.
“For a long time, most discussion around quantum focused on future computing applications,” she told Mining.
“Sensing is different, not relying on the arrival of a fault-tolerant quantum computer, and there are nearer-term use cases where the technology can potentially deliver practical value.
“Another shift is the level of engagement across the ecosystem.
These conversations are no longer happening only between researchers.”
Andrén said Australian mining companies, investors, equipment providers, and government bodies are all “now actively involved” in discussions about deploying and commercialising quantum sensing technology.
According to Quantum Australia, the country has the world’s fifth-largest quantum workforce with more than 40 quantum-focused companies and around 26 dedicated research organisations.
“Australia is well placed here because we already have strong mining capability, deep geoscience expertise and globally recognised quantum research… and translate it into industrial capability and economic value,” Andrén said.
Mining exploration is becoming more complex, and many of the deposits needed for the energy transition are increasingly difficult to find, compared to previous generations of resources, according to Andrén.
“Quantum sensing has the potential to improve the sensitivity and resolution of subsurface surveying, which could help geologists build a clearer picture of what sits below the surface before major drilling programs begin,” she said.
Going forward, the technology could produce the strongest value from improved targeting. Considering that exploration is inherently expensive and risky, even modest improvements in confidence could “have large economic consequences” within the mining sector.
However, Andrén said the technology would be unlikely to replace existing exploration methods. Instead, quantum sensing is likely to become integrated within mining operations as a tool that improves targeting, reduces uncertainty, and supports better decision-making.
“Incremental improvements in exploration can have major commercial impacts in mining,” Andrén said.
Image: nordroden/adobestock.com
“Better data, improved targeting and greater confidence before drilling can materially influence exploration outcomes and capital allocation decisions.”
Andrén said this goes beyond just reducing costs, but also improving productivity, shortening exploration timelines, and potentially increasing discovery success rates.
This is a crucial factor, especially as the quantum sensing technology moves from technical success to operational deployment.
“Mining companies need technologies that are reliable, repeatable, commercially viable, and able to integrate into existing workflows,” Andrén said.
“There is also a scaling challenge. Moving from successful field trials into broad deployment requires manufacturing capability, engineering integration, workforce skills and access to test environments.”
While acknowledging that emerging technologies, such as quantum sensing, need to bridge the gap between research capability and industrial adoption, Andrén said Australia’s mining assets, with its geology, mining capability, and research base, are already well-positioned to handle this shift.
Potentially, if quantum sensing is successfully developed and deployed within Australia’s mining sector, it could reinforce Australia’s position not only as a resource producer but also as a developer of high-value technologies.
“Technologies developed for mining can often have applications in areas like defence, infrastructure, navigation and environmental monitoring,” Andrén said.
“The countries that capture the most value from quantum technologies are likely to be those that combine research capability with industrial adoption and commercial scale.”
Quantum sensing technology also has the potential to reduce the environmental footprint of mining exploration by minimising invasive drilling and surveying through a more targeted approach and providing a greater understanding of the subsurface.
“It may help reduce unnecessary drilling and surveying in some situations,” Andrén said.
“More precise targeting could also improve operational efficiency and reduce the footprint associated with large exploration campaigns.”
Realising that potential, however, will demand sustained alignment across research, industry, and government.
To achieve this, Andrén said a continued effort on coordination between research, industry, and government is necessary to move technologies from demonstration into deployment, including supporting testbeds, encouraging industry collaboration, strengthening commercialisation pathways, and ensuring companies can access the infrastructure, talent, and investment necessary.
“At the same time, it is important to stay realistic. Quantum sensing will complement existing exploration methods rather than replace them entirely,” she said.
“There is also the international dimension; quantum technologies are developing within global supply chains and partnerships, so Australia needs to remain internationally connected while continuing to build sovereign capability locally.”
This feature appeared in the Winter 2026 edition of the Mining Magazine.
