In a bold effort to modernize one of the world’s oldest industries, Australian mining tech company NextOre has partnered with the University of Technology Sydney’s (UTS) Robotics Institute to bring cutting-edge robotics, automation, and AI into mining operations. The strategic partnership is focused on deploying robotics in mining to improve sustainability, increase efficiency, and develop the next generation of talent for a rapidly evolving sector.
As mining companies face rising pressure to reduce their environmental footprint and optimize operations, the demand for graduates skilled in automation, machine learning, and robotics is surging. This partnership between NextOre and UTS directly addresses that need by embedding students in real-world projects and bringing fresh, tech-savvy talent into the mining workforce.
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Robotics in Mining: A New Era of Automation
NextOre’s flagship innovation is a magnetic resonance (MR) ore analyser, which uses similar technology to MRI scanners found in hospitals. Originally developed by CSIRO, the analyser scans mined material in real time, allowing operators to separate valuable ore from waste with remarkable precision. This technology reduces the need for water, fuel, and chemicals—cutting both costs and environmental impact.
When it came time to adapt this MR system to function with massive, 7-meter mining trucks, NextOre turned to the UTS Robotics Institute. The institute’s expertise in robotic vision, lightweight sensor design, and AI-based control systems was key to bringing this technology into full-scale mining operations.
“UTS brought the robotics depth we needed,” said Shivika Singh, COO of NextOre. “Their students helped us take this from concept to field deployment. We’re not just building technology—we’re building a future-ready workforce.”
Real-World Training for Robotics Students
As the mining industry digitizes, it is increasingly reliant on engineers and data scientists with advanced knowledge in robotics in mining. For students at UTS, the partnership offers practical experience beyond the lab.
Hung Thai, a graduate of the UTS Robotics Institute and now a mechatronics engineer at NextOre, credits the collaboration with changing his career path.
“I never imagined working in mining,” Thai said. “But through this project, I saw my coursework in robotics and automation come to life. Now I’m helping build cleaner, smarter mining systems.”
Kenny Tafianoto, another UTS graduate working at NextOre, shared a similar experience. Exposure to robotic automation in mining opened up unexpected career opportunities and hands-on experience with one of the world’s most resource-intensive industries.
Building a Talent Pipeline for Smart Mining
Through this collaboration, UTS students are helping solve complex industrial challenges—like developing a lightweight, industrial-grade 3D vision system and refining real-time data analytics for ore processing. In turn, NextOre gains access to a steady pipeline of graduates prepared to work at the intersection of automation, sustainability, and mining innovation.
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“This partnership is helping redefine what mining careers look like,” said Singh. “A student with a robotics major can now walk straight into a mining company and start shaping its future.”
Gavin Paul, Associate Professor at UTS, emphasized that the institute’s programs are designed to ensure students work on real, impactful challenges.
“Our students are developing practical skills with immediate value,” Paul said. “Companies like NextOre benefit from new thinking and innovative approaches that extend beyond traditional mining methods.”
Sustainable Innovation Amid Global Uncertainty
As global supply chains tighten and geopolitical concerns mount—especially around the control of critical minerals like gadolinium, recently restricted by China—efficiency in resource extraction is becoming a strategic imperative.
NextOre’s CEO Chris Beal believes robotics is central to that transition.
“We’re showing that mining can be efficient, precise, and sustainable,” Beal said. “With UTS, we’re not just refining minerals—we’re refining what’s possible in the mining industry.”
The company’s MR analyser is already operational across mine sites worldwide, contributing to reduced energy use, lower emissions, and smarter resource management.
The Future of Robotics in Mining
The partnership between NextOre and the UTS Robotics Institute is more than a research collaboration—it’s a model for how academia and industry can co-create solutions for sustainable growth. With mining companies now competing for talent in robotics and AI, projects like this ensure a new generation of engineers is prepared to meet the sector’s challenges.
As robotics in mining continues to evolve, this collaboration stands as a powerful example of how technology and education can work together to modernize a legacy industry—and pave the way for a cleaner, more efficient future.
