Data Science in the Dirt: How University-Industry Partnerships Are Transforming Mining Operations

06 May 2026
River View Room 4
Tech Innovation Stream , Presentation

Mining operations generate vast volumes of data but typically analyse less than 5% of it. This session uses the BHP-Curtin Trailblazer collaboration as a blueprint for how data science partnerships can deliver measurable operational improvements fast.

What began as a proof-of-concept to address GPS calibration drift in drill rigs became a production-deployed tool analysing 80% of patterns in under five minutes, delivering $962,000 in annual savings across 55 rigs. More importantly, attendees will leave with a replicable partnership framework to unlock similar value in their own operations.  

Identify your highest-value untapped data source and assess whether a university-industry partnership could accelerate its deployment. 

Chair
Caolin Chestnutt
Caolin Chestnutt, Executive Director ACARP | Chair, Pacgold | Deputy Chair, Queensland’s Exploration Council
Speakers
Dr Paul Hancock
Dr Paul Hancock, Lead Data Scientist - Curtin Institute of Data Science (CIDS)
Matt Pomery
Matt Pomery, Principal Global Geospatial - BHP