The 2023 International Mining and Resources Conference (IMARC) is bringing together mining and space exploration to collaborate on innovations that will take both sectors to new heights.
A feature panellist at IMARC, Australian Space Agency director of space technology uplift Arvind Ramana said space innovations are directly related to the mining industry and decarbonisation.
“Space acts as a vantage point and an enabler for all critical technologies, imparting value to industries like mining and agriculture by serving as a critical enabler for innovation and productivity,” Ramana said.
“Space and sustainability are domains where collective international efforts are best positioned to achieve superior outcomes for humanity. What is needed is for nations to collaborate, share best practices, and establish guidelines for ethical conduct, aligning with the direction the mining sector is taking toward sustainability.
“Space technology plays a crucial role in the early stages of emissions reduction, laying the groundwork for addressing the challenges of global warming.”
Also speaking at IMARC will be Jonathan Stock, director of the National Innovation Centre at the United States Geological Survey.
“The technologies developed for space missions inherently lead to improved efficiencies for renewable energy on Earth, as a byproduct of the challenges associated with operating off-world where oxygen is scarce,” he said.
“Many different organisations, both public and private, are working together to enhance the tools and technologies used in subsurface exploration. They are focusing on using artificial intelligence, autonomous systems, advanced computing, and specialised equipment to make resource detection and assessment not only faster but more affordable.”
IMARC will feature a session on Mining and Space: Collaborating on Robotics and Automation Capability. The session will be held on day three, November 2 from 1:30pm–3:30pm.