IMDEX Limited has become a major industry partner of the Western Australian Government’s new Australian Automation and Robotics Precinct in Perth.
The collaboration with the State Government-owned precinct will enable IMDEX to expedite the testing and demonstration of technology, including BLASTDOG™, at a site close to its Balcatta headquarters.
IMDEX BLASTDOG™ is a commodity-agnostic blast hole sensing and physical measuring technology that delivers near real-time blast hole physicals, orebody knowledge, and a 3D view into the bench.
The Australian Automation and Robotics Precinct was purpose-built to conduct testing, research and development, and training on autonomous, remote operations, and robotic systems and equipment.
For an initial two-year period, IMDEX has agreed to build and manage a common user drill pad as a vital component of a 22-hectare Dirt Lab, which will enable numerous commercial and collaborative options as an innovative mine test and development site.
According to IMDEX CEO Paul House, having a purpose-built robotics research and development site near the company’s headquarters was ideal.
“While we operate globally and have an unrivalled presence on all major mining operations, WA is home to some of the world’s major mining companies so having the opportunity to develop and promote our technology locally is an additional benefit,” House said.
“BLASTDOG™ won’t be the only technology we will test at the site. We have plans for testing a range of IMDEX tools and technology developed by our research development team,” he added.
IMDEX recently signed contracts with two Tier-one mining companies for additional commercial testing of BLASTDOG™.
It was developed in partnership with Universal Field Robots, and IMDEX industry partners Teck Resources and Anglo American.
