News IMDEX major partner in robotics testing centre

Leading global mining-tech company IMDEX has become a major industry partner of the new Australian Automation and Robotics Precinct in Perth.

The partnership with the State Government-owned precinct will allow IMDEX to accelerate testing and demonstration of technology including its award-winning BLASTDOG^TM at a site close to its Balcatta headquarters.

IMDEX BLASTDOG^TM is a commodity agnostic blast hole sensing and physical measurement technology that provides near real-time blast hole physicals and orebody knowledge and a 3D view into the bench.

The 51-hectare automation and robotics precinct 40km north of the Perth CBD was purpose-built for testing, research and development, and training in autonomous, remote operations, and robotic systems and equipment.

IMDEX has signed on as an industry partner for an initial period of two years and will build and maintain a common user drill pad as a critical part of a 22-hectare Dirt Lab, which will enable various commercial and collaborative opportunities as an innovation mine test and development site.

IMDEX Chief Executive Officer Paul House said having a purpose-built, robotics research and development site so close to 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,” Mr House said.

“BLASTDOG^TM 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 and development team.”

IMDEX has recently signed deals with two tier-one mining companies for further commercial testing of BLASTDOG^TM.

It has been developed in collaboration with Universal Field Robots and IMDEX industry partners Teck Resources and Anglo American.