GMEK: Modelling a Better Future in Mining and Beyond
Founded in 2021 under the leadership of Technical Director Michael (Mike) Munro, GMEK has already sparked industry-wide attention and grown into a trusted name in geoscience and engineering, supporting multiple projects in Australia. Building on this early momentum, the next chapter promises to be transformational for both GMEK and the industries it serves.
In late 2024, GMEK underwent a strategic restructuring – a deliberate move to focus on product development and the rollout of next-gen solutions for data acquisition, 3D geomodelling, and geohazard analysis. The goal? To enable lower-impact mining and sustainability in engineering by leveraging deeper geological insights – working with the grain, not against it.
Backing Innovation with Country
The restructure is bolstered through a partnership with ECO Drilling Solutions, led by Janie Bentley, a proud Ngadju woman from Western Australia’s southern Goldfields. ECO is a Supply Nation-certified Indigenous company with a fleet of nine rigs operating nationally. With longstanding ties to Mike dating back to 2010, Janie and her team immediately saw the value and vision behind GMEK’s work.
“We saw something special, and knew we could back it,” says Bentley. “Mike had the ideas and the talent. We could offer the scale and support to help deliver these solutions for industry.”
Since then, GMEK has continued to accelerate – picking up new clients and securing its first major research grant. With its team of specialists, the company’s solutions and research collaborations have already earned industry recognition, with further developments on the horizon.
What’s more, GMEK’s technology is not limited to mining. Applications are expanding into tunnelling and hydrogeology, including geothermal and brine-based mineral exploration – areas critical to the energy transition and sustainable development.
Closing the Gap
“A big part of our success comes from how we integrate structural geology,” says Munro.
“Despite the wealth of knowledge available, there’s still a major gap in the industry’s ability to capture and apply critical structural data in modelling. It’s a persistent issue across resource estimation, hydro-modelling, and rock mechanics.”
“Many still rely on decades-old methods, using statistical parameters that often miss the geological reality. But this is exactly where it matters – at the assessment stage, where projects can hinge on getting it right.”
This is where GMEK comes in. “To close the gap, we’re helping clients leverage valuable borehole and mapping data in entirely new ways, particularly in areas of complex structures and rock fabrics. And where the data supports it, we extend that integration from thin section all the way to seismic scale.” These new approaches also have significant cost-saving implications for exploration and ground investigations.
“At GMEK, we’re designing what’s next. We’re proud to be ahead of the curve,” says Munro. “We’re excited about the journey ahead and look forward to sharing it with those who share our curiosity and drive to improve the way things are done.”
 Munro, GMEK has already sparked industry-wide attention and grown into a trusted name in geoscience and engineering, supporting multiple projects in Australia. Building on this early momentum, the next chapter promises to be transformational for both GMEK and the industries it serves. ){kind=link}