BHP, Bellevue geologists weigh AI gains against risks 

Unearthed Perth 2018 winners Team Steel Ballers.     BY REUBEN ADAMS   MORE than 100 innovators gathered at CORE Innovation Hub over 13-15 April to tackle four real operational challenges from BHP Nickel West for Unearthed Perth 2018.   Students and professionals from the science, engineering, business, entrepreneurial, software development, and mathematics disciplines participated in the 54-hour open innovation event. Nickel West head of integrated operations Karl Stokes said working with Unearthed was an opportunity to connect with some of the best minds in the technology and data science space.   “Nickel West is in an exciting period as we are set to become a globally significant battery material supplier very soon,” Mr Stokes said.   First prize went...

BHP has partnered with Microsoft and Prescience Insilico to accelerate the discovery of advanced copper leaching solutions as the miner looks to grow copper production to support demand driven by the energy transition, digitalisation and AI.

Copyright © 2018 Rio Tinto. Image: Christian Sprogoe Photography.   BY REUBEN ADAMS   AUSTRALIA’S first nationally accredited courses in automation will be delivered for the first time in 2019.   This is the next step of a landmark partnership between South Metropolitan TAFE and Rio Tinto announced in October last year, with the miner contributing $2 million towards a new curriculum including robotics, data analytics and digital inclusion education. Rio Tinto Iron Ore chief executive Chris Salisbury said the new wider curriculum being developed would enhance capabilities of those in the mining sector and form part of the learning pathways for those seeking to enter a range of industries applying automation and technology. The proposed curriculum will be completed...