Mining Society Distinguished Lecture Series: Closing the Loop - why remote data acquisition is the key to the future of mining

Join the Adelaide Branch for the Mining Society Distinguished Lecture Series: Closing the Loop - why remote data acquisition is the key to the future of mining.

About this event

The global mining industry is at a critical juncture: deposits are becoming deeper, lower-grade, and more remote, while demand for renewable energy minerals is soaring. This complexity, combined with rising ESG pressure and an acute skills shortage, demands a shift towards data-driven sustainability and profitability.

This lecture will explore the urgent business case for transitioning from traditional, human-centered inspection to automated, remote data acquisition. Current manual inspections are not only costly (estimated at hundreds of thousands of dollars per week in lost production) but expose personnel to hazards and are also prone to error.

The speaker, Dr Joe Cronin will detail how innovative, sensor rich robotic platforms revolutionise this paradigm. These systems enable data capture to be scheduled during production from a central control centre, eliminating the need for personnel in hazardous zones and recovering significant lost production time.

The session concludes by addressing the "Great Unknown" - the immense, untapped value that this continuous, high-fidelity data unlocks by delivering insights that allow us to manage risks and to mine with less uncertainty. This revolution in data capture is projected to deliver significantly more value than current inspection activities, empowering mine operators with the real-time insights required for enhanced productivity, safety, and compliance in the era of Zero Entry Mining.

Speaker/s

Dr Joe Cronin

FAusIMM

CEO Australian Droid and Robot (ADR)

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Dr Joe Cronin is a globally respected leader in underground mining automation and safety innovation. Transitioning from the defence sector to mining in 2012, he led the landmark LHD automation project at Northparkes’ E48 block cave mine—still regarded as the most successful of its kind. His pioneering “Safety by Separation” concept, inspired by bomb disposal robotics, has redefined hazard mitigation by removing personnel from dangerous environments through remote inspection technologies.

Dr Cronin holds a Bachelor of Mechanical Engineering and PHD in Robotics from UNSW, and is the CEO of Australian Droid and Robot (ADR).

Dr Cronin’s founding of Australian Droid & Robot (ADR) in 2016 addressed the growing need for safe, remote inspection in increasingly automated mines. His advocacy for open automation systems has enabled broader equipment integration, enhancing safety and accessibility across the industry.

Internationally recognised for his work with the Global Mining Guidelines (GMG) Zero Entry initiative and OEM collaborations, Dr Cronin has also led automation projects in Canada, Australia, and Africa.

Dr Cronin’s sustained leadership, innovation, and commitment to protecting workers was officially recognised when he was awarded the 2025 AusIMM Mining Society Award for Excellence, a first for a robotics engineer.