Orica has been awarded runner-up for its powerful whole-of-mine optimisation simulator, Integrated Extraction Simulator (IES) in the Australian Financial Review’s Most Innovative Companies List 2022 under the Agriculture, Mining & Utilities Service industry.
Published by The Australian Financial Review (AFR) and Boss Magazine, the prestigious annual list is based on a meticulous assessment process led by innovation consulting firm Inventium and a panel of industry experts. Out of the 700 organisations that were nominated across Australia and New Zealand, Orica came in at number 2 – solidifying IES as a pioneering technology in the Agriculture, Mining & Utilities service industry that delivers value for customers and serves to move the mining industry forward.
Developed by the Brisbane-based Cooperative Research Centre for Optimising Resource Extraction (CRC ORE), IES is a cloud-based software platform designed to reduce the use of energy and water in mining through the application of simulation, optimisation and machine learning.
By harnessing the virtually limitless scalability available through cloud computing services, mining companies can now use IES to configure multiple design options for a mineral processing plant. IES then assesses each design by simulating its performance for every day of operation over the life of a mine. This high-resolution simulation of each design leaves no stone unturned in the pursuit of optimal mineral processing.
Reflecting on the achievement, Orica Chief Technology Officer Angus Melbourne said:
“Orica’s vision is to transform how drill and blast is used to unlock mining value, utilising digital and automated technologies to create safer, and more productive blast outcomes for our customers. Our technology and innovation strategy are premised on our commitment to sustained technology investment and IES is an excellent example of this innovative spirit on show. This technology has evolved through collaborative innovation between our experts, customers, technology partners and the industry.”
Orica Vice President Digital Solutions Rajkumar Mathiravedu said: “Through the use of IES, operations will now be able to optimise their processing operations and identify the means for step-change reductions in power and water consumption, while greatly improving recoveries of marginal ores, all contributing to the future sustainability of mining operations.”
The AFR industry panel considered several key elements when judging the innovation, including the value of the problem being solved, the level of impact the innovation has had, and the quality and uniqueness of the solution. Additionally, applicants had to showcase their innovative culture and the sustainable, repeatable approach taken towards innovation across the business.
Having been recognised as one of the most innovative companies in the AFR Awards program for the past six years straight, this year’s achievement further reinforces Orica’s technology leadership position in the mining industry, beyond blasting.
To learn more about IES visit: www.orica.com/IES
 is a powerful whole-of-mine optimisation simulator for rapidly assessing both narrow and broad-based scenarios across the value chain..jpg)
The Integrated Extraction Simulator (IES) is a powerful whole-of-mine optimisation simulator for rapidly assessing both narrow and broad-based scenarios across the value chain.
Optimisation of processing operations by use of IES will also identify step-change reductions in power and water consumption.