Innovator interactions at IMARC 2025 (hottest emerging mining technologies)

Three members of the Unearthed team headed east to the International Mining and Resources Conference 2025 in Sydney last month. This event is Australia’s premier mining conference, bringing together mine operators, solution providers, government representatives, and technical experts from across the globe.

Unearthed Director, Holly Bridgwater, led a series of high energy panels exploring the intersection of mining technology and funding models. Conversations ran across venture capital, angel investment, and collaborative frameworks that enable mining operators to signal demand for emerging technologies and attract innovation into the sector.

“The conference floor was a mix of large established players, government bodies and smaller emerging technology and exploration groups.”

Elsewhere, Jake Harris, Lead Research and Innovation Delivery, was on the ground across the IMARC expo floor connecting with a wide range of emerging and scaling technology companies.

Each group is pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in geoscience, underground mining, processing, and mine rehabilitation. Through these conversations, Unearthed connected with new ideas, scaling technologies, and the people driving mining’s next wave of innovation!

The Innovators

Geosciences – sensing, drilling, data

• TeraGlo – portable quantum sensors for real-time material identification
• neuro.mine – data intelligence for exploration decision-making
• Outer Rim Exploration (ORE) – muon sensors for rapid mineral discovery

Underground – CAS, backfill, vertical hoisting, drilling tech

• LoopX – multi-sensor situational awareness for underground fleets
• EcoHoist – vertical material transport innovation
• Westfill – next gen backfill concepts
• IBT | Innovative Blasting Technologies – robotics and blasting systems for underground (in development)

Processing – graphite, gallium, germanium, red muds

• RapidGraphite – synthetic graphite production
• GeGa Elements – gallium and germanium refining
• FAST Metals – critical mineral recovery from industrial waste streams

Rehabilitation & Social Licence – eDNA, soil delivery, ESG education

• TreeTrack – UAVs for precision reforestation
• Bioculum – transforming tailings into living soils
• Centre for Invasive Species Solutions – national invasive species technology hub
• DNAir – airborne eDNA sensors for biodiversity tracking
• Responsible Mining Academy – sustainability and ESG capability building

The Visit to Cicada Labs

A diary mix up led Jake Harris on an unexpected detour from IMARC to Cicada Innovations, home to GeGa Elements. The Sydney based group is part of a new wave of mineral processing startups pivoting from lithium DLE technology into broader critical minerals such as gallium and germanium.

“Cicada is a home to multiple emerging deep tech innovators, with a series of labs and supporting facilities of varying scale. The setting within an old railway warehouse in the inner city suburb of Eveleigh, Sydney, is something to behold!”

During the visit, the team showcased their laboratory work and pathway to commercialisation. Gallium, a vital component in semiconductors and solar cells, has been of high interest in the current geopolitical landscape.

Closing Thoughts

With record attendance and a strong international presence, IMARC 2025 once again proved why it remains the centrepiece of the Australian mining calendar. The event brought together the full spectrum of the industry, from major OEMs and operators to emerging technology groups showcasing breakthrough ideas.

The pace of technology advancement, coupled with operator interest and collaboration, continues to accelerate, and we’ll be back next year!

If you’re exploring or developing new technologies for the mining and metals sector, feel free to get in touch with Holly Bridgwater or Jake Harris at Unearthed.

As certified mining technology geeks we are always scanning and scouting for new capabilities applicable to the mining & resources sector. Are you interested in emerging technologies? Each week we showcase five innovative companies through our Launched segment. sign up for our weekly newsletter here.