Space, METS and mining: unlocking the power of technology transfer in Australia

Australia’s mining and space sectors may appear worlds apart, but in reality they are surprisingly similar. Both operate in harsh, remote environments, rely on cutting-edge technologies and are capital intensive.

What many do not realise is that space and mining have a symbiotic relationship, with technology transfer between the two sectors already generating measurable benefits for the Australian economy, sustainability and global competitiveness.

This year’s International Astronautical Congress (IAC 2025), held in September at ICC Sydney, highlighted this connection. Bringing together thousands of global delegates, exhibitors, policymakers and industry leaders, the Congress focused on the theme 'Sustainable Space: Resilient Earth'. For the first time in IAC history, space-enabled industries were directly integrated into the programme.

Reflecting too on IMARC 2025, major mining industry events are now demonstrating that space technologies are no longer confined to orbit but are increasingly driving innovation across terrestrial industries including mining and mining equipment, technology and services (METS).

Mining and METS in Australia

Australia’s mining sector remains a cornerstone of the national economy. In 2023–24, it contributed 13.4% of gross domestic product, the highest proportion of any industry. Mining generated $417bn (A$642.43bn) in revenue and drives two-thirds of Australia’s exports.

Complementing this, the METS sector contributed $114bn in revenue and employs nearly 200,000 people directly, forming a highly skilled workforce capable of integrating advanced technologies. Together, mining and METS support more than 500,000 direct jobs and some of the highest average wages in the country.

Austmine, the industry association for the Australian METS sector, plays a central role in this ecosystem by fostering collaboration between technology providers and miners. Marianne Cummings, director of strategic development at Austmine, tells Mining Technology: "There are space technologies coming into mining, and there are METS technologies going into space – a fairly circular exchange of information."

Australia is recognised worldwide for its expertise in operating in remote and challenging environments, pioneering innovations in automation, robotics and digital systems. The combination of precision engineering, smart manufacturing and small-batch customisation provided by Australian METS well-positions providers to adapt space technologies for mining – and vice versa.

Space technologies in action across the mining life cycle

Across the mining life cycle, space technologies are driving real-world improvements in efficiency, safety and environmental management, with proven applications already transforming how mines operate in Australia.

Exploration

Finding the next generation of ore deposits is increasingly challenging. Many of the near-surface resources have already been tapped, leaving deposits that are deeper, lower-grade and more remote.

Space technologies are helping geologists tackle these challenges with greater precision. Satellite imagery, hyperspectral sensors, synthetic aperture radar and other remote sensing tools allow teams to detect mineralisation without extensive drilling, reducing environmental disturbance and accelerating decision-making.

At Duck Creek in New South Wales, Fleet Space Technologies partnered with Inflection Resources to address a complex sedimentary landscape. Traditional geophysical approaches struggled to provide reliable targets, but Fleet’s ExoSphere system – combining satellite imagery, smart seismic sensors and AI-driven 3D modelling – enabled the identification of high-priority drill sites, optimised onsite logistics and limited environmental impact. It is an early demonstration of how space-enabled tools can enhance exploration at scale.

Mine site assessment and planning

Once a deposit is identified, planning and assessment become crucial for both economic and environmental outcomes. Satellite-based Earth observation, positioning and communications, combined with data analytics and robotics, help operators model scenarios, plan infrastructure and anticipate potential impacts.

At BHP’s West Musgrave project in Western Australia (WA), high-frequency satellite imaging integrated with a geographic information system allowed engineers to monitor land disturbance in near real time. Deviations from permits could be addressed promptly and rehabilitation plans adapted dynamically. The result was a reduction in on-site inspections, lower travel requirements and a more considered approach to environmental management.

Mining and processing

Balancing productivity with sustainability is a constant challenge. Sensor-assisted ore sorting, digital twins, autonomous vehicles and real-time data analytics are increasingly central to mining operations, many of which are in remote locations with limited connectivity.

Portable low-Earth orbit satellite and edge computing solutions such as those introduced by Vocus in collaboration with system integrators like Kali-Tech allow continuous monitoring, teleoperation and predictive maintenance. These systems support safer operations, reduced environmental impact and improved output, showing that space-enabled connectivity can be a core operational element.

Mine closure and rehabilitation

Closing a mine responsibly is as important as its operation. Monitoring environmental recovery, assessing biodiversity and planning rehabilitation are essential to mitigating long-term impacts. Satellites and robotics are increasingly part of this work.

For an iron ore operation in WA, K2Fly (now renamed3 Quartex) used high-resolution satellite imagery and vegetation indices to track rehabilitation progress. Centralising environmental data in this way reduced the need for frequent site visits, supported proactive decision-making and helped ensure compliance with regulatory requirements. The approach allows operators to manage closure responsibly while limiting the operational footprint.

Australian METS Collaborate with Nasa

In early 2025, Nasa and the US Geological Survey hosted a landmark workshop at the Ames Research Center in California’s Silicon Valley to explore the future of off-world resource development. Among the attendees was a strong Australian contingent led by Austmine and the Australian Remote Operations for Space and Earth (AROSE), representing the nation’s world-class METS sector.

For Nasa, Australia’s appeal is evident: no country has more experience operating in remote, data-scarce and hostile environments. From automated haul trucks to AI-driven exploration, the Australian mining sector has spent decades solving problems that closely mirror those faced in space. It is also the global leader in mining automation, home to more autonomous haul trucks than anywhere else in the world and the source of more than 60% of the mining software used internationally. That combination of harsh-environment expertise and deep digital capability makes Australia an unusually valuable partner for space-sector innovation.

Through Austmine’s mineinnovate platform, Nasa outlined three key areas where Australian expertise could make an impact: detecting and assessing minerals on the moon for off-world manufacturing; reducing geologic uncertainty through multi-sensor data fusion; and advancing off-world simultaneous localisation and mapping.

The first focuses on finding and mapping critical lunar minerals such as zirconium and barium – the building blocks for manufacturing materials in space. The second seeks to improve geological confidence by combining data from multiple sensors, painting a far clearer picture of the lunar subsurface than any single instrument could achieve. The third aims to advance autonomous mapping systems capable of navigating and surveying evolving lunar landscapes with near real-time precision.

In December 2024, Austmine and AROSE launched the METS Space Cluster, connecting members from the METS and space sectors and enabling technology transfer in areas like robotics, data analytics and mineral processing for applications such as lunar exploration.

With the space economy forecast to reach $1.8tn by 2035, the initiative provides a platform to collaborate, share knowledge and showcase Australian innovation to global space agencies. By fostering a collective METS–space ecosystem, the Cluster also highlights some of the practical challenges and opportunities that arise when bridging these two high-tech sectors.

Challenges and cross-sector opportunities

While the benefits of space technologies in mining are becoming increasingly clear, integrating these tools into traditional operations is far from straightforward.

Mining has long been a risk-averse industry, with decisions heavily guided by commercial imperatives. Testing new technology can take time, and large operations are often cautious about introducing systems that might disrupt production or affect key performance indicators.

Smaller miners or junior operations can be more willing to experiment, creating pockets of opportunity for collaboration with space technology providers, but local avenues can force Australian innovators to look offshore.

“To trial new equipment takes time and takes away from productivity. We often find there are a lot of our [Austmine] members who have been able to get their technologies overseas before they can get it into Australia. Often, that is due to the size and sophistication of the operation, because our tech is pretty sophisticated and therefore in demand,” says Cummings.

Communication also presents a subtle but significant barrier. Mining engineers, geologists and space technologists often speak different technical “languages”. What sounds familiar to one group can seem alien to another. "Even the ‘dirt’ being used in mining is called something different to the dirt (regolith) moved in space," Cummings explains.

There is also a cultural gap between industries focused on immediate commercial outcomes and those accustomed to long-term, exploratory projects. Space companies often plan over horizons of years or decades, whereas mining operations prioritise day-to-day production and short-term returns.

Bridging these differences takes time and understanding, but early efforts, such as cross-industry clusters and workshops, suggest that the divide is not insurmountable.

Some space innovators have discovered that their technologies can find quicker application in terrestrial mining, offering an unexpected route to commercialisation. Conversely, mining operations may provide insights that could help shape future space endeavours, from sensor design to autonomous systems.

Workforce development is another avenue; interdisciplinary science, technology, engineering and mathematics programmes could cultivate a generation of engineers and scientists who are comfortable navigating both mining and space contexts, strengthening Australia’s position as a global leader in high-tech resource management.

Finally, environmental and social responsibility offers an area where both sectors can learn from each other. Mining has decades of experience managing rehabilitation, community engagement and regulatory compliance. Space operations, particularly those that may eventually extend to extraterrestrial resources, could benefit from these “hard-won” lessons to “avoid repeating the same mistakes”, Cummings notes.

In turn, innovations developed for space – such as remote sensing, autonomous monitoring and data-driven decision-making – can enhance sustainable practices on Earth, creating a virtuous circle of improvement for both industries.

Space is no longer a niche pursuit for astronauts and aerospace engineers but a platform for innovation with real-world applications across the economy, especially mining. While the challenges and learnings from the two industries’ convergence are significant, the opportunities are even more so, with Australia being well-positioned to explore the new frontiers on Earth and beyond.

"Space, METS and mining: unlocking the power of technology transfer in Australia" was originally created and published by Mining Technology, a GlobalData owned brand.

The information on this site has been included in good faith for general informational purposes only. It is not intended to amount to advice on which you should rely, and we give no representation, warranty or guarantee, whether express or implied as to its accuracy or completeness. You must obtain professional or specialist advice before taking, or refraining from, any action on the basis of the content on our site.