Mining Beacon Breakthrough Innovation Award

The Mining Beacon Breakthrough Innovation Award, sponsored by RFC Ambrian, recognises innovations that have progressed beyond the concept stage and are demonstrating tangible impact, commercial relevance, and the potential to shape the future of the mining and resources industry.

The award celebrates organisations that are successfully advancing innovative products, technologies, services, processes, business models, or significant enhancements to existing offerings that are driving meaningful change across the sector.

The award will be presented at the prestigious IMARC Gala Dinner, held on 29 October 2026 at Doltone House Jones Bay Wharf, in front of a distinguished audience of global industry leaders, innovators, and peers.

Finalists will be announced soon.

Sponsor

Cian Caffrey

Executive Director

RFC Ambrian

Darren Kwok

Head of Mining Electrification & Technology

Perenti

Katie Hulmes

Head of Innovation Ecosystems

BHP Invent

Award Eligibility

To be eligible, entries must meet the following criteria:

Be submitted by an organisation that is a confirmed sponsor or exhibitor at IMARC 2026.
Demonstrate an innovation that has been developed, piloted, commercialised, or significantly advanced within the past five (5) years.
Include a new product, service, technology, process, business model, or significant enhancement to an existing offering.
Show evidence of commercialisation, market adoption, operational deployment, customer uptake, or demonstrated industry traction.
Demonstrate a clear connection to Australian innovation, including technologies, research, intellectual property, companies, institutions, or industry collaborations originating from or substantially developed in Australia.
Highlight measurable outcomes, industry impact, and future growth potential.
Include both successes achieved and key lessons learned, including challenges, setbacks, or failures that have contributed to the innovation journey.

Entry Requirements

Eligible applicants must submit the following materials:

Completed entry form
A written summary (maximum 1,500 words, PDF or Word) or a 15-minute video presentation (provide a link to the video) answering the following:
- What problem or opportunity does the innovation address, and why is it important to the mining and resources industry?
- What makes the innovation distinctive or innovative compared with existing approaches?
- Describe the development journey, including key milestones achieved within the past five years.
- What evidence demonstrates commercialisation, customer adoption, operational deployment, market traction, or industry acceptance?
- What measurable outcomes or benefits has the innovation delivered?
- What challenges, setbacks, or failures were encountered during development and deployment, and what lessons were learned?
- How does the innovation demonstrate a connection to Australian innovation, research, technology, expertise, or industry collaboration originating from or substantially developed in the country?
- What is the future potential of the innovation, and how could it influence the mining and resources industry over the next five to ten years?
Optional supporting material:
- A brief endorsement letter from a partner or customer (PDF or Word)
- Case studies, whitepapers, supporting research, or pilot/deployment/operational results (PDF or Word)

Judging Process

All submissions will be reviewed by a panel of esteemed industry experts, investors, and technology leaders.
Judges may contact shortlisted companies for a brief interview or product demonstration to clarify aspects of the submission.
Final assessment will be based on innovation and originality, commercialisation and industry traction, industry impact and measurable outcomes, Australian innovation contribution, future potential and innovation journey.

Meet last year's winner

MOVUS

Ultra vSense

MOVUS is an Australian technology company pioneering AI-driven condition monitoring solutions for heavy industries. Its Ultra vSense sensor is the world’s first sensor to combine vibration, temperature, and RPM measurement in one compact, rugged device built for mining’s toughest conditions. By replacing multiple sensors, it cuts costs by up to 40%. With cloud-powered AI insights and safe, battery-free operation, Ultra vSense delivers new levels of safety, efficiency, and reliability in mining.