Originally published by The Australian Mining.
29.06.2026
As WA Mining prepares to spotlight the next wave of mining innovation, Hancock Iron Ore is already embedding AI into everyday operations.
Artificial intelligence (AI) is no longer being viewed as a future ambition for the mining industry, but as a practical tool that is already reshaping how operations run on the ground.
That shift in mindset is set to take centre stage at the 2026 edition of Western Australia Mining Conference and Exhibition 2026 (WA Mining).
The event’s newly introduced Transformative Tech Zone will spotlight the technologies and systems redefining modern mining operations.
For Western Australian iron ore miner Hancock Iron Ore, that transformation is already well underway.
The company is leveraging advanced AI techniques to anticipate equipment failures before they happen and detect and classify track defects on its 344km rail line linking its mine to Port Hedland.
Hancock’s approach to AI has been centred on operational outcomes rather than chasing technology trends.
Examples like Hancock Iron Ore are helping to illustrate the kinds of real-world innovation that will be showcased across WA Mining’s new technology-focused event zones.
This year’s event will also feature a dedicated Decarbonisation Zone, bringing together companies and technologies focused on lower-emission mining solutions.
Prime Creative Media show director – mining events Rebecca Todesco said the timing of the return of WA Mining aligns closely with the industry’s accelerating evolution.
“WA Mining is coming back at a time when the industry is actively transforming,” Todesco said.
“The Decarbonisation Zone and the new Transformative Tech Zone are a clear representation of where mining is headed; towards smarter, more sustainable and more efficient operations.”
The Transformative Tech Zone will host companies already deploying digital and automation technologies across mining operations, including LEAP Australia, Strata Bot AI and Auxilium One. According to Todesco, the emphasis is firmly on practical applications rather than theoretical concepts.
“Attendees won’t just see what’s possible; they’ll see what’s already being implemented across the sector,” she said.
“This is about practical solutions that companies can adopt now to stay competitive.”
That message closely mirrors Hancock Iron Ore’s internal technology strategy, which has seen the company establish a dedicated digital innovation team that is working alongside operational and engineering personnel to identify where AI can deliver practical improvements across the business.
One of Hancock Iron Ore’s early breakthroughs was the development of its in-house AI language model, which later became RoyBot, a secure internal AI platform capable of analysing reports, retrieving production data and assisting workers with operational insights.
AI is now being integrated across multiple parts of Hancock’s business, including rail and wheel defect detection, predictive maintenance, stockpile analysis and process plant optimisation.
For Hancock Iron Ore, successful digital transformation depends as much on people as it does on technology itself. That people-first approach has included internal AI literacy programs and employee-led innovation initiatives, ensuring operational teams remain directly involved in shaping how the technology is used across the business.
For WA Mining, those kinds of real-world case studies are exactly what the Transformative Tech Zone aims to bring into focus.
As mining companies continue to balance productivity, safety and decarbonisation pressures, the sector’s next competitive edge may increasingly come from how effectively it integrates digital technologies into everyday operations.