At the Quantum Australia Conference held last week (29-30 April), discussions were centred around how the mining industry can widen its existing competitive advantage by building on early-adopter cases of quantum sensing.
Quantum technologies refers to a broad field of science and engineering that harnesses the principles of quantum mechanics to develop new and advanced technologies, as reported by the Queensland Government. Quantum sensing uses principles of quantum mechanics for highly precise measurements of physical phenomena like time, gravity, magnetic fields, and biological and chemical signatures.
Quantum Australia says this can be done through the Commonwealth of Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation’s (CSIROs) LANDTEM technology, which helps mining companies detect mineral deposits more accurately.
CSIROs LANDTEM technology is a transient electromagnetic method of mineral prospecting, which developed a magnetic receiver known as a superconducting quantum interference device (SQUID). This enabled decaying fields to be recorded and analysed on much longer timescales than was possible with previously existing equipment.
The ability to analyse the decay signals at longer durations led to the possibility of detecting mineral bodies at greater depths, and also enabled some degree of penetration through overlying conductive layers.
Quantum discussions
At the Quantum Australia Conference, speakers focused on multiple commercial use-cases of quantum technologies in mineral exploration including how quantum sensing could improve the discovery of critical minerals, enhance geological modelling, and reduce the cost and environmental impact of exploration.
Speakers also highlighted how these technologies can enable geologists to detect underground structures with greater precision, reducing reliance on drilling, and improving exploration success rates.
Quantum-enabled imaging and sensing technologies also have the ability to lower exploration costs and environmental impact by minimising invasive surveying methods, while also improving the speed and quality of decision-making across large-scale operations.
It also enhances safety by improving detection of underground hazards, supporting monitoring of critical infrastructure such as tailings dams. As a result, this reduces the need for high-risk exploration activities.
Quantum Australia convened 900 investors, policymakers and global industry executives to examine how quantum is moving from research towards early-stage deployment and real-world applications.
Transforming discoveries
Australia’s quantum ecosystem comprises more than 40 quantum-focused companies alongside a broader pipeline of adjacent and enabling businesses, 26 dedicated research organisations, and the world’s fifth largest quantum workforce.
At the conference, industry discussions highlighted how mining and resource companies are starting to explore early deployment of technologies, particularly focusing on exploration, safety, subsurface mapping, and energy infrastructure monitoring.
For example, Nomad Atomics spoke of developing quantum sensors designed to detect subsurface structures through gravity and magnetic field measurements, with potential applications across mining, defence, and energy sectors.
TeraGlo highlighted the role of quantum sensing technologies in subsurface mapping and mineral detection. This included efforts to integrate these systems into real-world exploration workflows to support more accurate and efficient resource discoveries.
Quantum Australia CEO Petra Andrén says quantum sensing represents one of the earliest and most practical applications of quantum technology, with the potential to transform how mineral deposits are identified and characterised.
“Australia has both the geological advantage and the technical capability, but capturing that opportunity will depend on how quickly industry moves from exploration to deployment and how effectively research, industry and government are aligned to support that transition,” Andrén says.
Fortescue (ASX:FMG) Chairman Larry Marshall adds that mining is at a measurement problem.
“Where is the ore, how do you extract it efficiently and how do you minimise waste,” Marshall says.
“Quantum improves that measurement layer. You can’t optimise what you can’t measure and quantum changes what we can measure.
Better measurement means you move less rock, use less energy, lower your C1 costs and reduce emissions at the same time. That’s why the first impact of quantum in mining will come from sensing, not computing.”
Quantum Australia is a national centre for quantum industry growth established to help deliver on Australia’s quantum strategy.
Write to Aaliyah Rogan at Mining.com.au
Images: Quantum Australia
