Join us for the inaugural meeting

of the

Mining Innovation Network

Presentations by:

Professor Peter Klinken, The Chief Scientist of Western Australia

Callum McCracken, Managing Director and co-founder, Minnovare

Professor Peter Klinken, The Chief Scientist of Western Australia

Professor Klinken is a leading Western Australian medical research scientist, highly regarded for his work in advancing the understanding of genes involved in leukaemia, cancer and anaemia. His many research achievements include the discovery of a gene that supresses the growth of tumours.

After obtaining his PhD from The University of Western Australia, he undertook research at the US National Institutes of Health in Washington and the Walter and Eliza Hall Institute in Melbourne.

His previous roles have included Professor in Clinical Biochemistry at The University of Western Australia; Director of Research at the Royal Perth Hospital; and the Director of the Harry Perkins Institute of Medical Research (previously the Western Australian Institute for Medical Research).

Under his stewardship, the Perkins Institute attracted world-class national and international researchers to the State and made numerous acclaimed medical discoveries. He also spear-headed the development of two new state-of-the-art medical research facilities, Perkins North in Nedlands (QEII Medical Centre) and Perkins South in Murdoch (Fiona Stanley Hospital).

Professor Klinken brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to the role of Chief Scientist. His input will support the Government in growing the State’s science industries to achieve future prosperity for Western Australians.

In his inaugural address Proffesor Klinken will present "The Future of Science in WA".

Callum McCracken, Managing Director and co-founder, Minnovare

Callum is the Managing Director and co-founder of mining technology firm Minnovare, founded in 2012 for the purpose of developing, producing and distributing the Azimuth Aligner®.

With substantial experience in the mining industry, Callum has worked from the ground up, having previously been the Operations Manager and General Manager of Downhole Surveys. Before entering the mining industry, Callum worked in the UK for Bombardier Aerospace as a Mechanical Engineer, where he worked in research and development, focused on the redesign and manufacture of key aircraft structures from carbon fibre technology.

As Managing Director of Minnovare, Callum is tasked with overseeing the company’s development and delivery of the Azimuth Aligner to the global marketplace.

The Azimuth Aligner® is a device that aligns drill rigs, automating what is traditionally a manual, labour intensive and inefficient process, significantly improving ‘bit on bottom’ time, safety, efficiency and overall drilling productivity. Globally, within the context of the mining industry alone, the productivity benefits translate to potential savings of up to $350 million per annum.

In under three years the company has brought to life a technological advance from concept to its acceptance and use by major mining and civil engineering companies in Australia, North America, Europe and Africa. The product represents a significant part of Australia's future in mining - not the exporting of ore, but the exporting of ideas; technology which delivers proven productivity gains, cost savings and safety improvements for industry around the globe.

Minnovare has been acknowledged by both the mining and civil construction industries with award recognition, most recently winning the prestigious Australian Technologies Competition’s Mining Technologies Award.

In his talk Callum will provide an overview of the Azimuth Aligner, both from a technical perspective as well as explaining the value proposition for the product within the global mining industry. He will summarise Minnovare’s journey, the trials and tribulations of a technology Start-up Company in the mining industry, and discuss some of the successful strategies Minnovare has deployed. Callum will also outline some of the projects where the Azimuth Aligner has been successfully deployed and conclude with outlining his views on the role innovation will play in the mining industries future.