Minnovare first implemented its Production Optimiser system, designed to reduce blasthole drilling deviation of production rigs, at one of Northern Star's Kalgoorlie underground operations in March 2018. The technology was run on three long-hole production drills.

Five months later, the system was introduced to a second operation on another three long-hole rigs.

According to Minnovare, the Production Optimiser technology can work independently of the drilling rig's on-board systems, with the aim of delivering greater speeds, accuracy and reliability in rig setup, which in turn should lead to better drilling accuracy and blasting.

The system also uses Minnovare's CORE software that digitises drill plans and plods (Digi-Plan/Digi-Plod) for more accurate drill-data capture and real-time transfer.

Last year, Minnovare MD Callum McCracken told MM that he viewed Northern Star as an early adopter of technology in Australia, which is why the tech company was also leveraging their collaboration agreement to get the miner's input on the development of other new pieces of technology. This could potentially help fast-track the development of these products.

Overall, Northern Star has seen average drilled metres increase by up to 33% across its Kalgoorlie operations, according to Jeff Brown, the miner's principal for innovation and technology.

"The follow-on from that increase is an equally significant impact to the productivity, and ultimately, profitability of our operations. It's a prime example of a new technology can quickly add value to multiple areas - producing a better business outcome," he said.