Mining3 stated that this recent addition further expands its diverse membership base of future facing research organisations, mining and METS companies looking to transform the way we mine.

Mining3 membership is open to mining companies, original equipment manufacturers (OEMs), mining equipment and technology services (METS) and universities, and enables them to be an intrinsic and influential part of an active cohort of members working to resolve the mining industry's biggest challenges.

South32 joins existing Mining3 members AngloGold Ashanti, Newcrest, Oz Minerals, Vale, Caterpillar, Dyno Nobel, Komatsu, University of Queensland, Curtin University, CSIRO and Queensland University of Technology.

Professor Paul Lever, CEO of Mining3, said: "South32 is a well-respected organisation with a diverse portfolio with the opportunity to engage in a number of meaningful projects into the future. We're very much looking forward to working more closely with their team."

For over two decades, Mining3 has been researching and developing mining industry-led innovations. Its internationally respected members steer its research roadmap to industry identified problems, which shortens the innovation cycle and provides solutions to the industry more quickly.

Mining3 stated that it understands that effective collaboration is by far the most powerful instrument of innovation, and therefore welcomes South32. Lever added: "We welcome South32 as a mining company member to further strengthen our collective research and innovation capabilities."