Mining technology innovator PETRA Data Science is strengthening the future of resource extraction by providing University of Adelaide PhD students with access to its proprietary orebody learning software and industry expertise.
As a founding industry partner of the Australian Research Council (ARC) Training Centre for Integrated Operations for Complex Resources, the company is equipping researchers with real-world data and advanced tools to address critical challenges in securing global mineral supplies.
Established in 2020, the ARC Training Centre unites industry, academia, and government to develop smarter mining practices for increasingly complex ore bodies.
PETRA contributes its globally recognised software platform, which employs data fusion, ore tracking, and machine learning to optimise mine planning and operational decision-making.
“For the mining industry to thrive in the future, we must empower the next generation of data scientists with real-world experience in analytics, AI, and mining automation,” said PETRA CEO and Founder Dr Penny Stewart.
“The value of data fusion in transforming disconnected datasets into a format suitable for the mine value chain optimisation is immense — it’s the backbone of intelligent, data-driven mining operations.”
Two PhD candidates exemplify the partnership’s impact: Sultan Abulkhair and Milena Nasretdinova, both from Kazakhstan.
Abulkhair, nearing completion of his mining engineering doctorate, has undertaken three placements with PETRA since 2022.
His research focuses on integrating real-time data into orebody models to enhance mine planning accuracy.
“My research helps mining companies make faster, more accurate decisions using predictive modelling and data assimilation,” Abulkhair said.
“One of the most valuable aspects of my placement has been the chance to get feedback from experienced industry leaders, including Dr Stewart.”
Nasretdinova, who recently completed her first PETRA placement in March 2025, is pioneering methods to streamline mineral analysis.
Her work combines high-resolution X-ray Computed Tomography (XCT) and X-ray Fluorescence (XRF) data to predict processing characteristics — such as mineral grain size and energy requirements — without time-consuming traditional testing.
“Access to PETRA’s rare, high-resolution data has been critical,” Nasretdinova said.
“It’s helping me train machine learning models that would otherwise be impossible with the limited data I had.”
Beyond technical collaboration, PETRA enriches academic development through lectures, seminars, and mentorship programs.
This holistic approach ensures that students bridge theoretical knowledge with applied problem-solving strategies, preparing them to lead the industry’s digital transformation.
The ARC Training Centre initiative underscores a broader shift toward sustainable, data-driven mining.
As global demand for critical minerals grows, partnerships like PETRA’s with the University of Adelaide highlight the vital role of academia-industry collaboration in addressing resource scarcity and operational complexity.
