The current environment of low commodity prices has made it critical for mining companies to improve productivity, innovate and optimise operations. Some of the world’s latest mining innovations and technologies will be unveiled at the International Mining and Resources Conference (IMARC), being staged in Melbourne next week.

As part of the free three day exhibition, Innovation Alley will showcase leading tech companies’ new analytical instruments, advanced automation systems, cloud-based technologies, remote communication tools, and a host of other innovations designed to solve some of the mining industry’s greatest challenges.

Australia’s largest international mining and resources event, IMARC will run from Monday 7 November to Thursday 10 November 2016 at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre, with the free exhibition running from Tuesday 8 November to Thursday 10 November.

Technology companies taking part in Innovation Alley include: Minalyze, MaxMine (Resolution Systems), MineExcellence, Lantori, eHat Systems, Southern Innovation, Heat Trap Solar and Portable Analytical Solutions.

Annelie Lundstrom, CEO of Swedish technology company Minalyze, said IMARC was a great opportunity to get in front of emerging and established miners looking to invest in innovative solutions.

She said Minalyze developed analytical instruments for the mining and exploration industry, including a geolytical core scanner that allowed miners to better scan and analyse the chemistry, structure and density of samples.

"The ambition is to unlock the potential of resources in various parts of the world, and especially in Australia. The data generated from the Minalyzer CS has the potential to uncover the next wave of discoveries in the mining industry," she said.

"This innovative instrument is delivering enormous positive outcomes for explorers across the country, and is enhancing revenues, reducing costs and increasing efficiencies."

Victorian-based MineExcellence will be using IMARC as an opportunity to launch its new mining app, designed to store, manage, retrieve and analyse drill and blast-related information.

MineExcellence Managing Director Amit Bhandari said IMARC was unique because it brought more than 150 leading mining and resources companies together in the one place.