RocketDNA Secures A$490K Contract for 3-Year Drone Deployment at Gruyere

A New Chapter in Mining Technology

RocketDNA Ltd (ASX – RKT) has announced a pivotal three-year contract to supply its autonomous drone technology to the Gruyere Gold Mine in Western Australia. Valued at around A$490,000, this deal highlights the growing appetite within the mining sector for integrated AI and drone solutions that enhance operational efficiency and safety.

The contract centers on RocketDNA’s xBot® SurveyBot system, a drone-in-a-box platform designed for autonomous daily flights. This system will be deployed to conduct open-pit and stockpile surveys, providing high-resolution imagery and real-time data streaming to site managers and engineers. The integration of RocketDNA’s proprietary SiteTube® platform ensures that data is securely visualized and accessible via the cloud, enabling remote decision-making.

Operational Impact and Strategic Significance

RocketDNA’s solution is more than just hardware; it includes remote piloting services compliant with Australian aviation regulations, delivered from Remote Operating Centres in Perth and Adelaide. This comprehensive approach allows Gruyere’s survey and open-pit teams to benefit from faster data turnaround and improved site visibility without the need for constant on-site drone operation.

Christopher Clark, RocketDNA’s Managing Director and CEO, emphasized the strategic value of this partnership, noting that the contract reflects a broader trend among Tier 1 miners to adopt autonomous data services. The deal also positions RocketDNA as a key player in the mining technology space, leveraging AI and drone capabilities to meet evolving industry demands.

Context Within the Mining Sector

Gruyere is a significant gold mining operation jointly owned by Gold Road Resources and Gold Fields, with the latter set to assume full ownership later this year. The mine’s scale and operational complexity make it an ideal candidate for RocketDNA’s autonomous solutions, which promise to streamline surveying tasks critical to blast planning, volumetrics, and inventory tracking.

While the contract’s fixed value is modest, additional usage-based revenue is anticipated, suggesting potential upside as the technology’s adoption deepens. The agreement also includes provisions for hardware upgrades, ensuring RocketDNA’s technology remains cutting-edge throughout the term.

As mining companies increasingly seek to leverage automation and data analytics, RocketDNA’s foothold at Gruyere could serve as a springboard for further contracts across Australia and beyond.