27 May 2025
RME reflects on a hugely successful GRX25
RME recently attended the inaugural Global Resources Innovation Expo (GRX25) in Brisbane from 20–22 May 2025, showcasing the latest advancements in innovation, technology, and sustainability for the global mining sector.
RME recently attended the inaugural Global Resources Innovation Expo (GRX25) in Brisbane from 20–22 May 2025. The event showcased the latest advancements in innovation, technology, and sustainability for the global mining sector.
With the theme ‘Embracing a New Era’, GRX25 highlighted the transformative changes reshaping the industry—advancements that align strongly with RME’s mission. Our commitment to safer, more efficient mill relining through advanced technologies continues to remove reline crews from harm—both inside and outside the mill—while maximising mill availability.
A new era for critical minerals and metals
RME was privileged to have Andrew Jessett, RME’s new Chairperson, on the ground with our team—connecting with Customers and industry partners to discuss the evolving industry landscape and how RME is uniquely positioned to support companies in navigating this transition.
“The mining industry is entering a new era in terms of demand for critical minerals and metals to fuel decarbonisation and electrification. At RME, our job is to make mills safer and more efficient so that those companies can meet the growing demand for their products into the future.”
Building on this, RME’s Chief Customer Officer, Eddie Bosnjak, elaborated:
“With RME Advanced Technology, we’ve been able to improve our Customers’ safety and ultimately remove people from the line of fire. In addition to that, we’ve also been able to enhance concentrator performance through faster, shorter, and safer relines.”
Innovation on display at GRX25
At GRX25, RME showcased solutions designed to address some of the mill relining industry's most pressing remaining challenges. Our booth attracted mining professionals eager to explore the latest technologies and industry-leading innovations—including the newest breakthroughs across the RME Advanced Technology Mill Relining System, particularly THUNDERBOLT SKYWAY and THUNDERBOLT SKYPORT.
A concept that was once only a vision—performing mill relining tasks from outside the mill—is now a reality. Commercially implemented across multiple mills worldwide, this technology is transforming safety and efficiency in mineral processing.
“The new era is exciting. Not only because we can make things faster and safer and more reliable. But we can actually push to the limits”.
Reflections from RME’s Chief Engineer and company Founder
RME’s Chief Engineer, Simon Thompson, and the company's Founder and Director, Dr John Russell, offered deeper insight into how automation is transforming mill relining safety and efficiency at GRX25. By eliminating and substituting high-risk tasks, automation removes reliners from hazardous environments, allowing machines to operate faster and boosting productivity—without compromising safety.
“Mechanised relining enables the process to be faster and safer. I see the next big leap in reline safety and productivity coming from automation. It is through the elimination and substitution of risks that this technology works. It allows reliners to be outside the mill and away from high-impact hazardous areas. The beauty of it is that it’s reliable, it’s repeatable, and it’s fast.”
Reflecting on the profound impact of RME’s mechanisation of mill relining and the role automation is playing in reshaping the industry's future, Dr John Russell also shared his perspective:
“We’ll never know how many fingers, hands, and lives we’ve saved with the standard system, but with the robotics system, there’s nobody in the mill. That’s the dangerous place to be. For the robots to get everyone out of the mill—it makes the process perfectly safe. There’s no one to hurt.”
Dr John Russell was also presented with the Austmine 2025 Champion of Innovation Award at GRX25, recognising his lifelong dedication to advancing safety innovation through RME. We sincerely thank Austmine for this meaningful acknowledgment of his industry-shaping contributions throughout his distinguished career. Read more about this award here.
Raising the standard on asset support
At RME, advancing safety and productivity also goes hand in hand with prioritising asset support. During GRX25, we had valuable discussions with Customers about the importance of regular asset integrity inspections, regionally based equipment servicing, the latest safety and productivity upgrades for operational machines, critical spares provisioning, and certified training—helping to make the industry safer and more efficient, operator by operator, machine by machine, and reline by reline.
“Ensuring that we service our Customers’ assets to keep them safe, operable, and reliable is what excites me. Our ability to deliver faster lead times and better service in the manufacturing space is where we are headed.”
How to catch up if you missed GRX25
GRX25 was filled with great discussions and industry insights—but if you couldn’t attend, you can still access some of RME’s key moments.
Watch our wrap-up video capturing key highlights from the event by clicking on the thumbnail above.
You can also watch the session recording of Chief Engineer Simon Thompson's powerful keynote, as described by Austmine, “Mill Relining Automation: Applying Lessons Learned,” where he explores how automation is transforming mill relining safety and efficiency.
Thank you for connecting with RME at GRX25
A huge thank you to all our Customers who visited our booth at GRX25 and connected with us during the event. We’re excited to build on the relationships formed and continue these valuable conversations.
We also want to acknowledge our RME events team and delegates for their efforts in making this event a success. Additionally, we extend our appreciation to Austmine, in partnership with AusIMM, for delivering an outstanding show.
If you'd like to speak to an application expert about RME Advanced Technology, please reach out to RME.
LEARN MORE ABOUT RUSSELL MINERAL EQUIPMENT
WHAT WE DO
Trusted for almost 40 years as the global leading manufacturer and supplier of fast, reliable, safe, mill relining technologies, asset support and optimisation services.
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RME ADVANCED TECHNOLOGY
Our relentless pursuit to improve safety and productivity has driven us to engineer a future where relining is performed safely from outside the mill – at faster speeds than ever before.
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