The International Conference on Bulk Materials Storage, Handling & Transportation (ICBMH) reinforced the importance of technical collaboration as delegates from industry and academia gathered to discuss emerging technologies, operational challenges, and the future direction of Australia’s bulk handling sector.
Held every three years, the conference remains one of the industry’s few events dedicated primarily to the technical aspects of bulk materials handling.
ICBMH conference chair Mark Jones said the event continues to provide a valuable forum for knowledge sharing across the industry.
“I think they’re a marvellous opportunity for industry and academia to come together to look at the new initiatives in the industry and to really share experiences,” Jones said.
“I’ve had a lot of feedback from delegates that have really enjoyed the interactions between industry and academia and the willingness of people to share information.”
That collaborative approach was reflected throughout the conference program, where presentations focused less on commercial outcomes and more on solving practical engineering challenges.
Safety, automation, and condition monitoring emerged as recurring themes, particularly as operators seek to improve conveyor reliability and overall safety.
REMA TIP TOP graduate mechatronics engineer Rachel Laudehr said the conference showcased how rapidly monitoring technologies are evolving.
“I’d say safety is the biggest one,” she said.
“Manual inspections take up a lot of time, and being out in the field in that line of fire can be dangerous.
“That’s why we were really excited about monitoring. I think the most important factor is just trying to improve safety.”
Laudehr also said operators need to consider every component within a conveyor system rather than focusing solely on the belt.
“It might seem like a small component, but if you have an issue with it, you get unplanned downtime, and that could be quite costly,” she said.
“So, it’s important to make sure you’re monitoring all aspects.”
Artificial intelligence was another prominent discussion point across the conference. While its long-term impact is still developing, speakers suggested AI is already beginning to influence engineering workflows and equipment monitoring.
Laudehr expects greater integration of machine learning and smart systems over the next decade to simplify maintenance and operational processes.
Jones agreed AI would play an increasingly important role but said its full impact is yet to become clear.
“I think it is going to transform the way we do things and probably productivity in the long run,” he said.
Looking further ahead, Jones identified Australia’s growing critical minerals sector as one of the industry’s biggest opportunities.
“I think for Australia in particular, critical minerals are going to be such a big area,” he said.
“It’s going to need innovative new solutions.”
While technology featured heavily throughout the conference, the overarching message was that innovation is driven by collaboration.
The ICBMH continues to provide a platform for exchanging technical knowledge that can be applied across Australia’s bulk handling industry.
