Rio Tinto and iGATE Corporation, the first integrated Technology and Operations (iTOPS) company, which provides business outcomes-based solutions under the brand iGATE Patni, have announced an innovation partnership that will exclusively focus on creating next generation technologies, which Rio Tinto believes will contribute to the global growth and development of its Mine of the Future program. The two companies believe this to be a first-of-its-kind innovation partnership in the mining industry where Rio Tinto will leverage iGATE Patni’s technical capabilities to accelerate technologies globally in the mining industry.

Rio Tinto expects to spend approximately $60-80 million over the next five years proportional to the outcomes delivered out of the partnership. iGATE Patni’s share of the deal is to provide engineering research and development services, including industrial automation and control, software and embedded design and development expertise to Rio Tinto to facilitate the Mine of the Future program. The partnership envisions “demonstrating improvements to mining processes that include unprecedented levels in automation, and remote operations that will revolutionise the way mining has been conducted so far.” Rio Tinto has just inaugurated a strategic state-of-the-art Innovation Centre in iGATE Patni’s facility in Pune. Managed by iGATE Patni, the Rio Tinto Innovation Centre (RTIC) will “play a crucial role in facilitating and leveraging next generation automated technologies for mining operations.” The innovation centre will have about 300 skilled engineers focusing on disciplines such as image processing, advanced data mining and analytics, automation and control systems, human factors design and logistics. RTIC will build on the work of Rio Tinto’s established Centres of Excellence in Australia, Canada and the UK “to deliver the technologies they have developed to Rio Tinto operations across the globe.”

Rio Tinto Head of Innovation, John McGagh; Rio Tinto India Managing Director Nik Senapati, iGATE Patni Chief Executive Officer Phaneesh Murthy; and iGATE Patni Executive Vice President and Head of Product Engineering Services, Satish Joshi presided over an inauguration ceremony in Pune to officially open the RTIC. Phaneesh Murthy said: “We are truly delighted that Rio Tinto has chosen iGATE Patni as its exclusive partner for this landmark innovation engagement.I am particularly pleased that our capabilities in product engineering services have gained increased acceptance among global companies to bring about innovation in their business and this partnership is an important step in our journey to deliver high-impact business outcomes. With Rio Tinto and iGATE Patni having invested close to $3 million in the infrastructure for the RTIC, we are geared to partnering with Rio Tinto in achieving its vision of providing unprecedented automation in mining.” John McGagh said “iGATE Patni’s credentials and business capability fits our need for a strong outcomes-driven innovation partner. RTIC will allow us to take a specific technology developed at our Centres of Excellence, such as the mine automation system currently in use at our Pilbara iron ore operations in Western Australia, and adapt it for broader application across our network of mines.”