Perenti launches new technology-driven service business

Perenti Global Ltd has launched a “new capital light technology-driven service offering” available to the mining and resources industry aimed at providing digital product and technology services to the sectors.

idoba, a name that was co-created using human and artificial intelligence input, connecting the Greek word eidos (essence) and the Japanese term ‘ba’, meaning knowledge obilising space, is also expected to add value to Perenti’s current suite of global mining service offerings, the company said.

Mark Norwell, Managing Director and CEO of Perenti, said: “When looking to the future of the mining industry, it is evident that innovation and technology will play a much greater role in the way we do business and ultimately how we continue to generate value for all our stakeholders.

“With this in mind, it is with great pleasure that we launch idoba, our new technology-driven service business which will enable tomorrow by allowing us to respond to our clients’ evolving needs both today and into the future.”

In March 2019, Perenti published its 2025 Strategy, outlining five strategic pillars to guide business planning, shape the evolution of the company and develop the service offerings available to clients. The five pillars include operational excellence; strategic growth; organisational health; technology-driven future; and building financial capacity.

“Since its release, there has been significant progress made across all pillars, including building the foundations for a technology-driven services model,” the company said.

In July 2020, Perenti acquired Sandpit Innovation and Improvement Resources (a consultancy) and, in April 2021, Optika Solutions (a software product and solutions development company) was also added to the portfolio.

The total cost of these acquisitions was approximately A$13 million ($9.6 million) and includes a strong history of revenue generation, with a combined average annual revenue of circa-A$13 million over the past several years; broad and high-quality client base; significant talent with unique and deep experience across technology and innovation; and a platform for further growth leveraging existing digital systems and processes, Perenti said.

idoba is the culmination of Perenti’s strategic technological growth which, in addition to supporting the Perenti business, will provide digital product and technology service offerings to the mining industry with revenue and earnings generated from these services. Throughout the 2021 financial year, idoba performed to expectations, the company said.

Apart from contributing to Perenti’s revenue and earnings growth in the medium term, Perenti expects to leverage the innovation and technological skill sets of the idoba team to unlock productivity improvements across the company’s current suite of service offerings, the company said.

Sarah Coleman has been appointed Chief Executive Officer of idoba. Coleman is an experienced mining and management consulting executive with an impressive background that spans operations management and improvement, innovation and technology and asset management for a wide range of top-tier mining, oil and gas, manufacturing and health care clients, Perenti said.