Turning the Pilbara's data into Perth's decisions
We build data analytics platforms for Perth's mining, oil and gas and resources companies. From IoT sensor streams and geological databases to production metrics and environmental monitoring — structured, visualised and actionable.
Mining production analytics at scale
A single open-pit iron ore mine in the Pilbara generates terabytes of data every day — haul truck telemetry, drill and blast patterns, crusher throughput, stockpile grades, rail loading rates and ship scheduling data. Perth-based mining companies need analytics platforms that can ingest, process and present this data in ways that support operational decisions and strategic planning.
Digital Nachos builds production analytics systems that aggregate data from mine planning software, fleet management systems, process historians and ERP platforms into unified dashboards. Our analytics go beyond simple reporting — we build models that identify bottlenecks in the mine-to-port value chain, quantify the production impact of equipment downtime and forecast throughput based on geological and operational variables.
For companies operating multiple mines — as BHP, Rio Tinto and Fortescue do across the Pilbara — we build portfolio-level analytics that enable comparison across operations, normalised for ore hardness, haul distance and other site-specific factors. This allows Perth-based technical services teams to identify best practices at one site and apply them across the fleet.
IoT sensor data and real-time monitoring
The Internet of Things has transformed the volume and velocity of data available to Perth resources companies. Vibration sensors on conveyor bearings, temperature probes in processing plants, water level monitors in tailings dams, air quality sensors around blast zones — each generates a continuous stream of time-series data that needs to be collected, stored and analysed.
We build IoT analytics platforms that handle the specific challenges of industrial sensor data. These include dealing with irregular sampling intervals, managing sensor dropouts and calibration drift, handling the sheer volume of high-frequency time-series data and implementing edge computing strategies that reduce the amount of raw data transmitted over expensive satellite links from remote sites.
Our platforms integrate with common IoT middleware used in the Perth resources sector, including OSIsoft PI, Azure IoT Hub, AWS IoT Core and platform-specific solutions from equipment manufacturers. We build anomaly detection algorithms that identify unusual sensor readings before they escalate into equipment failures or safety incidents — providing early warning to maintenance and operations teams in Perth.
For environmental monitoring specifically, we build dashboards that track dust levels, noise, water quality and biodiversity indicators against regulatory thresholds and licence conditions. These systems generate automated alerts when conditions approach limits and produce the reports required by the WA Department of Water and Environmental Regulation.
Geological data management and analysis
Perth is home to more geologists per capita than almost anywhere on earth. The geological consulting firms, exploration companies and mining houses headquartered in the city generate enormous quantities of geological data — drill hole databases, assay results, geophysical surveys, geological models and resource estimates. Managing and analysing this data effectively is fundamental to the resources sector's decision-making.
We build analytics tools that complement the specialist geological software packages already in use — Leapfrog, Vulcan, Datamine, Micromine and others. Our platforms provide the data infrastructure layer that sits around these tools, handling data validation, version control, access management and integration with corporate reporting systems.
Specific capabilities include drill hole database management with quality assurance and quality control (QAQC) analytics, grade control reconciliation between geological models and actual production, and resource estimation validation dashboards. We also build exploration data rooms for companies running drill programmes, providing secure access for external consultants and joint venture partners to review geological data and interpretations.
For companies reporting mineral resources and reserves under the JORC Code, our analytics platforms provide the data audit trails and transparency that competent persons require to sign off on public resource statements.
ESG and environmental data analytics
Environmental, social and governance reporting has moved from a peripheral communications exercise to a core business function for Perth resources companies. Investors, regulators and communities demand transparent, data-backed disclosures on carbon emissions, water usage, biodiversity impacts, community investment and workforce safety.
We build ESG analytics platforms that automate the collection and calculation of reporting metrics. Carbon emissions calculations draw on fuel consumption data, electricity usage, process emissions and land-use change data — aggregated from multiple source systems and calculated according to the National Greenhouse and Energy Reporting (NGER) scheme methodology or the Greenhouse Gas Protocol.
Water balance analytics are particularly important for WA mining operations, many of which operate in arid environments with strict water licence conditions. Our platforms track water extraction, usage, recycling and discharge across operations, providing the data needed for water accounting reports and licence compliance submissions.
For companies reporting against the TCFD framework or the new ISSB sustainability standards, we build scenario analysis tools that model the financial impact of climate-related risks — water scarcity, carbon pricing, extreme weather events — on the company's operations and asset values. These tools support the strategic planning discussions happening in Perth boardrooms.
Building a data culture in Perth organisations
Technology alone does not deliver analytics value. Perth resources companies often have vast quantities of data locked in departmental silos — geology has its databases, mining operations has its fleet data, finance has its cost models, and safety has its incident records. Bringing these together requires not just technical integration but organisational change.
Digital Nachos works with Perth clients to establish data governance frameworks, define data ownership and quality standards, and build the self-service analytics capabilities that reduce dependence on specialist data teams. We train operational staff to build their own reports and dashboards, shifting analytics from a centralised bottleneck to a distributed capability.
We also help companies evaluate and implement the data platforms that underpin modern analytics. This includes cloud data warehouses, data lake architectures, ETL/ELT pipelines and business intelligence tools. Our recommendations are technology-agnostic — we assess the specific requirements, existing technology landscape and internal capabilities of each Perth organisation before recommending an architecture.
For companies at the beginning of their analytics journey, we offer discovery workshops that identify the highest-value analytics use cases and develop a prioritised roadmap. This ensures that early investments deliver visible returns, building the organisational support needed for longer-term data transformation.
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