SRK Consulting recognises that innovation thrives on the exchange of ideas and advocates for an open environment where experts can apply a collective approach to problem-solving.
One way that SRK achieves this is by holding biannual ‘Innovation Workshops’ to encourage thought leaders to step outside the box and stimulate creativity by breaking away from traditional workspaces.
The internal workshops serve as a meeting point for SRK’s engineers and scientists to share their ideas with like-minded creators, gather insights they otherwise might not have had and explore novel solutions to some of the mining industry’s most complex challenges.
Tracey Drew, Principal Consultant and head of Data Services at SRK Australia, believes that the company’s dedication to hosting these workshops supports the notion that the best ideas are often born from diverse minds working together.
While many of us are generating or improving tools and applications to aid our work, we may not often be aware of others working on similar initiatives and I think that this lack of collaborative effort can restrict the evolution of many ideas," she said.
If an employee has an idea that they believe is great but they don’t have the time or money to explore it further, they are encouraged to apply to attend the workshop where they are given the opportunity to put their regular day-to-day work tasks aside and really focus their efforts on seeing their idea come to life.
The decision to commit time and funding to this initiative was sparked at a global SRK Practice Leaders meeting in 2015, where members highlighted the value of harnessing innovation in the consulting group.
The outcomes of innovation workshops held previously serve as a testament to the power of collaboration in fuelling innovation. We've seen first-hand how they spark new ideas, improve existing tools, and inspire our team to push the boundaries of what's possible," said Tracey.
One such example of the power of these workshops is the software package developed by tailings consultant Jonathon Eldridge and his team at SRK Australia. Presented at the latest innovation workshop in 2023, this digital tool assists in the easier interpretation of in situ geotechnical testing, offering significant value to SRK’s clients. Jonathon's innovation was one of three ideas that received internal funding to develop and bring to fruition.
The workshop felt like a team effort – everyone was lending a helping hand to the next person, brainstorming better ways to do things and providing a great opportunity to showcase what we’ve been working on," Jonathon commented. "It was encouraging to see the interest that my project received."
Other projects that received funding included the creation of an integrated Valuation Platform (database and custom browser front end) allowing complex, multiple method valuations to be undertaken entirely outside of spreadsheets, and the creation of a unified global logging system for efficient and cost-effective geotechnical logging for quality data capturing. These were led by Mat Davies and Chris Mears, respectively.
These workshops are more than just a forum for discussion; we’re not only sharing ideas, we are investing in them," said Carl Murray, Managing Director of SRK Australasia.
Carl was one of the six panel members to determine which projects would receive further funding.
Another key outcome of the workshops is all the possibilities for multidisciplinary collaboration. One such scenario saw the merging of skills between experts in tailings, geophysics, rock engineering, and groundwater modelling to develop tools for seepage analysis. This has effectively optimised clients’ construction costs while mitigating environmental damage and ensuring site stability.
In 2024, SRK is planning several research and development projects aimed at creating advanced tools to further improve efficiency, adaptability, risk reduction, and data leveraging.
The group’s commitment to innovation doesn't stop within the business. SRK actively engages with the wider professional community, sharing thought-provoking insights and contributing to advancements in the mining field.
This dedication to knowledge sharing enhances mining practices and bolsters our ability to address challenges, benefiting our clients and the broader industry," said Tracey. "We know that innovation is a journey, not a destination; it is exciting to see the progress we have made on this path so far, and it’s even more exciting to think about the potential ideas sure to be born at future workshops," she concluded.
