Operators with a validated challenge
Ready to test a solution in their own environment with clear measures of success.
Service 03 / Solution matching
The right technology. The right site. The right people.
We connect validated industry challenges with emerging technologies — then design the introductions, pilots, funding and partnerships that let them prove themselves in the field.
- Starts with
- A validated challenge and a credible solution
- Indicative timing
- 3–6 months to a field pilot
- You leave with
- An evaluated pilot and an adoption decision
Priority-led applications
Apply this service where it matters.
Explore proposed focus-area applications, evidence measures and safeguards. New engagements remain subject to an agreed scope and confirmed capacity.
See the proposed delivery gatesWhy it matters
Good matches still fail at the first meeting.
Operators and innovators often want the same outcome but speak different languages.
Without clear success criteria, agreed risk-sharing and the right test environment, promising pilots stall or never start. CEMI acts as a neutral broker: aligning expectations, designing fair pilots and assembling the funding and partners needed to get a technology into the field.
Who it’s for
Built for the people who move mining forward.
Technology developers
With a mining-relevant solution that needs a site, a partner and credible field evidence.
Researchers & test facilities
Contributing expertise, independent evaluation or a controlled environment for demonstration.
How it works
5 stages. A clear decision at each.
Every stage ends with a deliverable and a decision gate, so you always know what you have and what happens next.
- Stage 01Weeks 1–2
Fit assessment
Compare the challenge requirements with the solution’s capability and identify any gaps.
- Requirement-by-requirement fit review
- Integration, safety and regulatory gaps
- Readiness for an operating environment
- Deliverable
- Fit & gap assessment
- Decision gate
- Is the match strong enough to introduce?
- Stage 02Weeks 2–4
Introduction & alignment
Facilitate a structured introduction and align on objectives, roles and how success will be judged.
- Confidentiality in place before detail is shared
- Joint objectives and success criteria
- Roles, decision-makers and timelines
- Deliverable
- Alignment summary
- Decision gate
- Do both sides agree on what success looks like?
- Stage 03Weeks 4–8
Pilot design
Design a fair, measurable demonstration that answers the questions the operator needs answered.
- Test plan, location and measurement
- Safety, permitting and site requirements
- Budget, IP and commercial terms
- Deliverable
- Pilot charter with go / no-go criteria
- Decision gate
- Is the pilot designed to produce a decision?
- Stage 04Weeks 6–12
Funding & consortium
Assemble the co-funding, research partners and test facilities needed to de-risk the pilot.
- Identify public and private co-funding
- Bring in research and evaluation partners
- Prepare applications and agreements
- Deliverable
- Funding plan & partner agreements
- Decision gate
- Are resources secured for the full pilot?
- Stage 05Months 3–6+
Demonstrate & evaluate
Coordinate the demonstration in the field and evaluate the results against the agreed criteria.
- Pilot coordination and progress reviews
- Independent performance evaluation
- Lessons learned and scale-up options
- Deliverable
- Evaluation report & adoption decision
- Decision gate
- Adopt, iterate, or move to commercialization support.
What you receive
Practical outputs. Not shelf reports.
Fit & gap assessment
Where the solution meets the need — and where it does not yet.
Pilot charter
Scope, measures and go / no-go criteria agreed by all parties.
Funding plan
The co-funding and partners that share the risk of a first deployment.
Evaluation report
Independent evidence an operator can use to make an adoption decision.
What we work towards
- Faster path from introduction to field trial
- Pilots designed to produce a decision, not just data
- Shared risk through co-funding and partnership
- Credible evidence for wider adoption
Ways to work with us
Engagement that fits the need.
Facilitated introduction
A structured, confidential introduction with agreed objectives and next steps.
- Format
- Short, light-touch
- Best for
- A strong, obvious fit
Managed pilot
CEMI designs and coordinates the pilot and evaluates it against agreed criteria.
- Format
- Single site, 3–6 months
- Best for
- Proving a solution in the field
Collaborative project
A consortium with operators, developers, researchers and co-funders sharing the risk.
- Format
- Multi-party, funded
- Best for
- Higher-risk or industry-wide solutions
How we measure progress
What success looks like.
- Introductions progressing to pilots
- Pilots meeting agreed success criteria
- Time from introduction to field trial
- Co-funding leveraged per project
Before the first conversation
What to bring.
- The challenge brief or problem statement
- The solution and evidence you have today
- Site, safety and integration constraints
- Budget and decision-making timeline
Common questions
Who does CEMI represent in a match?
Neither side exclusively. We act as a neutral broker so the pilot is fair to the operator and the innovator.
Can you help find funding?
Yes. We help identify suitable co-funding programs and research partners and support the preparation of applications.
What if the pilot does not succeed?
Clear go / no-go criteria mean an unsuccessful pilot still produces a decision and lessons — and may point to a better match.
Our services