As we continue to expand, so does the incredible support from our Cave Mining Forum Sponsors committed to advancing the field of cave mining. The growth of CMF depends on partners who believe in collaboration, education, and shared expertise. Their support allows the forum to remain open, engaging, and globally connected. This month, we’re excited to highlight all of our Cave Mining Forum sponsors and partners helping us strengthen the community: SRK Consulting, Pan American Silver, BHP, Ideon Technologies, Datarock Pty Ltd, Rio Tinto, and Sintela. Each organization brings a unique focus and their involvement directly benefits our members.
Why Sponsorship Matters
Our Cave Mining Forum sponsors play a vital role. The forum was built to connect professionals, students, and researchers who share a passion for cave mining, and keeping the platform accessible requires ongoing support. Sponsors help us host events, maintain resources, and continue offering free membership for students and affordable tiers for professionals. They also show leadership—these are the companies driving industry standards, funding innovation, and mentoring the next generation. Their backing ensures that CMF remains a credible space where conversations lead to real-world progress.
Learn more about sponsorship opportunities on the CMF Sponsorship page.
SRK Consulting
Few names carry as much weight in mining as SRK Consulting. With more than forty-five years of international experience, SRK is recognized for its technical excellence across exploration, design, and operations. The firm is particularly respected for its geotechnical and cave mining expertise, having contributed to countless feasibility studies and block cave designs around the world. SRK’s involvement as a Cave Mining Forum sponsor reinforces its commitment to knowledge exchange and professional collaboration. Many of CMF’s founding members have long-standing connections to SRK, making this partnership a natural fit. For members, it means continued access to deep technical expertise and case studies that have shaped some of the world’s most successful underground mines.
Pan American Silver
Pan American Silver operates across the Americas and has earned a reputation for operational discipline, responsible mining, and technological innovation. The company’s underground experience positions it as a valuable contributor to the CMF network. Pan American Silver’s sponsorship strengthens the link between academic research and field practice, encouraging open conversations about operational challenges and continuous improvement. Their involvement signals a broader industry shift toward data-driven decision-making and sustainable development. For CMF members, it also provides the opportunity to connect with professionals working on active operations that exemplify modern best practices.
BHP
BHP is one of the largest and most respected mining companies globally, operating in over ninety locations and leading the development of critical minerals essential to the energy transition. The company’s long history with caving methods, particularly in copper and nickel, adds immense value to CMF’s technical discussions. As a Cave Mining Forum sponsor, BHP’s participation goes beyond financial support—it represents a shared belief in continuous learning and safety innovation. Through their engagement, members gain access to case studies, operational insights, and the opportunity to engage with one of the industry’s most forward-thinking teams. BHP’s contribution helps CMF continue its mission of uniting knowledge across continents.
Ideon Technologies
Based in Vancouver, Ideon Technologies is redefining subsurface imaging through cosmic-ray muon tomography. Their proprietary technology allows mining companies to visualize ore bodies and geological structures with unprecedented precision, improving resource definition and reducing uncertainty in mine planning. As a Cave Mining Forum sponsor, Ideon brings fresh perspective and technological depth. Their work demonstrates how physics, data analytics, and imaging science can accelerate ore discovery and optimize cave design. CMF members benefit from Ideon’s presence through exposure to new geophysical methods that bridge the gap between exploration and production. This partnership reflects the Forum’s ongoing focus on integrating cutting-edge technology into practical mining applications.
Datarock Pty Ltd
Datarock Pty Ltd represents the digital future of geology. Using artificial intelligence and computer vision, the company automates the process of geological logging and core analysis, improving both accuracy and speed. By joining CMF as a Cave Mining Forum sponsor, Datarock demonstrates how machine learning can transform the way data is captured and interpreted in mining operations. For CMF members, Datarock’s involvement provides access to insights at the intersection of data science and geoscience—an area that continues to reshape cave mining practices worldwide. Their support also emphasizes the importance of innovation in maintaining productivity, quality control, and safety across the industry.
Rio Tinto
Rio Tinto is synonymous with large-scale mining and technical innovation. With a history spanning nearly 150 years, the company has consistently pioneered advancements in block caving and mass mining operations. Rio Tinto’s mines, such as those in the copper and diamond sectors, have set global benchmarks for automation, safety, and production efficiency. By becoming a Cave Mining Forum sponsor, Rio Tinto reinforces its long-standing tradition of collaboration with the broader mining community. Their participation connects CMF members with leaders who have firsthand experience managing complex caving operations at a global scale. For students, consultants, and engineers alike, Rio Tinto’s sponsorship opens the door to practical insights drawn from some of the world’s most sophisticated underground mines.
Sintela
Sintela is an innovator in distributed fibre-optic sensing technology, offering real-time monitoring solutions for seismic activity, ground movement, and structural health. Originally developed for telecommunications and energy networks, their technology now plays a critical role in underground mining. Sintela contributes expertise that supports operational safety and environmental management. Their systems allow operators to detect anomalies early, optimize response times, and maintain the stability of underground infrastructure. For CMF members, Sintela’s involvement underscores the growing relationship between mining and advanced sensing technologies, where precision monitoring translates directly into safer, more efficient operations.
What Sponsorship Means for CMF Members
Each sponsor’s contribution enhances CMF’s ability to serve its community. Their support allows CMF to remain an independent, non-profit initiative dedicated to open collaboration. It funds student memberships, online resources, and ongoing technical discussions, ensuring every participant, from an undergraduate to a senior consultant, has access to reliable and relevant information. Sponsorship also helps CMF invest in platform improvements, expand its resource library, and organize member-driven events. Most importantly, it ensures that conversations remain professional, constructive, and grounded in real industry experience.
Read more about CMF’s purpose and vision on our website.
A Network of Shared Expertise
Each of these sponsors brings a different strength to the Cave Mining Forum. SRK contributes a consulting and research foundation. Pan American Silver and BHP bring operational expertise. Ideon and Datarock provide next-generation digital tools. Rio Tinto adds the perspective of a global mining leader, while Sintela delivers the sensing technology that keeps operations safe and connected. Together, they form an ecosystem of experience and innovation. This mix of perspectives helps CMF achieve its broader goal: to connect professionals across sectors and facilitate knowledge transfer that benefits the entire cave mining industry.
The Educational Impact
One of the greatest outcomes of sponsorship is education. Because of sponsor contributions, CMF can continue offering free membership to students and low-cost access for early-career professionals. This allows emerging talent to participate in discussions, attend webinars, and access technical papers without financial barriers. It also strengthens the mentoring culture that defines CMF, connecting those who are still learning with those who have decades of practical experience. Sponsors play a direct role in creating these learning opportunities and ensuring the next generation of engineers, geologists, and researchers enters the field well prepared.
earn about CMF’s educational initiatives in our blog post, How Sponsorships Help Keep the Forum Accessible.
The Future of Collaboration
Looking ahead, CMF is committed to expanding its partnerships and introducing new ways for sponsors and members to engage. The support from SRK, Pan American Silver, BHP, Ideon Technologies, Datarock Pty Ltd, Rio Tinto, and Sintela marks an important milestone in that journey. Their collective involvement demonstrates that when the industry collaborates, progress accelerates. For CMF members, it means continued access to the best resources, expertise, and opportunities available in the world of cave mining.
Get Involved
Whether you represent a company looking to partner with CMF or an individual professional eager to contribute, there are many ways to get involved. Visit the Sponsorship page to explore partnership opportunities, or learn about membership tiers on the Membership page. Every contribution—corporate or individual—helps ensure CMF remains a valuable, accessible community for all cave mining professionals.
