RTI - Regional Mackay’s mining tech triumph 

For almost 20 years this Queensland company has been designing, developing and manufacturing elements, moisture and ash analysers from their headquarters in Mackay, in turn, creating world-firsts.

The picturesque Mackay Marina is home to Real Time Industries (RTI), also finalists in the Queensland Premier’s Export Awards 2022.

RTI have developed specialised analysers which reduce costs and improves productivity across a variety of sectors. Currently, the company has over 1,000 of its AllScan Elemental Analysers active in operations across the world.

Cross-sector applications

AllScan is used in coal mining and processing operations to help with ore sorting, stockpile management and grade control.

The equipment also helps to reduce emissions by controlling the grade of ore being used by power stations, and maximises efficiency in steel plants, again by monitoring the grade of coal or iron ore being fed into production streams.

AllScan can also be applied to other critical minerals, including copper, nickel and gold, for ore grade control, stockpile management, tailings and waste reduction.

Additional deployment

Since the development of AllScan, RTI has continued a dedicated program of research and development to apply the concept to wider industry types.

AllScan and MoistScan technology is now used in applications spanning food processing, biofuels, pulp, woodchip and bagasse.

Further, the company is actively scoping opportunities for tech adaptations to suit phosphates and cement extending their critical mineral reach.

Export demand

With a growing presence in both Latin America and Africa, RTI are currently completing the commission of 18 AllScan Analysers for NTPC power stations throughout India, and the shipment of MoistScan analysers to the Ukraine.

In Australia, RTI is established throughout the Bowen Basin, where its new n-Gen AllScan Analyser will soon be launched, while also holding a strong market presence in both Western Australia’s Pilbara, and New South Wales Hunter regions.

World first

The n-Gen AllScan Analyser is the first of its kind in the world.

It’s the first time in this kind of application that a neutron generator source is used instead of a man-made isotope source. Essentially that means the radiation required for the analysing process can be switched on and off as required to eliminate any exposure to radiation during maintenance.

Steady support

RTI CEO Praanesh Prasad said the business had enjoyed a long relationship with Trade and Investment Queensland (TIQ) - one that had helped RTI build and expand its export capabilities.

Mr Prasad said TIQ advisors throughout Queensland, Latin America, India, Africa and the Asia Pacific had been instrumental in assisting in moving into these markets.

RTI’s success in markets such as India and Latin America has been acknowledged recently with the business named as a finalist in the Premier of Queensland’s Export Awards 2022.

“Real Time Instruments is thrilled to have been named as finalists in the Premier of Queensland’s Export Awards 2022 and it is a testament to our team and the incredible work they do in the innovation and technology space,” Mr Prasad said.

“We are also grateful to the support RTI has had from TIQ over the years. In many ways they have been like an extension of our team.”