A Perth-based accelerator specifically for the energy & natural resources sector has seen the eight participating startups win contracts valued at a cumulative $400,000 at the end of the 12-week program, with an automated fix for South32’s conveyor belts among them.

Hosted by KPMG Australia’s Perth office, the Energise accelerator comes at an opportune time for the resource giants based there, as fallen commodity prices demand innovation and efficiencies.

A total of 10 agreements have already been generated for the Energise startups with major players including FMG, BHP, Laing O’Rourke, Woodside and South32.

These contracts, cumulatively valued at over $400,000, will see the startup technologies and innovations tested, trialled and deployed in coming months, with more pilot projects still in negotiations.

BHP spin-off South32 has inked two deals. In one, Sandpit Innovation will customise its ‘Spidler’ technology for the company’s bauxite operation in WA’s southwest.

The Spidler, as explained by South32’s head of planning and development for Australia, David Wilson, sits on an operating conveyor belt and ‘changes out’ its idlers without the need to pause operations.

Read more: A conveyor belt that repairs itself among ideas funded by KPMG Perth accelerator