Welcome to Pit to Pixel

This semester, you won't just learn about miningโ€”you'll become part of a team responsible for running a modern gold mine.

At Aurum Ridge Gold Mine, every decision is powered by data. Geologists use data to find valuable gold ore, Mining Operations teams use data to move material efficiently, and Safety teams use data to identify hazards and help ensure everyone goes home safe.

Throughout this program, you will work as a mining professional in training. Using real-world datasets, spreadsheets, dashboards, and digital tools, you will investigate challenges faced by the mining industry and learn how technology helps solve them.

You'll begin by learning how mining works, why safety is the highest priority on every mine site, and how data supports decision-making. As the semester progresses, you'll create a series of professional dashboards focused on:

  • Geology โ€“ Understanding where the gold is located
  • Mining Operations โ€“ Understanding how material is moved through the mine
  • Safety โ€“ Understanding hazards, incidents and risk management
  • Executive Decision Making โ€“ Bringing everything together into a dashboard for the Mine Manager and Board

Along the way, you'll develop valuable skills in:

  • Data analysis
  • Microsoft Excel
  • Dashboard design
  • Critical thinking
  • Teamwork and communication
  • Problem solving
  • Professional decision making

By the end of the program, you will present your findings to industry representatives and demonstrate how data can help create a safer, more efficient and more productive mining operation.

Welcome to the team. Your journey from Pit to Pixel starts now.

 
Pit to Pixel โ€” Aurum Ridge
Golden Resources Pty Ltd โ€” Aurum Ridge Gold Mine

The Mine Management Challenge

A real-world roleplay of high-tech gold mining. Data is your superpower.

20
Weeks of real-world challenge
4
Specialist phases to master
3
Expert dashboards to build
Your Mission

Move Gold from
Pit to Pixel

You've been hired by Golden Resources Pty Ltd to launch Aurum Ridge โ€” a cutting-edge gold mine just north of Kalgoorlie. Forget dusty hard hats. Your real tools are data and digital technology.

01
Phase 1
The Launchpad
Form your Business Unit, learn open pit mining, and get inducted at Drill Down Day.
Weeks 1โ€“3
02
Phase 2
Geoscience Expert
Map where the gold is. Classify ore grades. Build your first live data dashboard.
Weeks 4โ€“8
03
Phase 3
Operations Expert
Optimise truck cycles, analyse haul times, and design your operations dashboard.
Weeks 9โ€“12
04
Phase 4
Safety Expert
Combine all your data into an integrated dashboard. Prepare for the Board.
Weeks 13โ€“17
05
Phase 5
Town Hall
Present your Site Plan to the Aurum Ridge Board. This determines the Life of Mine.
Weeks 17โ€“20
Your Business Unit

Choose Your Role

Every Business Unit has four specialist roles. You'll work together like a real mining company โ€” each person owns a piece of the operation. Which one sounds like you?

๐ŸŽฏ
Project Manager
You keep the team on track. You run Stand Ups, manage timelines, and make sure the mine stays profitable and on schedule.
Leadership Agile Communication
๐ŸŽจ
UX/UI Designer
You design the dashboards. You decide how data looks and ensure your users โ€” the experts โ€” can read and act on information instantly.
Design UX Wireframing
๐Ÿ“Š
Data Analyst
You crunch the numbers. Formulas, pivot tables, charts โ€” you transform raw mine data into insights that drive decisions worth millions.
Excel Analysis Visualisation
๐Ÿ“‹
Minutes Recorder
You capture the decisions. Every Stand Up, every safety hazard, every team review โ€” your records are the mine's institutional memory.
Documentation Safety Reporting
The Specialists

Meet the Experts

You'll interview three real mining professionals across the semester. Their needs shape everything you build. Get to know them โ€” your dashboards exist to serve them.

๐Ÿชจ
Phase 2
The Geologist

Gold distribution in rock is erratic. A good find is rock containing more than 1 gram per tonne. The Geologist classifies every rock: high grade ore, medium grade ore, or waste โ€” and needs a live map to see it all.

Interview Questions to Explore
  • How do you tell the difference between ore grades?
  • What data do you need to make a call quickly?
  • What does your ideal dashboard look like?
๐Ÿš›
Phase 3
Operations Manager

Each truck carries 200 tonnes of ore โ€” within 10% of capacity. A cycle starts at the Pit Bench, loads, hauls to ROM or Waste, and returns. The Operations Manager needs to know exactly how efficient every cycle is.

Interview Questions to Explore
  • What's a good cycle time vs a bad one?
  • How do you spot a truck that's underperforming?
  • What KPIs matter most on your dashboard?
๐Ÿฆบ
Phase 4
Safety Officer

Mine site approval requires strict safety compliance โ€” during and after operations. The Safety Officer monitors hazards, tracks incidents, and ensures water quality and environmental standards are never compromised.

Interview Questions to Explore
  • What types of hazards appear most on a gold mine?
  • How do you use data to prevent incidents?
  • What does a safe shift look like in numbers?
Why This Matters

Your Superpowers

The future of mining isn't just built by people who like rocks. It's built by people like you. Skills in data are projected to grow by 30% this year alone.

๐ŸŽฎ
Love gaming?
Build the digital twin
Create virtual models of the entire mine operation using real data.
๐ŸŒ
Love the planet?
Track ESG in real time
Monitor environmental standards, water quality, and sustainability metrics.
๐Ÿ“ˆ
Love data?
Optimise billion-dollar systems
Every decimal point in a truck cycle time represents real money at scale.
๐Ÿค
Love people?
Design safer, smarter work
The best mines are run by teams who communicate and collaborate brilliantly.
๐Ÿ“–
Love storytelling?
Turn data into decisions
Board members need stories, not spreadsheets. You'll master both.
๐Ÿ”ฌ
Love science?
Decode what's underground
Geoscience, chemistry, and spatial analysis are all part of the work.
What You'll Build

Your Deliverables

Three graded submissions across the semester, each building on the last. By Week 18 you'll have a complete Site Plan and three live dashboards ready to present to the Board.

1
Due End of Week 8
Site Plan Proposal
  • Introduction to Aurum Ridge + site map
  • Three mining professional profiles
  • Truck haulage route map (Pit โ†’ ROM โ†’ Waste)
  • Geologist dashboard (Dashboard 1)
  • Hazard records + 360ยฐ team review
25%
2
Due End of Week 12
Process Evaluation
  • Operations manager profile + empathy map
  • Dashboard storyboard and prototype
  • Functioning operations dashboard (Dashboard 2)
  • Hazard records + 360ยฐ team review
35%
3
Due End of Week 18
Final Report & Presentation
  • Safety officer profile + safety dashboard (Dashboard 3)
  • Integrated dashboard for the Board
  • Town Hall 5-minute presentation
  • Individual summative portfolio
40%
๐Ÿ†

The Town Hall
Showcase

At the end of the semester, your Business Unit presents your complete Site Plan to the Aurum Ridge Board. Industry judges will assess whether Aurum Ridge has a future โ€” this is the Life of Mine decision.

WA Mining Club Representatives
CoRE Alumni
Industry Professionals
Your Mine Manager

Accept Your Mission

You've been briefed. Golden Resources Pty Ltd is counting on you.
Your teacher will provide the access code to unlock your induction details.

Enter your teacher's access code

๐ŸŽ‰ Mission Accepted!

Welcome to Golden Resources Pty Ltd. You are now an Aurum Ridge mining professional in training.

Read and sign your Team Charter & Professional Conduct Contract before your first Stand Up.

Pit to Pixel Program ยท Golden Resources Pty Ltd ยท Aurum Ridge Gold Mine

โš™๏ธ Mine Manager Dashboard

  • ProgramPit to Pixel โ€” Semester 2, 2026
  • Year LevelYear 9 Digital Technologies
  • Duration20 weeks
  • Business Units3โ€“4 students per BU
  • CurriculumAustralian Curriculum v9 โ€” Digital Technologies
  • Town Hall ShowcaseWeek 17โ€“20 (date TBC)
  • Hosted byCoRE Learning Foundation
  • Supportshona@corefoundation.com.au
Team Charter & Professional Conduct Contract
PIT TO PIXEL

Team Charter / Contract

Part 1  โ€”  Golden Resources Pty Ltd โ€“ Aurum Ridge Gold Mine
Business Unit Team Charter (Pit to Pixel Program โ€“ Year 9)

Project Context

Welcome to Golden Resources Pty Ltd, a leading gold mining company launching its next-generation operation: Aurum Ridge Gold Mine, located just north of Kalgoorlie.

This project forms part of the Pit to Pixel digital technologies curriculum, grounded in the CoRE Learning Model and the philosophy of #TheRealClassroom, where students work as real mining professionals solving real-world challenges using data, systems thinking, and teamwork.

Students operate as professional teams within Golden Resources, designing data-driven solutions to support safe, efficient, and responsible gold extraction.

Project Purpose

The purpose of the Aurum Ridge Gold Mine project is to:

  • Maximise gold recovery from the ore body with minimal dilution (PC #2 โ€“ Investigation 1)
  • Move material efficiently from pit to ROM stockpile (PC #3 โ€“ Investigation 2)
  • Operate safely and sustainably, meeting environmental and social expectations (PC #4 โ€“ Investigation 3)
  • Use digital dashboards to support evidence-based decision-making

Success is measured not only by technical accuracy but by collaboration, communication, and professional conduct.

Weekly Safety Responsibility

  • Record one safety observation each week
  • Record one hazard, near miss or positive safety action
  • Update the shared safety dataset
  • Review emerging safety trends

Mine Operating Model

Golden Resources operates through interconnected specialist functions. Each BU is responsible for its own dashboard/business, while contributing to a single integrated mine-wide view with an accompanying Site Plan.

Geoscience Business

Purpose: Digitally map the ore body ยท Identify gold-rich zones ยท Reduce dilution by avoiding waste rock

Key Focus Areas: Ore vs waste classification ยท Grade distribution and variability ยท Confidence in geological data

Typical Data Inputs: Drill hole data ยท Assay (g/t) results ยท Ore boundaries

Mining Operations Business

Purpose: Optimise extraction and truck movement ยท Ensure material moves to the correct destination ยท Improve productivity and efficiency

Key Focus Areas: Truck and loader productivity ยท Ore and waste movement tracking

Typical Data Inputs: Tonnage moved ยท Truck cycles and haul distances ยท Dig locations ยท ROM stockpile balances

ESG (Environmental, Social & Governance) Business

Purpose: Act as the conscience of the mine ยท Ensure operations are safe, compliant, and sustainable

Key Focus Areas: Identify hazards before incidents occur ยท Analyse incidents, near misses and safety observations

Typical Data Inputs: Hazards ยท Near Misses ยท Incidents/illness

Team Structure & Roles

Each Business Unit must assign the following professional roles. One student may hold more than one role in small teams, but all responsibilities must be covered and can be changed monthly.

Project ManagerOversees timelines and investigation delivery. Coordinates across BUs. Acts as primary contact with the Mine Manager.
UX / UI DesignerDesigns dashboard layout and user experience. Ensures clarity, usability, and visual impact.
Data AnalystSources, cleans, and analyses data. Builds charts, metrics, and insights. Ensures accuracy and relevance.
Minutes RecorderDocuments meetings, decisions, and actions. Tracks progress and accountability. Supports 360 reviews.

Deliverables

  • Three interactive dashboards: Geoscience ยท Mining Operations ยท Safety
  • One integrated dashboard combining all three businesses (Spreadsheets, Google Looker, or Power BI)
  • A Site Plan describing purpose, objectives, outcomes, how it was made, and data processes

Investigations & Milestones

  • PC #1 โ€“ Launchpad: Team formation, role allocation, project planning
  • PC #2 โ€“ Investigation 1: Ore quality and dilution control (Geoscience)
  • PC #3 โ€“ Investigation 2: Pit to ROM material movement (Mining Operations)
  • PC #4 โ€“ Investigation 3: Keeping workers safe (Safety)
  • PC #5 โ€“ Town Hall Presentation: Final pitch to the Golden Resources Board

Professional Behaviours & Ways of Working

All team members commit to: Respectful communication ยท Shared accountability ยท Evidence-based decision-making ยท Constructive feedback ยท Safe and ethical thinking

This project mirrors real industry expectations โ€” how you work matters as much as what you produce.

Reflection & Personal Growth

All students will complete TAG reflections (Tell ยท Ask ยท Give), 360-degree reviews, and reflections on emotional intelligence, teamwork, leadership, and enterprising skills.

Golden Resources values people skills as highly as technical skills.

Part 2 โ€” Student Charter & Professional Conduct Contract

Golden Resources Pty Ltd | Pit to Pixel Program (Year 9)

Welcome, Mining Professionals

You are now part of Golden Resources Pty Ltd, working on the launch of the Aurum Ridge Gold Mine. In this project, you are not students โ€” you are mining professionals in training. This charter sets clear expectations for how you work, communicate, and conduct yourselves as part of a real-world industry team.

Our Professional Purpose

As a member of the Aurum Ridge team, I commit to:

  • Using data and digital technologies to support smart decision-making
  • Helping maximise gold recovery with minimal dilution
  • Supporting safe, efficient movement of material from pit to ROM
  • Respecting environmental, social, and cultural responsibilities
  • Working collaboratively across Geoscience, Mining Operations, and ESG

How I Agree to Work

  • Be prepared, on time, and actively involved
  • Complete my assigned role responsibilities
  • Communicate respectfully with all team members
  • Listen to different ideas and perspectives
  • Ask for help when needed and offer help when others need it
  • Use feedback to improve my work

Professional Behaviour Expectations

  • Act with integrity and honesty
  • Use appropriate professional language and tone
  • Stay on task during work time
  • Represent Golden Resources positively in class and at the Town Hall
  • Treat the Mine Manager (Teacher) and Board members (Industry) with respect

Data, Ethics & Responsibility

  • Use data accurately and ethically
  • Do not manipulate or misrepresent data to make results look better
  • Respect environmental limits and safety standards
  • Consider the impact of decisions on people, land, and water

Teamwork & Emotional Intelligence

  • Manage my emotions in a professional way
  • Resolve conflict respectfully
  • Accept responsibility for my actions
  • Reflect honestly during TAG and 360 reviews
  • Support a positive and inclusive team culture

Commitment to Growth

I commit to developing: Problem-solving skills ยท Digital and data literacy ยท Communication and collaboration skills ยท Leadership and enterprising skills

I understand that how I work matters as much as what I produce.

Final Commitment

By signing below, I agree to uphold this charter and conduct myself as a professional member of the Aurum Ridge mining team throughout the Pit to Pixel project.

Student Name
Role(s)
Business Unit Name
Date
Signature
ยฉ 2025 CoRE Learning Foundation  ยท  Pit to Pixel: The Mine Management Challenge  ยท  Golden Resources Pty Ltd  ยท  Aurum Ridge Gold Mine
CoRE Learning Foundation ยท Pit to Pixel: The Mine Management Challenge
Year 9 Digital Technologies ยท Aurum Ridge Gold Mine ยท Kalgoorlie, WA
ยฉ 2025 CoRE Learning Foundation

Drill Down Day Workshop

Drill Down Day is your official induction into Aurum Ridge Gold Mine. Working alongside industry professionals, you will explore how a modern mine operates, learn about the roles of geologists, mining operations teams, and safety specialists, and discover how data is used to make important decisions every day. Through hands-on activities, team challenges, and real-world problem solving, you will begin your journey from Pit to Pixel and gain the knowledge needed to tackle the semester-long Mine Management Challenge. Get ready to ask questions, work as a team, and experience the technology, data, and people that help power one of Western Australia's most important industries.

Excel Basics

What is Excel?

Microsoft Excel is a spreadsheet program used to organise, analyse and visualise data. In the mining industry, Excel is commonly used to track production, monitor safety, analyse geology data and support decision-making.

In Pit to Pixel, you will use Excel to create dashboards for Geology, Mining Operations and Safety.

Excel Tips

  • Save regularly
  • Check formulas carefully
  • Keep headings clear
  • Use charts to tell a story
  • Ask: "What decision could someone make using this data?"

Remember: Data is only useful if it helps someone make a better decision.

Town Hall Showcase

The Town Hall Showcase is the exciting final event of the Pit to Pixel program. After weeks of working as mining professionals in training, your team will present its findings to the Aurum Ridge Gold Mine Board. This is your opportunity to demonstrate everything you have learned about mining, safety, data analysis, and decision-making. Each team will deliver a professional presentation to teachers, industry volunteers, and invited guests acting as the Aurum Ridge Board of Directors. Teams will be assessed on their ability to interpret data, communicate insights, justify recommendations, and work collaboratively. The Town Hall Showcase is more than a presentationโ€”it is an opportunity to demonstrate the skills used by real mining professionals every day.