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Developing Technology for a People Business: Safecrete’s Origin Story
In underground mining, “more data” isn’t the goal. Better decisions are.
In this episode, Brett is joined by Safecrete Technology’s Cameron Baker (Founding CEO) and John Arundell (CTO) to unpack how they’re building a next-generation IoT and data analytics platform for mining — starting with high-value, niche use cases like shotcrete curing and paste backfill, then scaling into software-led decision tools.
Cameron shares how his path from the military to global safety tech shaped the way he leads early-stage ventures, and why listening (properly listening) is the skill he wishes he’d mastered sooner. John explains his transition from aerospace into mining, what he learned working alongside Palantir on industrial IoT, and why mining’s relationship-driven culture has been a surprisingly good fit.
Safecrete’s approach is refreshingly practical: use hardware to get into the operation, then let the software and analytics deliver the real leverage — real-time visibility for geotechs, geologists, and operations teams who need to make calls faster, safer, and with less guesswork.
The conversation covers how better visibility can support safe early re-entry after shotcrete application, and how improved data around paste backfill can help operations make higher-confidence decisions.
Building a startup in a complex, trust-based industry comes with its own challenges. The episode dives into the realities of getting traction (hint: “build it and they will come” isn’t a strategy), the importance of partnerships, and the discipline required to stay on-mission without chasing every shiny opportunity.
Cameron reflects on navigating the Global Financial Crisis in Chicago when cashflow pressure hit hard, and how problem-solving with the right board support helped keep the business standing. John shares one of the toughest leadership lessons from the corporate world — managing redundancies — and why hard seasons are often where leadership skills are actually forged.
The episode wraps with a few memorable stories, including baboons destroying a rental car in Cape Town, and a trip to Mongolia to visit Oyu Tolgoi (plus a brave attempt at fermented horse milk).
If you’re building in mining, resources, or industrial tech — or you’re simply curious about what it takes to modernise a legacy industry — this one’s a grounded look at innovation that’s driven by people, trust, and execution.
00:00 Introduction
02:42 Getting Into Mining
05:57 Journey to Safecrete
10:12 What Safecrete Does
14:14 Startup Challenges
18:53 Advice for Starting Out
24:15 Difficult Moments & Lessons
27:48 The First 10 Months
31:01 Memorable Stories
Safecrete Technology website: https://www.safecretetech.com/
John Arundell LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-arundell/
Cameron Baker LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cameron-baker-851b981aa/
For those looking to explore the intricacies of business succession planning, Brett and his team are available for further consultation.
Find the full episode with Safecrete Technology's Cameron Baker and John Arundell here: https://www.resourcesunearthed.com.au/resourceful-podcasts/
Resources Unearthed Website: https://www.resourcesunearthed.com.au/
View all episodes
By Resources UnearthedIn underground mining, “more data” isn’t the goal. Better decisions are.
In this episode, Brett is joined by Safecrete Technology’s Cameron Baker (Founding CEO) and John Arundell (CTO) to unpack how they’re building a next-generation IoT and data analytics platform for mining — starting with high-value, niche use cases like shotcrete curing and paste backfill, then scaling into software-led decision tools.
Cameron shares how his path from the military to global safety tech shaped the way he leads early-stage ventures, and why listening (properly listening) is the skill he wishes he’d mastered sooner. John explains his transition from aerospace into mining, what he learned working alongside Palantir on industrial IoT, and why mining’s relationship-driven culture has been a surprisingly good fit.
Safecrete’s approach is refreshingly practical: use hardware to get into the operation, then let the software and analytics deliver the real leverage — real-time visibility for geotechs, geologists, and operations teams who need to make calls faster, safer, and with less guesswork.
The conversation covers how better visibility can support safe early re-entry after shotcrete application, and how improved data around paste backfill can help operations make higher-confidence decisions.
Building a startup in a complex, trust-based industry comes with its own challenges. The episode dives into the realities of getting traction (hint: “build it and they will come” isn’t a strategy), the importance of partnerships, and the discipline required to stay on-mission without chasing every shiny opportunity.
Cameron reflects on navigating the Global Financial Crisis in Chicago when cashflow pressure hit hard, and how problem-solving with the right board support helped keep the business standing. John shares one of the toughest leadership lessons from the corporate world — managing redundancies — and why hard seasons are often where leadership skills are actually forged.
The episode wraps with a few memorable stories, including baboons destroying a rental car in Cape Town, and a trip to Mongolia to visit Oyu Tolgoi (plus a brave attempt at fermented horse milk).
If you’re building in mining, resources, or industrial tech — or you’re simply curious about what it takes to modernise a legacy industry — this one’s a grounded look at innovation that’s driven by people, trust, and execution.
00:00 Introduction
02:42 Getting Into Mining
05:57 Journey to Safecrete
10:12 What Safecrete Does
14:14 Startup Challenges
18:53 Advice for Starting Out
24:15 Difficult Moments & Lessons
27:48 The First 10 Months
31:01 Memorable Stories
Safecrete Technology website: https://www.safecretetech.com/
John Arundell LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-arundell/
Cameron Baker LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cameron-baker-851b981aa/
For those looking to explore the intricacies of business succession planning, Brett and his team are available for further consultation.
Find the full episode with Safecrete Technology's Cameron Baker and John Arundell here: https://www.resourcesunearthed.com.au/resourceful-podcasts/
Resources Unearthed Website: https://www.resourcesunearthed.com.au/