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Imdex Limited
Annual Report 2020

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FY2020 Annual Report · Imdex Limited
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IMDEX
ANNUAL REPORT
2020

A LEADING  
GLOBAL 
MINING-TECH  
COMPANY

IMDEX is a leading global 
Mining-Tech company.  

Changing the minerals 
industry forever.

INVESTMENT PROPOSITION

•  Strong financial position with improvement 
in recurring revenue and cash flow from 
operations

•  Outperforming minerals industry market 
growth with leading patent protected 
technologies 

Fe Cu

Ag

Au

Au

Fe Cu

Ag

•  Ability to drive growth via strategic 

acquisitions, ongoing disciplined product 
development and industry collaboration 

•  Committed to a sustainable dividend 

policy while continuing to invest in new 
technologies that have the potential to 
deliver earnings growth for shareholders

•  Compelling opportunities to grow the 

Au

Au

Fe Cu

Ag

business via product and market extension 
across the whole mining value chain 

Fe Cu

Ag

•  World-class R&D capabilities and 
an exciting pipeline of technology 
developments 

•  Established global company with the 

ability to leverage extensive client network 

•  Strong leadership team with a successful 

track record of developing and 
commercialising technologies

Au

Fe Cu

Ag

•  Opportunities to enhance the sustainability 

of operations for clients globally 

Au

Fe Cu

Ag

•  Strong minerals industry fundamentals 

underpinning growth – clients are 
embracing innovation and new 
technologies to lower costs, increase 
safety and achieve greater productivity

Fe Cu

Ag

Au

Au

Fe Cu

Ag

Au

Fe Cu

Ag

2

1

Au

Fe Cu

Ag

IMDEX LIMITED     ANNUAL REPORT 2020 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
FY20 ANNUAL 
GENERAL MEETING 

Our Annual General Meeting will be held on 15 October 2020 at 11:00 am 
(AWST) at IMDEX’s Head Office. Members of our Board and Executive 
Leadership Team will be available to discuss the Company’s performance, 
operations and technologies.

IMDEX LIMITED (IMDEX) 

ABN: 78 008 947 813 

AUSTRALIAN SECURITIES EXCHANGE (ASX)  

LISTING DATE: 24 SEPTEMBER 1987 

ASX CODE: IMD 

CORPORATE CALENDAR

31 December 2020

FY21 Half Year End

15 February 2021

FY21 Half Year Results Presentation and Webcast

15 – 19 February 2021

Half Year Results Road Show

30 June 2021

FY21 Year End

16 August 2021

Release of FY21 Full Year Financial Results

16 – 20 August 2021

FY21 Full Year Results Road Show

14 October 2021

FY21 Annual General Meeting

Note: If there are any  
changes to these dates,  
the Australian Securities  
Exchange will be notified.

ABOUT THIS REPORT 

This report is intended to provide IMDEX’s stakeholders with information 
about our Company, for the financial year ended 30 June 2020.  
An online version will be available on our website at  
www.imdexlimited.com/investors. 

All reference to dollars within this report are Australian dollars,  
unless otherwise stated. 

Our Corporate Governance Statement, which is also available at  
www.imdexlimited.com/about-us/corporate-governance, discloses the 
extent to which IMDEX has complied with the Australian Securities 
Exchange Corporate Governance Council’s ‘Corporate Governance 
Principles & Recommendations – 3rd edition’.

REGISTERED & HEAD OFFICE:  

216 BALCATTA ROAD 

BALCATTA  

WESTERN AUSTRALIA 6021 

REGISTERED PO BOX:  

PO BOX 1262  

OSBORNE PARK  

WESTERN AUSTRALIA 6916 

T +61 (8) 9445 4010 

IMDEX@IMDEXLIMITED.COM 

WWW.IMDEXLIMITED.COM

THIS REPORT HAS BEEN PREPARED BY IMDEX 

LIMITED (“THE COMPANY”). IT CONTAINS GENERAL 

BACKGROUND INFORMATION ABOUT THE 

COMPANY’S ACTIVITIES CURRENT AS AT THE DATE 

OF THE PRESENTATION. IT IS INFORMATION GIVEN 

IN SUMMARY FORM AND DOES NOT PURPORT TO 

BE COMPLETE. THE DISTRIBUTION OF THIS REPORT 

IN JURISDICTIONS OUTSIDE AUSTRALIA MAY BE 

RESTRICTED BY LAW AND YOU SHOULD OBSERVE 

ANY SUCH RESTRICTIONS. THIS REPORT IS NOT 

(AND NOTHING IN IT SHOULD BE CONSTRUED 

AS) AN OFFER, INVITATION, SOLICITATION OR 

RECOMMENDATION WITH RESPECT TO THE 

SUBSCRIPTION FOR, PURCHASE OR SALE OF ANY 

SECURITY IN ANY JURISDICTION, AND NEITHER THIS 

DOCUMENT NOR ANYTHING IN IT SHALL FORM THE 

BASIS OF ANY CONTRACT OR COMMITMENT. THE 

REPORT IS NOT INTENDED TO BE RELIED UPON AS 

ADVICE TO INVESTORS OR POTENTIAL INVESTORS 

AND DOES NOT TAKE INTO ACCOUNT THE 

INVESTMENT OBJECTIVES, FINANCIAL SITUATION 

OR NEEDS OF ANY PARTICULAR INVESTOR. THESE 

SHOULD BE CONSIDERED, WITH OR WITHOUT 

PROFESSIONAL ADVICE, WHEN DECIDING IF AN 

INVESTMENT IS APPROPRIATE. THE COMPANY HAS 

PREPARED THIS REPORT BASED ON INFORMATION 

AVAILABLE TO IT, INCLUDING INFORMATION 

DERIVED FROM PUBLICLY AVAILABLE SOURCES 

THAT HAVE NOT BEEN INDEPENDENTLY VERIFIED. 

NO REPRESENTATION OR WARRANTY, EXPRESS OR 

IMPLIED, IS MADE AS TO THE FAIRNESS, ACCURACY, 

COMPLETENESS, CORRECTNESS OR RELIABILITY OF 

THE INFORMATION, OPINIONS AND CONCLUSIONS 

EXPRESSED. ANY STATEMENTS OR ASSUMPTIONS 

IN THIS REPORT AS TO FUTURE MATTERS MAY 

PROVE TO BE INCORRECT AND DIFFERENCES 

MAY BE MATERIAL. TO THE MAXIMUM EXTENT 

PERMITTED BY LAW, NONE OF THE COMPANY, 

ITS DIRECTORS, EMPLOYEES OR AGENTS, NOR 

ANY OTHER PERSON ACCEPTS ANY LIABILITY, 

INCLUDING, WITHOUT LIMITATION, ANY LIABILITY 

ARISING FROM FAULT OR NEGLIGENCE ON THE 

PART OF ANY OF THEM OR ANY OTHER PERSON, 

FOR ANY LOSS ARISING FROM THE USE OF THIS 

PRESENTATION OR ITS CONTENTS OR OTHERWISE 
ARISING IN CONNECTION WITH IT.

CONTENTS

ABOUT IMDEX

4  
10   COMPANY STRATEGY 
12   2020 SNAPSHOT 
18   CHAIRMAN’S ADDRESS
20   CEO REPORT AND  

REVIEW OF OPERATIONS 

25   BOARD OF DIRECTORS 
26   EXECUTIVE LEADERSHIP TEAM 
28   OUR PEOPLE
32   GOVERNANCE 
33   ETHICS & INTEGRITY 
36   SUSTAINABLITY 
38   SAFETY & EMPLOYEE WELL-BEING 
42   QUALITY 
44   COMPANY HISTORY

2

3

IMDEX LIMITED     ANNUAL REPORT 2020 
 
 
About IMDEX 

Our integrated product offering includes: 

At IMDEX we develop drilling 
optimisation products and  
sensors to provide real-time  
rock knowledge and quality data. 
Together they enhance decision 
making for drilling contractors  
and resource companies across  
the mining value chain – from  
the drill rig to the core farm  
and processing plant.

“We are enabling the timely 

delivery of quality data, giving 
clarity on the nature of the rock 
to allow real-time decisions to be 
made, rather than having to wait 

weeks or months.”

DR MICHELLE CAREY 
GENERAL MANAGER  
– IMDEX PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT 

4
4
4

•  Secure cloud-based 

•  Downhole survey 

services

sensors 

•  Real-time subsurface 

•  Core orientation 

visualisation

•  Interpretive software 
for geological data

and gamma logging 
technologies

•  In-field sampling and 
analysis technologies

•  Fluids to optimise 
drilling productivity

•  Data collection and 
paperless reporting 
software 

•  Drilling productivity 
and rig alignment 
technologies 

•  Automated and 

remote drilling fluid 
testing technologies 

Drilling
Optimisation

Drilling
Optimisation

EXPLORATION

DISCOVERY

1.33

1.33

Rock
Knowledge
Sensors
Rock
Knowledge
Sensors

.........

.........

Real-time Data and Analytics

.........

.........

1.33

1.33

DEFINITION

PLANNING

FRAGMENTATION

EXTRACTION

Real-time Data and Analytics

EXPLORATION

DISCOVERY

DEFINITION

PLANNING

FRAGMENTATION

EXTRACTION

GRAPHIC  SOUR CE:  CRC ORE

EXPLORATION & DEVELOPMENT

GRAPHIC  SOUR CE:  CRC ORE

EXPLORATION & DEVELOPMENT

UNDERGROUND

Applicable across whole
mining value chain

UNDERGROUND

Applicable across whole
Applicable across the whole  
mining value chain
maining value chain

MINING & PRODUCTION

MINING & PRODUCTION

5
5

IMDEX LIMITED     ANNUAL REPORT 2020replace with Timaru

ESTABLISHED GLOBAL 
BUSINESS

IMDEX Facilities 
not including distributors

Smithers - Canada

Vancouver - Canada

East Sussex - UK

Rastede - Germany

Timmins - Canada

Amsterdam - Netherlands

Salt Lake City - USA 

San Luis Obispo - USA

Phoenix - USA

Torreón - Mexico
Coahuila - Mexico

We operate in all key 
mining regions of the 
world including Africa  
and Europe, Asia Pacific 
and the Americas.  
Our global presence and 
extensive client network 
allow us to: 

•  Provide local and 
timely support to 
drilling contractors and 
resource companies; 

•  Have greater access to 
international mineral 
exploration and mining 
markets; and

•  Efficiently introduce new 
technologies to these 
markets.

 Accra - Ghana

Parauapebas - Brazil

Belo Horizonte - Brazil

Itajai - Brazil

Quito - Ecuador

Lima - Peru

Mendoza - Argentina
Santiago - Chile

Manila - Phillipines

 Jakarta - Indonesia

Johannesburg
South Africa

Kalgoorlie - WA

PERTH - WA

Townsville - QLD
Brisbane - QLD

Adelaide - SA

Melbourne
- VIC

Timaru
- New Zealand

Arrowtown

AVERAGE REVENUE PROFILE

ESTIMATED COMMODITY EXPOSURE

OUR MARKET LEADING BRANDS

REFLEX and AMC are market leading brands 
within the global minerals industry. AMC 
is also growing its presence within the 
horizontal directional drilling, water-well and 
civil construction sectors. 

20%

50%

50%

80%

43%

SALES

RENTAL

EXPLORATION & 
DEVELOPMENT

MINING

33%

24%

AMERICAS

APAC 

EUROPE/
AFRICA 

25%

18%

GOLD

7%

COPPER 

IRON ORE

OTHER

50%

6

7

IMDEX LIMITED     ANNUAL REPORT 2020  
 
 
 
 
 
Government & Regulators

Distributors

Industry Partners

Clients

Suppliers

Employees

Community

Shareholders

INDUSTRY PARTNERS / 
THOUGHT LEADERSHIP

Digital Advisory Group
Audit, Risk & Compliance Committee

KEY STAKEHOLDERS 

STAKEHOLDERS

Government & Regulators

Suppliers

Distributors

Clients

Employees

During FY20 we implemented an employee 
engagement survey and held a key stakeholder 
workshop to consider what is important to our 
stakeholders and how we can add value.   
We will continue to build on these initiatives 
during FY21, including a shareholder survey 
regarding engagement and sustainability.  

Industry Partners

Community

Shareholders

Board of Directors

Board Committees

ESG

Committee

Audit, Risk & 

Compliance

Committee

Renumeration
& Nomination
Committee

Policies & Procedures

Corporate Culture
& Values

Chief Exective Officer

Management &
Employees

CLIENTS AND INDUSTRY 
PARTNERS

Our clients principally include drilling 
contractors and resource companies in 
all mining regions of the world.  We also 
collaborate with industry associations and 
research partners to address challenges and 
advance the global minerals industry.

Digital 
Advisory
Group

SUPPLY CHAIN

During FY20 we continued to focus on 
Risk Management
streamlining our supply chain and ensuring it 
& Internal Control
aligns with our Modern Slavery Policy. Other 
System
key initiatives included reviewing all aspects 
of our warehouse locations, inventory turns, 
risk management of key products, logistics and 
customer service.

The resilience of our supply chain ensured we 
were able to adjust sourcing volumes, locations 
and logistics to ensure our clients were not 
impacted by COVID-19.   

Our Supply Chain covers these critical areas to 
ensure continued success:

·  Manufacturing of fluids and instrumentation

·  Global service centres to support clients 

·  Suppliers of raw materials and technical 

componentry for instrumentation

·  Fast turnaround prototyping for engineering 

and R&D

·  Distribution and Logistics ensuring rapid 

response to the changing needs of our clients

8

9
9

IMDEX LIMITED     ANNUAL REPORT 2020Top 50 mining companies globallyINDUSTRY PARTNERSLong-standing Drilling ClientsAUSTRALIAN SHAFT DRILLING 
 
 
 
Company Strategy

We have a clear and consistent strategy to achieve 
sustainable earnings growth, which includes:
•  Growing our core business by enhancing technical 

leadership and building an integrated product offering 
that provides greater value to all clients; and

•  Further extension into the larger adjacent mining 

market to increase our less-cyclical revenue.

Key elements of this strategy include strategic 
acquisitions, ongoing disciplined research and 
development and industry collaboration. 
Our strong financial position, advanced development 
capabilities, established global presence and strong 
leadership team support the ongoing success of  
this strategy.

W
E
N

I

G
N
T
S
I
X
E

S
E
I
G
O
L
O
N
H
C
E
T
/
S
T
C
U
D
O
R
P

DRILLING 
PRODUCTIVITY 
TECHNOLOGIES

(INC COREVIBE™, 
XTRACTA™, 
MAGHAMMER™ &
aiSIRIS)

IMDEX MINING 
TECHNOLOGIES

(INC BLAST DOG™ 
& aiSIRIS)

ONGOING R&D
CORE BUSINESS

MARKET EXTENSION
CORE BUSINESS

EXPLORATION  
& DEVELOPMENT

MINING

MARKETS

IMDEX BLASTDOG

KEY AREAS OF FOCUS AND GROWTH 
INITIATIVES FOR FY21 

Our priority projects for FY21 include building on 
our integrated real-time rock knowledge offering 
for clients, converting client trials with COREVIBE™ 
and XTRACTA™ to commercial rentals, continuing to 
progress the development of MAGHAMMER™ and 
commercialising Mining technologies for Drill & Blast 
applications – including IMDEX BLASTDOG™.

We will also focus on integrating aiSIRIS and 
marketing this new technology via our global network. 

At the same time we will continue  
to focus on: 

•  Improving our safety performance;

•  Streamlining our operations and 

managing costs; and

•  Maintaining a resilient business that 
can deliver sustainable and growing 
returns to shareholders.

“There are multiple factors that 

can lead to asset impairment 
during the mining life cycle, from 
exploration through to operations.

However a significant factor 
Is insufficient rock knowledge 
or ore body knowledge. The 
scale of these losses and their 
preventable nature in the resource 
sector provides a strong case  
for placing a high value on  
having the right information  

at the right time.”

DAVE LAWIE 
IMDEX CHIEF GEOSCIENTIST 

10

11
11

IMDEX LIMITED     ANNUAL REPORT 2020 
 
 
 
 
2020 SNAPSHOT                                                                      AS AT JUNE 2020

OPERATING CASH FLOW 

OPERATIONAL HIGHLIGHTS

REVENUE  

$237.7m

EBITDA 

$54.4m

EBITDA MARGIN % 

23.3%

NPAT 

$21.8m

EPS (CENTS) 

5.64

$52.4m

NET CASH 

$32.2m

NET ASSETS 

$221.6m

MARKET CAPITALISATION 

$430.7m

SHARES ON ISSUE 

388.1m

LTIFR (per million hours worked)

3.97

Number of Employees

Banking Institutions

Legal Advisors

Auditors

Share Registry

1212
12

485

Bankwest

HopgoodGanim

Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu

Computershare

•  Continued to strengthen quality of the rental 

fleet. Average monthly revenue per instrument 
up 8% on FY19

•  Progressed strategy for sustainable growth:

•  Acquired AusSpec International and its 

unique aiSIRIS SaaS product to enhance 
real-time rock knowledge 
(completed 22 July 2020)

•  Completed Flexidrill acquisition and 

strengthened Drilling Optimisation offering  

•  Continued to advance IMDEX Mining 
technologies including autonomous 
operation and sensor refinement for  
IMDEX BLASTDOG™ 

•  Realised benefits of digital transformation  

– in core business and throughout  
COVID-19 period 

•  Established an ESG committee to enhance 

reporting and disclosure 

•  Achieved certification for Information Security 

Management standard ISO 27001

•  Successfully navigated COVID-19 impacts 

and restrictions

•  Seamless transition to new CEO to drive 

consistent growth strategy

•  Encouraging start to FY21 with improving 
rental fleet numbers and continued strong 
industry fundamentals underpinning  
IMDEX’s business growth

13

IMDEX LIMITED     ANNUAL REPORT 2020FY20 Financial Performance 

RECORD 9 MONTH 
REVENUE THROUGH TO 
MARCH

FULL YEAR REVENUE OF  
$237.7m  (FY19 $243.7m)

EBITDA OF  
$54.4m 

Revenue by Region
REVENUE BY REGION ($m)

13.0% — 4 YEAR CAGR

218.5

243.7

237.7

218.5

176.2

143.3

FY16

FY17

FY18

FY19

FY20

AFRICA/EUROPE

AMERICAS

ASIA PAC

EBITDA & EBITDA Margin %
EBITDA ($m) & EBITDA MARGIN (%)

$m

•  Record revenue for the  

9 months through to March

•  4Q20 revenue impacted 

by COVID-19 

•  COVID-19 business disruption 

stabilised late April

•  Continued to strengthen quality 
of rental fleet. Average monthly 
rental rate up 8% on FY19

•  Encouraging start to FY21. 

Improving rental fleet numbers 
and continued strong industry 
fundamentals

IMDEX LIMITED     ANNUAL REPORT 2020

CONTINUED INVESTMENT IN  
LEADING TECHNOLOGIES TO DRIVE  
FUTURE GROWTH

ROBUST BALANCE SHEET WITH A STRONG NET CASH 
POSITION OF $32.2M - UP 38% ON FY19

INTERIM FULLY-FRANKED DIVIDEND  
OF 1.0 CPS

SPECIAL FULLY-FRANKED DIVIDEND  
OF 2.0 CPS FOLLOWING SALE OF VES

FINAL FULLY-FRANKED DIVIDEND  
OF 0.7 CPS

Reconciliation of EBITDA

CASH FROM OPERATIONS ($m)

5.5

3.0

54.4

9.6

0.9

52.4

STRONG  
EBITDA 
CONVERSION 
TO OPERATING 
CASHFLOW

UP 31% 
ON FY19

99

EBITDA
(including AASB 16)

Working 
Capital

Balance Sheet
BALANCE SHEET ($m)

Other

Tax

$m

Finance 
Costs

Cash from 
Operations

11

24.0% — 4 YEAR CAGR

52.3

42.4

54.4

48.0

including 
AASB 16

excluding 
AASB 16

31.5

•  Sustained investment in R&D 
in line with growth strategy

•  Benefited from digital 

transformation

•  Ongoing focus on 

streamlining operations 
and managing costs 

18%

FY17

19%

FY18

20%

FY19

$m

1
including 
 AASB 16

23%1

FY20

$m

Cash

Receivables 

Inventory 

Fixed assets 1

Intangibles 2 

Other assets / deferred tax

TOTAL ASSETS

Payables

Borrowings

Other liabilities, provisions and current tax 3

TOTAL EQUITY

ROE

ROCE

30 JUNE 2020

30 JUNE 2019 

38.3
43.5
41.2
79.6
83.6
31.9
318.1

26.9
6.1
63.5
221.6

10%
12%

29.5
54.7
37.1
39.4
59.5
39.0
259.2

25.3
6.3
7.6
220.0

12%
15%

10

3.   Includes lease liabilities of $45.1m and deferred consideration for the purchase of Flexidrill of $14.7m.

1.   Includes Lease assets of $36.5m.    2   Intangible balance includes $25.5m of Flexidrill IP. 

20.3

14%

FY16

14
14

CASH 
$38.3m
UP 29.8%  
ON PCP

INTERIM FULLY-FRANKED DIVIDEND  
OF 1.0 CPS

SPECIAL FULLY-FRANKED DIVIDEND  
OF 2.0 CPS FOLLOWING SALE OF VES

FINAL FULLY-FRANKED DIVIDEND  
OF 0.7 CPS

CONTINUED INVESTMENT IN  
LEADING TECHNOLOGIES TO DRIVE  
FUTURE GROWTH

12

15
15

IMDEX LIMITED     ANNUAL REPORT 2020 
Summary of  
Financial Highlights

For the Year Ended  
30 June 2020 
(Audited Results) 

Consolidated

 2020    
 $’000    

 2019    
 $’000    

Revenue (excluding interest income)

 237,691 

 243,655 

Earnings before Interest, Tax, Depreciation & Amortisation  
(EBITDA) 1

EBITDA margin 1

Depreciation

Lease amortisation

Amortisation

Earnings before Interest & Tax (EBIT)

Net interest expense

Net profit before tax

Income tax (expense)

Net Profit after Tax

Basic earnings per share from continuing and  
discontinued operations (cents)

 58,072 

 52,336 

24.4%

 (18,980)

(5.943)

(1,565)

 31,584 

 (2,442)

 29,142 

21.5%

 (14,053)
-
(208)

 38,075 

 (623)

 37,452 

 (7,384)

 (9,844)

 21,758 

 27,608 

 5.64 ¢ 

 7.37 ¢ 

Net Cash provided by Operating Activities

 52,370 

 35,188 

Cash on hand

Net Assets

Total Borrowings

Net Tangible Assets per Share

 38,263 

 29,476 

 221,632 

 220,012 

 6,115 

 6,239 

 42.36 ¢ 

 42.36 ¢ 

1. FY20 includes $3.6m profit on sale of interest 
in VES and $6.4m benefit from AASB16

Small % variances may exist within 
this report due to rounding

16

17
17

IMDEX LIMITED     ANNUAL REPORT 2020 
 
Chairman’s 
Address

Anthony Wooles 
IMDEX Chairman

I’m pleased to present the Company’s Annual Report for the 2020 financial year 
(FY20).

The Company enjoyed a positive start to FY20 with increasing activity and demand 
for IMDEX’s leading technologies.  Like many businesses, however, this uplift was 
interrupted in the fourth quarter by COVID-19. 

I am immensely proud of how IMDEX’s global team was able to remain focused on 
protecting its people and the continuity of its business during these unprecedented 
times. The collaborative efforts of the Executive Leadership Team, Crisis Management 
Team and all employees globally, was outstanding.  Together they accepted new ways 
of working, provided remote support to clients and continued to drive our strategy for 
sustainable growth. 

Safety Performance 

Enhancing the Company’s safety performance remained a key focus throughout FY20.  
At the same time, IMDEX heightened its support for employee mental health and well-
being and implemented new training and safety engagement initiatives. 

The Company unfortunately did not meet its Lost Time Incident Frequency Rate 
(LTIFR) target of < 2.52.  Improving safety performance – and achieving zero harm – 
will remain a key priority during FY21.

Further information regarding IMDEX’s safety targets and initiatives can be found in 
this report. 

Revenue and Earnings

The Company generated revenue of $237.7 million, which represented a 2% decrease 
on the previous year. Our EBITDA was $54.4 million – including AASB 16 adjustments 
and excluding gains on the sale of VES.

These are solid results given the severe impact of COVID-19 on the macro 
environment and demonstrate the strength of the business. 

Dividends

IMDEX remains committed to a sustainable dividend policy, while continuing to invest 
in new technologies that have the potential to deliver sustainable earnings growth for 
shareholders. 

During FY20 the Company paid a fully franked interim dividend of 1.0 cent per share 
and a fully-franked special dividend of 2.0 cents per share following the sale of its 
interest in non-core asset Vaughn Energy Services.

Directors have also declared a fully-franked final dividend of 0.7 cents per share.  
This brings the full year dividend to 1.7 cents per share, which represents a 30% FY20 
NPAT payout ratio. Dividend record and payment dates are 29 September 2020 and  
13 October 2020 respectively. 

Sustainable Earnings Growth for our Shareholders 

IMDEX has a consistent strategy of delivering sustainable earnings growth for 
shareholders, which includes growth of the Company’s core business and extension 
into the larger and less-cyclical mining and production market.  

Throughout FY20 IMDEX pursued this strategy through focused 
technology acquisitions, disciplined research and development, 
and industry collaboration.  Notable examples include the 
acquisition of AusSpec International and further development 
of IMDEX BLASTDOG™ with METS Ignited partners, Orica, Anglo 
America and Teck Resources. 

At the same time IMDEX continued to pay very close attention to 
cost management and strengthening its resilience in all market 
conditions. 

Transition to New CEO

On 1 July 2020, IMDEX officially confirmed Bernie Ridgeway’s 
retirement as Managing Director and welcomed Paul House as 
Chief Executive Officer.

Both Bernie and Paul should be complimented on this transition.  
It was planned and well-considered to ensure 100% business 
continuity and the seamless execution of our long-term growth 
strategy. 

On behalf of IMDEX’s Board of Directors, I would like to 
acknowledge Bernie’s strong leadership and dedication to the 
Company over the past twenty years.  It has been a pleasure 
working with him and IMDEX has indeed evolved as a leading 
global Mining-Tech company.

I would also like to express the Board’s full support for Paul and the members 
look forward to building on our excellent relationship with all of IMDEX’s Executive 
Leadership Team in FY21. 

A Responsive Board 

My sincere thanks to my fellow Board members for their commitment throughout 
FY20.  At all times each member has ensured a high-level of governance and 
accountability while contributing to the success of IMDEX’s growth strategy. 

In line with the revised ASX Corporate Governance Principles and Recommendations, 
IMDEX will consider future appointments of additional Directors to complement the 
Board’s skills, diversity and areas of expertise.

Our Valued Shareholders

On behalf of IMDEX’s Board, I would like to thank our valued shareholders for their 
ongoing support. 

Kind regards

Anthony Wooles

IMDEX Chairman

18

19

IMDEX LIMITED     ANNUAL REPORT 2020 
Chief Executive Officer’s Report and 
Review of Operations

Paul House 
IMDEX CEO

Dear Shareholders, 

It is a pleasure to report on our performance and operations for the 2020 financial 
year (FY20). 

IMDEX is committed to its journey as a leading Mining-Tech company. The 
opportunity ahead of us remains very exciting, and the progress we have made  
in 2020, both because of and in spite of COVID-19, has exceeded our expectations.   
We have a clear and consistent growth strategy, an exciting pipeline of technologies 
and a highly capable team that is positioned in every major mining region around the 
world.  Together, we are looking forward to building upon our unique value proposition 
for clients, and delivering sustainable long-term earnings growth for our shareholders. 

Our Unique Value Proposition and Growth Strategy 

The IMDEX value proposition principally includes providing quality data and real-time 
rock knowledge for clients.  That is, an informed understanding of the orebody from 
drilling data and sensing data derived from the drill hole or blast hole. We answer the 
questions ‘where to drill next’ and ‘how can processing be optimised’ – and we do it 
in real-time or near real-time.

The ability to make these decisions in a timely and efficient way can deliver 
substantial economic benefits to both the resource companies, as asset owners, and 
the drilling contractors. Whether it is improving the cost per metre to drill to target 
by >50%, or through providing optimised blasting solutions that can improve mill 
throughput by >15%, IMDEX strives to provide real value throughout the mining value 
chain. 

We deliver this value via our integrated product offerings. These include: 

•  Drilling Optimisation – Products that reduce the cost of drilling and are critical 

drivers in improving exploration success, particularly with deeper drilling or drilling 
under cover;

•  Rock Knowledge – Best-in-class sensing tools that deliver quality data across all 

four components of rock knowledge – location, grade, texture and mineralogy; and

•  Data & Analytics – Our cloud-based services and software solutions aggregate, 

store and distribute data to the right client, at the right time, anywhere in the world. 
Our ISO27000 certification ensures all data is handled securely with clear chain of 
custody.  Our IMDEXHUB-IQ™ cloud services integrate with a range of analytical 
software to facilitate interpretation, visualisation and critical decision making.  

Our strategy to deliver long-term earnings growth for shareholders includes: growing 
our core business in exploration and development; and further extension into the 
adjacent mining and production market, which is larger and less-cyclical. To do 
this, we pursue technology-focused strategic acquisitions, maintain our technology 
leadership by ongoing and disciplined investment in research and development, and 
collaborate with industry partners and research associations. 

Market Conditions and Financial Performance

It was an extraordinary year. We enjoyed a strong start to FY20 with activity 
increasing globally – most notably in Asia Pacific and Europe.  Drilling activity 
around the world was impacted in 4Q20 as a direct result of government mandated 
restrictions in response to the COVID-19 crisis . 

The table below summarises the impact of COVID-19 on IMDEX’s regions and the recovery to early 
August 2020.  The Company continues to closely monitor all  risks associated with secondary 
outbreaks or possible epicentres at mine sites.  

Evolution of Government Mandated Restrictions on Mining Regions Due to COVID-19

The short-term interruption to our business stabilised by the end of April 2020. Pleasingly, the 
majority of mining regions around the world are through their initial response phase and are moving 
towards resumption of all mining activities where possible.  An indicator of this resumption in 
activity is the recovery of our rental fleet. As at 14 August 2020, the number of instruments on rent 
exceeded the pre-COVID peak.

Given the disruption of COVID-19 we are pleased with our results for FY20 as we continue to 
outperform minerals industry market growth.

We achieved our strongest revenue results through to the end of 3Q20, and finished the full year 
with revenue of $237.7m, a 2% decline on the record achieved in FY19. 

Our EBITDA result of $54.4 million was slightly down on FY19 on a like-for-like basis, due to the 
impacts of COVID-19 in 4Q20. It also reflected our: 

•  Growing percentage of rental revenue that yields higher gross margins;

•  Ongoing benefits from our digital transformation and supply chain initiatives;

•  Savings introduced during 4Q19 in response to COVID-19; 

•  Increased engineering and product development expenditure; and 

•  Associated M&A costs and costs to protect our IP.

Our digital transformation project realised real benefits and we maintained our unrelenting focus 
on being ‘match-fit’, streamlining operations, continuing our disciplined cost management and 
finding new ways to work throughout the year.  We also accelerated our online Customer Care and 
IMDEX Academy training platform, in response to demand.  These initiatives enable us to provide 
comprehensive remote support to clients and lower the costs of managing our business for the 
long-term.

Our cash from operations was strong for the full year.  The stronger EBITDA conversion during 
2H20 can largely be attributed to our disciplined approach to working capital management. 

The strength of our balance sheet and net cash position enabled us to sustain our capital 
management program and accelerate opportunities for future growth.

20

21

IMDEX LIMITED     ANNUAL REPORT 2020No LockdownNo Lockdown (regulated)Soft LockdownHard Lockdown (exempted)Hard Lockdown (not exempted)Evolution of COVID-19 Government Mandated Restrictions on Mining RegionsAsia PacificApr-20May-20Jun-20Jul-20Aug-20Australia - WAAustralia - QLDAustralia - NSWAustralia - VICAustralia - SANew ZealandIndonesiaPhillipinesAfrica & EuropeApr-20May-20Jun-20Jul-20Aug-20South AfricaGhanaUKGermanyNorth AmericaApr-20May-20Jun-20Jul-20Aug-20Canada - OntarioCanada - QuebecUSA - SLOUSA - UtahUSA - NevadaUSA - ArizonaMexico South America Apr-20May-20Jun-20Jul-20Aug-20ChileBrazilPeruArgentina 
REAL TIME ROCK KNOWLEDGE & QUALITY DATA

LOCATION:
 IMDEXHUB-IQ™ connected survey tools 
mean geologists can see where their 
holes are anywhere and anytime, rather 
than relying on paper-based work flows.

TEXTURE:
IMDEX’s 
Structural-IQ solution 
combines multiple 
sensors to allow 
geologists to see the 
position of their structures 
in 3D as they log in the 
core farm. This replaces 
workflow where data 
gathering and 
interpretation were 
separated by weeks or 
months.

MINERALS:
AusSpec’s aiSIRIS SaaS 
product provides a 
real-time mineralogy 
solution to IMDEX’s rock 
knowledge offering. It 
replaces a workflow 
reliant on laboratory and 
expert interpretation that 
is asynchronous to data 
collection. 

GRADE:
IMDEX’s In-field GeoAnalysis solution enables 
geoscientists to obtain quality assay data at 
the rig or core farm rather than waiting for 
laboratory results. 

Timely 
information 
for critical 
decision 
making

Au

Au

Fe Cu

Fe Cu

Ag

Ag

QUALITY DATA

REPRESENTIVITY

TIME SAVINGS

• Industry leading sensors

• Cost effective methods 

•  Actionable information  

• QA/QC at point of data 

collection

• Digital workflows 
remove risk of  
human error

• AI and machine  
learning remove  
human subjectivity

22

allowing data to be 
collected for every 
metre drilled

• Repeatable  

sensor-based  
data (IoG)

in real-time

• Driller operable 

instrumentation  
– not reliant on  
third-party service 
providers  

• More efficient digital 

workflows

Chief Executive Officer’s Report And Review Of Operations continued...

We have adhered to our capital management policy and paid dividends while 
continuing to invest in leading technologies throughout the cycle – including 
during the impact of COVID-19.  This principle remains vital to driving 
growth for shareholders.  The strategic acquisition of AusSpec International 
(AusSpec) to enhance our real-time rock knowledge offering for clients across 
the mining value chain is in line with our growth strategy .

Acquisition of AusSpec 

We were pleased to announce our acquisition of AusSpec  – the world’s 
leading provider of spectral mineralogy through its unique aiSIRIS platform 
(Artificial Intelligence Spectral InfraRed Interpretation System).

Every mine in the world makes capital investment and production decisions 
based upon four key components of rock knowledge. Our existing product 
offering addressed three of these components and now the aiSIRIS solution 
satisfies the fourth – mineralogy.

In line with our value proposition, aiSIRIS also enables the timely delivery of 
critical data. This in turn allows real-time decisions to be made, rather than 
having to wait weeks or months. 

AusSpec is great growth story, having delivered four-years of consistent and 
profitable growth and generates revenue via a SaaS model.  It has established 
both its technology and reputation in the marketplace.

The acquisition is immediately cash flow positive, will provide an additional 
recurring revenue stream and is expected to be earnings per share accretive from years 2-3.   
The opportunity to leverage our global network, integrate the aiSIRIS offering IMDEXHUB-IQ™  
and our In-Field Geoanalysis solutions, will drive growth.

Au

Fe Cu

The transaction was completed on 22 July 2020 following payment of $1m cash and $5m in IMDEX 
shares. Further details regarding the risk-shared structure of the transaction are set out in the ASX 
announcement dated 7 July 2020.

Ag

We are looking forward to building on our existing relationship with AusSpec co-founders,  
Dr Sasha Pontual and Dr Paul Gamson, and their highly-knowledgeable team.

Premium Drilling Optimisation Technologies 

On 6 January 2020 we completed our acquisition of Flexidrill and its unique Drilling Optimisation 
technologies – COREVIBE™ and MAGHAMMER™. In line with our conservative acquisition strategy, 
this transaction provided for further development and extensive testing of COREVIBE™ and 
MAGHAMMER™.

Successful client trials with COREVIBE™ were undertaken throughout 1H20 and 3Q20. These trials 
continued to validate the significant benefits of this unique technology, including substantial increases 
in productivity. 

Following the impact of COVID-19, the majority of client COREVIBE™ trials were placed on hold due to 
limited access to sites for non-essential personnel. Interest in the technology remains high, and we 
are confident our full pipeline of leads will convert into active rentals as restrictions ease and trials 
recommence.. 

Development of MAGHAMMER™ continued to progress well at our test site in New Zealand and has 
resumed following the COVID-19 related restrictions.  

XTRACTA™, which was developed solely through in-house R&D, is also progressing well and while trials 
were also interrupted by COVID-19 restrictions, we have already rescheduled client trials for 1Q21. 

23

IMDEX LIMITED     ANNUAL REPORT 2020 
 
 
 
 
 
 
SOURCE: S&P GLOBAL

Chief Executive Officer’s Report And Review Of Operations continued...

IMDEX Mining Technologies 

Once again COVID-19 limited access to operating sites to 
continue trials.  We maintained development of the BLASTDOG™ 
product during 4Q20, however, by establishing our own test 
benches on properties in Queensland.   Notably, we were able 
to accelerate our progress its autonomous operation mode and 
sensor refinement.  

During the balance of this year we will continue to leverage our 
global presence and strong support from METS Ignited partners 
– Orica, Anglo America and Teck Resources – to advance our 
IMDEX Mining Technologies for further extension into the larger, 
less-cyclical mining market.  

Outlook for FY20

The strong fundamentals underpinning our business growth 
remain in place despite COVID-19. These drivers include: 

•  · The major and intermediate resource companies are increasing their 

expenditure to replace diminishing reserves; 

•  · Resource companies are embracing innovation and new technologies 

to lower costs, increase safety and achieve greater productivity; 

•  · New discoveries are likely to be under cover and at depth resulting in 

larger drilling campaigns; and

•  · Strong commodity prices supported by demand across a broad range 

of sectors including consumer, industrial and government related 
industries. 

Our growth strategy remains on track.  Furthermore, demand and 
opportunities for our drilling optimisation products and cloud-connected 
sensors have been heightened to support remote operations and 
expedite new drilling programs.  

A Great Team 

IMDEX has a great team of people around the world.  The manner 
and speed with which our team rose to the challenge presented by 
COVID-19 was exemplary.  The leadership and ownership at every level 
– in protecting our people and protecting our business – has been 
the highlight of a difficult time.  Into this team I am pleased to warmly 
welcome our AusSpec colleagues.  

IMDEX is a strong and resilient business and I look forward to working 
with you all in FY21. 

Kind regards

Paul House 
IMDEX CEO

24

Our Board  
of Directors

Our Board has extensive 
professional expertise, business 
experience and knowledge of the 
mineral exploration, mining and 
technology industries. It also has 
considerable experience within 
capital and financial markets. 
Members of the Board are well 
respected in these sectors and play 
an active role in our Company’s 
strategic planning.

Key priorities for the Board during FY20 
included: 
•  Enhancing safety performance
•  Strong corporate governance
•  Capital management
•  Driving growth strategy via strategic 
acquisitions, ongoing research and 
development and industry collaboration.

The Board will remain focused on these 
priorities throughout FY21, together with 
ensuring the ongoing well-being of IMDEX’s 
people and the continuity of the business.

Ms Sally-Anne Layman 
Non-Executive Director 

Mr Kevin Dundo
Non-Executive Director 

Mr Anthony Wooles 
Non-Executive Chairman 

Mr Ivan Gustavino
Non-Executive Director 

Appointed to the Board 
6 February 2017

Appointed to the Board 
14 January 2004 

Appointed as Chairman  
1 July 2016

Appointed to the Board 
3 July 2015

Expertise:  
Exploration, mining  
and finance

Expertise:  
Corporate and 
commercial Law 

Expertise:  
Financial and capital 
markets and  
strategic marketing

Expertise:  
Strategic growth and 
transactions within the 
technology sector

25

IMDEX LIMITED     ANNUAL REPORT 2020 
 
 
Executive Leadership Team

Mr Paul House 
Chief Executive Officer

• 30 years’ experience within the 

Mr Paul Evans 
Chief Financial Officer & 
Company Secretary

resources and technology sectors

• Chartered Accountant Australia and 

New Zealand

• Member of the Institute of Chartered 

Accountants Australia and New 
Zealand and the Australian Institute 
of Company Directors

• Chief Financial Officer and Company 

Secretary since 17 October 2006

• Extensive experience in commercial, 
general management and financial 
roles

• Industry experience covering the 
media, manufacturing, mining 
services and telecommunications 
industries

• Areas of expertise include: 

management, operations, strategy 
and governance across a wide 
range of markets around the world, 
including: USA; Australia; Africa; 
India; the Middle East and South  
East Asia

• 14 years with SGS, the world’s 

leading inspection and testing firm, 
with a dominant presence in the 
resources geochemistry assay and 
metallurgy sectors. Additional roles 
have included strategy, innovation, 
market entry strategy, turnaround 
performance management and 
corporate finance positions

• Fellow of the Australian Institute 
of Management and a Graduate 
Member of Australian Institute of 
Company Directors

Mr Shaun Southwell 
Chief Operating Officer

• Extensive management experience. 
One of his key strengths is delivering 
operational excellence across multi-
disciplined teams

• An excellent knowledge of the drilling 
tools business and all aspects of the 
supply chain including: manufacturing; 
service; fleet management; and 
logistics

• Prior to joining IMDEX, Shaun worked 

with SGS Gearhart United, which 
includes Redback Drilling Tools, for 
27 years. He commenced his career 
as an apprentice fitter and turner and 
progressed to senior management 
positions including: Global Head – 
Drilling Equipment Inspection;  
General Manager – Oil, Gas &  
Chemical; and General Manager 
Industrial & Gearhart Group

Mr Tim Price 
General Manager  
IMDEX Product Research

• 33 years’ experience in engineering 

and product development

• Eight years with IMDEX, 20 years 

with Scientific Drilling International 
holding positions from Design 
Engineer to Senior Vice President of 
Engineering

• Five years in Aerospace and 

Ms Kylie Panckhurst 
IMDEX Acting General Counsel 

• Over ten years’ experience 

supporting clients with operations, 
issues management and 
opportunities

• Admitted as a barrister and solicitor 
in the High Court of New Zealand 
(2008), the Federal Court of Australia 
and the Supreme Court of Western 
Australia (2012)

Semiconductor Test Industries

• Bachelor of Law, Honours (First 

• Bachelor of Science in Electronic 

Engineering and Master of Science in 
Electrical Engineering from California 
Polytechnic State University, San Luis 
Obispo

Class) and Bachelor of Arts (majoring 
in Politics) from the University of 
Otago, New Zealand 

Dr Dave Lawie 
Chief Geoscientist / Chief 
Technologist – Mining 
Solutions

• Chief Geoscientist for IMDEX since 

2012 and Chief Technologist – 
Mining, for IMDEX since 2015

• Global positions in exploration 
geochemistry and R&D with 
Pasminco and Anglo American 
before co-founding ioGlobal in 2004

• Grew ioGlobal as Managing Director 
into a global company specialising in 
geochemistry and geometallurgical 
consulting services, cloud-based 
data management and the ioGAS 
desktop analytics software– the 
company was acquired by IMDEX in 
2012

• PhD in Geosciences and Analytics 
from the University of New England

Mr Mathew Regan 
Chief of Corporate Shared 
Services

• Extensive Executive management 

experience in business 
transformation, strategy, innovation, 
supply chain optimisation and digital 
technologies

• Bachelor of Computer Science from 
Edith Cowan University and a Master 
of Information Technology from the 
University of Western Australia

• Stanford University Executive 

Program

• Member of Australian Institute of 

Company Directors

Dr Michelle Carey 
General Manager  
IMDEX Product Development

• Over 20 years’ experience in the mining 

industry working for companies 
including BHP and WMC

• Eight years in senior leadership roles at 

IMDEX

• Extensive experience in developing 
innovative products for the mining 
industry

• PhD in Geochemistry from Monash 

University

Derek Loughlin 
Global Business Development 
Director

• Held executive management 

positions at IMDEX since 2006

• More than 30 years’ experience 
within the mining and drilling 
industry, including international 
assignments

• Honours Degree in Mining 

Engineering from the Camborne 
School of Mines, UK

• Programme for Executive 

Development at IMD Switzerland

Ms Kiah Grafton 
Global Head of Human 
Resources

• 18 years’ experience in senior 
management and leadership 
positions for national and global 
organisations within the banking, 
hospitality and not-for-profit 
industries

• Strategic expertise across all aspects 
of human resources with a passion 
for culture transformation, industrial 
relations, talent acquisition and 
organisational development.

• Bachelor of Business (Double Major 
in Human Resource Management 
and Management) and a Certificate 
IV in Training and Assessment

26

27

IMDEX LIMITED     ANNUAL REPORT 2020EMPLOYEES BY AGE CATEGORY

DIVERSITY AND EQUALITY 

Our People

GLOBAL WORKFORCE

During FY20 our global 
workforce decreased by 
5% to 485 people, largely 
due to our ongoing focus 
on streamlining operations 
and our internal digital 
transformation.

UNDER 30 

21%

30 - 50

OVER 50

12%

FY20

67%

Temporary

Part Time
1%

EMPLOYEES BY GENDER

Permanent

Temporary

Permanent

Female

Male

Full Time

FEMALE

Part Time
10%

Full Time

MALE

Female

Male

23%

FY20

67%

Temporary

Part Time
1%

Permanent

Temporary

Permanent

Full Time

Part Time
10%

Full Time

Female

Male

Female

Male

EMPLOYEES BY REGION

11%

20%

FY20

41%

21%

7%

APAC

AFRICA

EUROPE

N. AMERICA

S. AMERICA

We value and encourage diversity in our global 
workforce. We seek to employ, retain and develop 
employees for the long-term, assisting in their 
professional development and the development of the 
culture and values of our Company. 

Our aim is to build a diverse workforce and inclusive 
environment where everyone feels able to participate 
and achieve their potential. This strategy extends 
beyond legal compliance and seeks to add value by 
contributing to our employees’ health and well-being.  

IMDEX is committed to providing equal opportunities 
for all employees. We ensure employment decisions are 
made solely on the basis of merit, taking into account 
relevant skills, qualifications, experience and ability and 
without bias or prejudice. 

Further information can be found within our Diversity 
Policy and Global Code of Conduct Policy on our 
website.

IMDEXWOMEN-EQ

In October 2020, members of our management team 
established IMDEXWOMEN-EQ. The aim of the forum 
is to share learnings and provide guidance, leadership, 
inspiration, empowerment and support for the personal 
and professional development of all women at IMDEX. 

The forum recognises that everyone has diverse skills, 
experiences, strengths, challenges and aspirations.  
Sharing these attributes in a supportive environment 
can be highly valuable for personal development and the 
growth of others.

EMPLOYEE ASSISTANCE PROGRAM

To support the health and well-being of our employees, 
we continue to offer an Employee Assistance Program 
(EAP). Our EAP is provided by Lifeworks, a global and 
independent organisation that specialises in coaching 
and counselling services. The confidential EAP is 
available 24/7 and is free for all IMDEX employees and 
their immediate families.

28

29

IMDEX LIMITED     ANNUAL REPORT 2020 
Our People continued...

REMUNERATION 

Market evaluation of base salaries is conducted 
regularly to ensure our Company remains 
competitive and is able to effectively achieve our 
corporate strategic objectives.  Evaluations are 
based on external market data and advice from third 
party consultants in each region. 

Consistent with best practice, base salary ranges 
are determined by a target market position set by 
business strategy. 

Salary banding is used to ensure consistent salary 
rates and to simplify remuneration decisions 
within similar roles across our Company. Roles are 
grouped into bands and levels based on the job 
scope, accountability and responsibilities. Further 
information can be found in the Levels of Work 
Standard (GRHR-STA-03-02).

An individual’s base salary within the recommended 
range is influenced by a number of factors including:

variable pay design and ensuring appropriate 
alignment with contemporary market practices.

The annual Remuneration Report disclosure 
provides a detailed narrative for stakeholders to 
understand the outcomes of the annual review of 
our Company’s remuneration programs strategy, 
emoluments and what outcomes were realised for 
the period.

EMPLOYEE BENEFITS 

Our Company complies with legislation in all 
localities it operates in. Part-time employees are not 
excluded from any of the full-time employee benefits 
including life insurance, health care, disability and 
invalidity coverage, retirement provision, stock 
ownership and parental leave.  In jurisdictions where 
casual employees exist, they do not receive parental 
leave.  

•  Relevant experience at the level of the role

•  Consistency and level of previous performance 

PEOPLE HUB

•  Alignment with company values

•  Business criticality of the role

•  Relative scarcity or availability of required skills in 

the market.

•  Independent remuneration consultants are also 
engaged to assist with remuneration/reward 
design and strategy.

Further information relating to our remuneration 
policies for the Board and Executive Leadership 
Team are set out in the Remuneration Report within 
the FY20 Financial Report.

For 4Q20 Board members, the Executive 
Leadership Team and all employees accepted new 
arrangements in response to COVID-19.

REMUNERATION AND NOMINATION 
COMMITTEE

As part of our annual calendar of activities, the 
Remuneration and Nomination Committee monitors 
shareholder and proxy advisor sentiment towards 
remuneration practices. Shareholder views and 
their proxies are taken into account when reviewing 
remuneration policy setting each year, including 

30

Further enhancements to People HUB, our human 
resources information system, were implemented 
over the course of the year. In October 2019, the 
Achievement and Development Reviews were 
introduced to the platform to help us efficiently 
performance manage our diverse teams. In July 
2020, leave management was also implemented 
for USA and Canada. Further modules have been 
planned, including succession, development, 
compensation, recruitment and onboarding.

GLOBAL INTERNSHIP PROGRAM  

During FY20 we continued our Global Internship 
Program. The Program offered undergraduates and 
new graduates the opportunity to work at one of our 
global facilities and provided a hands-on learning 
environment and practical experience, together with 
coaching and mentoring opportunities. 

The Internship Program was run in Asia Pacific 
and the Americas and enrolments spanned 
diverse disciplines including: engineering; geology, 
procurement; finance; legal; human resources;  
and information technology. 

ENHANCING ENGAGEMENT

In February 2020 we conducted an employee 
engagement survey to ensure our culture supports 
our strategy. We had excellent participation with an 
81% response rate globally.  

Based on the survey results our strengths included:

•  Positive supervisor relationships with team 

members

•  Direct line managers creating trusting and open 

environments

•  Safety in the workplace

•  A commitment to quality work

Areas to focus on included:

•  Communication of our mission and strategy to 

ensure alignment for all team members

•  A review of our values and behaviours to create 

greater connection for our employees

•  Design and implementation of a recognition 

program to ensure our employees continue to feel 
valued

•  Supporting the execution of our Learning and 

Development framework to allow our employees to 
be their best at IMDEX. 

CAPABILITY DEVELOPMENT

Throughout May 2020, managers reviewed 482 
employees utilising tailored functional competency 
assessment matrices. All employees were assessed 
against a 5-point rating scale (unskilled, developing, 
competent, highly proficient and mastery) for each 
capability. These assessments have formulated the 
design of a customised learning and development 
framework for opportunities including:

•  How we align new employees to our company

•  Creating operational excellence in each function

•  Fostering leadership growth 

•  Building strategic leadership

In June 2020, we launched our IMDEX leadership 
capability assessment process and 60 leaders 
globally were assessed against 14 leadership 
specific competencies based on Korn Ferry 
research. 

During FY21 a global leadership development plan 
will be designed based on this assessment.

31

IMDEX LIMITED     ANNUAL REPORT 2020 
 
 
 
 
Governance 

The Australian Securities Exchange (ASX) 
Corporate Governance Council sets out best 
practice recommendations, including corporate 
governance practices and suggested disclosures 
(ASX Recommendations). 

ASX Listing Rule 4.10.3 requires companies to 
disclose the extent to which they have complied 
with the ASX Recommendations and to give 
reasons for not following them. Unless otherwise 
indicated, the ASX Recommendations, including 
corporate governance practices and suggested 
disclosures, have been adopted by our Company 
for the full year ended 30 June 2020. 

We also provide a Corporate Governance 
section on our website, which includes the 
relevant documentation suggested by the ASX 
Recommendations: www.imdexlimited.com/ 
about-us/corporate-governance.

Digital Advisory Group
Audit, Risk & Compliance Committee

STAKEHOLDERS

Government & Regulators

Suppliers

Industry Partners

Distributors

Clients

Employees

Community

Shareholders

Board of Directors

Board Committees

ESG
Committee

Audit, Risk & 
Compliance
Committee

Renumeration
& Nomination
Committee

Digital 
Advisory
Group

Policies & Procedures

Corporate Culture
& Values

Risk Management
& Internal Control
System

Chief Exective Officer

Management &
Employees

Ethics & Integrity 

COMPANY VALUES 

The IMDEX Way sets out the key principles 
and expected behaviours that govern our 
Company’s decision making, business practices 
and employee reward programs.  Our values 
and behaviours were based on feedback from 
employees and our Executive Leadership and 
Senior Management Teams. 

IMDEX LIMITED     ANNUAL REPORT 2020

During FY21 a project is being undertaken 
to review these values.  The project will 
include the Barrett Values assessment 
survey, values summits in our regions and 
feedback from our clients. 

Our Company values will then be 
accompanied by behaviours to be cascaded 
to all employees through a structured 
communication plan. 

INTEGRITY 

Communicating openly and honestly. Avoiding 
activities or organisations that are unethical, 
harm people or the environment.

ACCOUNTABILITY 

Taking responsibility for and delivering on 
IMDEX’s commitments to the Company, clients 
Government & Regulators
and colleagues.

Distributors

Industry Partners

TEAMWORK 
Clients

Suppliers

Community

Working collaboratively, safely and with respect 
Employees
for diversity within the IMDEX Group to achieve 
the best results for the Company, clients and 
colleagues.

Shareholders

BEING DYNAMIC 

Maintaining an efficient global Company 
with the flexibility to provide localised client 
solutions and the adaptability to react quickly to 
new opportunities and change.

CONTINUOUS IMPROVEMENT 

Pursuing IMDEX’s strategy of ongoing growth 
and reward for shareholders, clients and 
employees through continuous improvement 
of the Company’s products, services and work 
practices.

INNOVATION 

Leveraging IMDEX’s advanced technologies and 
research and development capabilities to deliver 
innovative, leading edge products and services 
that optimise client operations.

32

33
33

IMDEX LIMITED     ANNUAL REPORT 2020 
 
Ethics & Integrity continued...

SUPPLIER CODE OF CONDUCT 

ANTI-BRIBERY AND CORRUPTION 

We are committed to transparent, safe and ethical 
procurement practices. Our aim is to partner with 
like-minded suppliers to help us deliver leading 
solutions that enhance our clients’ operations. 

Our Anti-Bribery and Corruption Policy builds on our 
Company Values and Code of Conduct.  The Policy 
ensures we are committed to:

•  Zero-tolerance for bribery and other forms of 

To achieve this, we have developed a Supplier 
Code of Conduct, which clearly sets out our 
minimum expectations of suppliers, their 
subsidiaries and subcontractors (suppliers). 

The Supplier Code of Conduct aligns with our 
Corporate Governance Polices, company values 
and internal expected behaviours. Central to these 
polices, values and behaviours is: 

•  Safety for employees, contractors, clients, 

suppliers and the public 

•  Compliant and ethical business practices 

•  Diversity and human rights 

corruption; 

•  Honest and ethical business practices; and 

•  Compliance with the laws of the countries where 

we operate.

The Policy also sets out requirements for business 
conduct and provides information on how to 
recognise and respond to bribery and corruption. 
Compliance with this Policy:

•  Supports legitimate engagements; 

•  Promotes economic development and good 

governance; and 

•  Protects against significant legal, financial, safety 

•  Protecting the environment and communities in 

and reputational risks.

which we operate 

•  Respect, transparency and support to speak-up. 

We may choose not to work with, or cease to work 
with, suppliers who do not meet these minimum 
expectations. 

CODE OF CONDUCT 

Our Code of Conduct (the Code) provides an 
important framework for our decisions and 
actions at work and establishes the minimum 
standard of conduct required. The Code also 
highlights that all employees have a duty to act in 
the best interest of IMDEX. 

Our Code is reviewed regularly by IMDEX Legal 
and is endorsed by our Board and Executive 
Leadership Team.

To ensure ongoing compliance, all employees are 
required to complete annual Anti-Bribery and Anti-
Corruption training. 

CONFLICTS OF INTEREST 

All employees and contractors are required to 
complete an annual conflict of interest declaration 
and manage this declaration if circumstances 
change. To do this most efficiently, we utilise 
ComplianceDesktop™ – our online compliance 
management system.

SPEAK-UP POLICY 

Our Speak-Up Policy is designed to maintain the 
highest standards of corporate governance and 
ethical conduct across all our operations.  It also 
ensures our Company is a safe, respectful and 
inclusive place to work.

All employees are encouraged to ask questions, 
query and report actual or suspected violations of 
our Code of Conduct or IMDEX Polices without fear 
of retribution.   

Several methods can be used to make confidential 
and anonymous reports including IntegraCall® – a 
secure multilingual reporting platform that can be 
accessed via mobile or a desktop computer. 

The user-friendly platform has an integrated case 
management system to ensure reports are stored, 
monitored and managed appropriately – including a 
function to prioritise and escalate reports if needed. 
IntegraCall® also allows reporters to receive updates 
via instant messaging and check on the progress of 
their report at any time.

ETHICS CERTIFICATION 

To safeguard the ongoing ethical and compliant 
operation of our global business, all senior 
employees are required to complete Ethics & 
Compliance Certification every six months.  

This certification is completed via 
ComplianceDesktop™ and confirms these employees:

•  Have read and understand IMDEX’s Speak Up 

Policy, Code of Conduct and the Anti-Bribery & Anti-
Corruption Policy;

•  Have been, to the best of their knowledge, 

compliant with the Code, the two Policies and all 
applicable laws and regulations; and

•  Their teams, to the best of their knowledge, have 

been compliant with the Code, the two Policies and 
all applicable laws and regulations.

Regular Ethics & Compliance Certification will ensure 
all relevant risks are being adequately reported 
and addressed.  Importantly, the certification 
questionnaire also provides another confidential 
means of communicating potential breaches or 
concerns. 

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35

IMDEX LIMITED     ANNUAL REPORT 2020 
 
 
Sustainability

We are committed to enhancing disclosure and 
accessibility of information relating to our impacts on 
the economy, environment and society that indicate 
our contribution to sustainable development. 

In December 2019, our Company established an 
ESG Committee that was endorsed by the Board and 
Executive Leadership Team. The Committee is taking 
a step-wise approach to ensure consistent, quality 
and relevant information is provided, however, its 
key objective is preparing a Sustainability Report in 
accordance with the Global Reporting Initiative within 
three years. 

We will also consider our Company’s climate risk 
against the Task Force on Climate-Related Financial 
Disclosures (TCFD) recommendations.  In FY20 
we engaged Umwelt – environmental and social 
consultants – to undertake a TCFD gap analysis.  This 
analysis, together with a materiality study, will be 
used to establish the ESG Committee’s objectives and 
initiatives for FY21.

SUPPORTING POLICIES AND DOCUMENTS

•  Anti-Bribery & Anti-Corruption Policy
•  Audit Risk and Compliance Committee 

Charter 

•  Board Charter
•  Compliance Framework
•  Continuous Disclosure Policy 
•  Corporate Governance Statement 
•  Procedure for Evaluation of the Board 

Committees and Directors 

•  Remuneration Policy
•  Remuneration and Nomination Committee 

Charter 

•  Diversity Policy 
•  Risk Management Policy
•  Securities Trading Policy 
•  Shareholder Communications Policy 
•  Speak-Up Policy 
•  Supplier Code of Conduct 

•  Sustainability Policy

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SUPPORTING THE SUSTAINABILITY 
OF OUR CLIENTS OPERATIONS 

Our products and technologies are designed to 
enhance efficiency, productivity and safety while 
reducing costs and environmental impact. 

Examples of positive contributions to sustainable 
operations include:

•  Reduced water consumption 

CASE STUDIES

Environmental benefits of AMC Heli-portable 
solids removal unit recognised in arctic 
tundra 

Our AMC HP SRU™ reduced the risk of environmental 
contamination, reduced water consumption and 
increased efficiencies on an environmentally restricted 
site in the North West Territories, Canada.

•  Reduced site footprint and risk of environmental 

Key Benefits

contamination 

•  Reduced energy consumption 

•  Reduced transportation to and from site 

•  Availability of biodegradable packaging 

•  Dust suppression 

•  Enhanced safety, for site personnel and wildlife 

•  Reduced water consumption by 77%

•  Reduced associated pump wear and tear and fuel 

costs

•  Improved drill cuttings management, limiting risk of 

spills

•  Reduced volume of landfill waste

•  Reduced warm water flow back to the lake for 

minimal impact on the ice

•  Minimised transportation costs and runs

•  Allowed drilling in an environmentally sensitive 

location, restricted by permits

•  Improved productivity by reducing frozen water 

pipes and overflowing tanks

•  Environmental benefits recognized by government 

environmental inspectors.

“The SRU™ has substantially lowered our water 
content; this both reduces the volume of material 
transported from the rig and reduces the potential of 
suspended solids to run off in fresh surface waters”

Dave Cox, Site Geologist - Aurora Geoscience

AMC SRU™ saves 147,000L of water  
in 20 days in Chile

An exploration drilling project located on a 
mountainous site in Chile was hindered by limited 
water supply and high logistical costs. Water had  
to be carted by trucks 240km to the project site.  
Our AMC SRU™  assisted by reducing water, mud  
and cartage costs.

Key Benefits

•  US $36,120 minimum saving (20 day trial period)

•  60% reduction in water usage (147,500L in 20 days)

•  65% reduction in cartage costs

•  70% reduction in mud usage

•  Enhanced operational efficiency and productivity

“IMDEX is proud of its 

role in improving the ESG 
position of its clients 
within the mining industry. 

We are committed to 
both our disclosure of 
ESG related risks and 
opportunities. 

We continue to support 
the sustainability of our 

clients’ operations.”

PAUL HOUSE 
IMDEX CEO

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IMDEX LIMITED     ANNUAL REPORT 2020 
 
WORKERS COVERED BY AN 
OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH  
AND SAFETY MANAGEMENT  
SYSTEM

The QHSE Standards cover all employees and 
workers at any of our locations globally and 
everyone is required to adhere to our IMDEX QHSE 
Management System. To enhance the effectiveness 
of this System, an internal audit program is in place 
to target higher risk activities. 

Our seven largest sites around the world are 
independently certified to ISO 9001:2015 and 
OHSAS 18001:2007.  Our objective in FY21 is to 
transition to ISO 45001:2018. 

WORK-RELATED INJURIES

During FY20 there were no fatalities and the most 
common injuries were strains. 

Safety & Employee Wellbeing

SAFETY & EMPLOYEE WELLBEING 

Our HSE team partners with all stakeholders to 
provide trusted advice, support regional needs and 
uphold global standards to eliminate work-related 
injuries and illness. 

Further information regarding our commitment 
to safety can be found in our Health, Safety and 
Environment Policy at the About US > QHSE section 
of our website. 

Key safety initiatives for FY20 

• 

Implementing safety target 
engagement scores

•  Enhancing safety communication

•  Progressing an integrated 

management system (IMS) 
incorporating all support functions

•  Regional IMS compliance audits

•  Additional iAuditor templates to 
enhance the efficiency of safety 
compliance and reporting

•  Enhance existing HSE employee 

training modules

•  Providing a HSE IMS fundamentals 

course

•  Regional incident investigation 

training – incident cause analysis 
method

•  Regional lead auditors training

•  A global manual handling initiative

A notable achievement throughout the year 
included the success of iAuditor to enhance safety 
engagement. Accumulative participation of 100% 
exceeded our target of 75%. Our engagement score 
of 19 also exceeded our target of 6.  

OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH AND 
SAFETY MANAGEMENT SYSTEM

QHSE 18001:2007 Standards are central to our 
IMDEX Management System. These Standards form 
a robust framework to minimise operational risk, 
provide a safe working environment and protect the 
health and wellbeing of our team. 

The QHSE Standards cover anyone who performs 
work at any of our locations, across a range of 
activities including: research and development, 
manufacture and repair, sales, corporate services, 
consultancy and training. 

HAZARD IDENTIFICATION,  
RISK ASSESSMENT AND INCIDENT 
INVESTIGATION

The identification of workplace hazards during 
routine and non-routine tasks is supported by 
online applications, for example Take 5 and Safety 
Observations, together with detailed workplace 
inspections and job safety analysis.

All hazards and incidents are managed via our 
IMDEX Quality Alert system. We have also adopted 
the Incident Cause Analysis Method (ICAM) to 
investigate incidents, identify causal factors and 
implement improvement opportunities.

Leadership is a key part of our safety culture. 
Leaders perform physical and virtual Safety 
Walkthroughs, engage with team members and 
promote safe work practices. 

Insights from Safety Walkthroughs are discussed 
in team meetings, communicated to our global 
group via Safety Alerts and form part of regular 
management reviews. 

Managers are accountable for the risk assessments 
and registers that relate to their teams. All  workers 
are responsible for workplace safety and are 
encouraged to stop if the job is unsafe. 

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39

IMDEX LIMITED     ANNUAL REPORT 2020 
Safety & Employee Wellbeing continued...

OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH SERVICES 
AND TRAINING 

During the year we complemented our confidential 
Employee Assistance Program with an IMDEX 
Wellness Series and other courses on our online 
training platform IMDEX Academy. Courses 
include Safe Driving, Manual Handling, and Mental 
Health Awareness for Managers. 

Other opportunities for safety 
participation and training include:

•  Monthly Health & Safety meetings

•  Our online Quality Alert System

•  Our Digital Workplace, which 
provides mobile access to 
all resources and business 
applications. 

“Everyone at IMDEX 

is a safety leader and 
our behaviours are 
critical to achieving 
zero harm. To work 
safely everyone 
must speak up, 
be accountable, 
demonstrate respect 
and engage in 

decision making.”

SHAUN SOUTHWELL 
IMDEX CHIEF OPERATING 
OFFICER

ABOUT IAUDITOR 

iAuditor is an inspection App 
that will help us raise safety 
and quality standards across 
our global business. The 
highly-customisable App and 
web platform will enable us 
to collect consistent data, 
standardise operations, send 
digital reports, identify failed 
areas and get problems 
resolved – from anywhere on 
any device at any time.  

Our ability to drive and 
measure HSE engagement 
across all facets of our 
business, tailored for their 
work environment, has never 
been greater.

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40

Key benefits and features of 
iAuditor include:

• A user-friendly design;

• Real-time hazard reporting;

• Elimination of paper-based 
checklists, inspections and 
forms;

• Simplified processes, greater 

efficiency and actions 
automatically linked to our 
Quality Alert System;

• Multiple languages including 
English, German, Portuguese 
and Spanish; and

• Flexibility to customise for 

region-specific needs.

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41

IMDEX LIMITED     ANNUAL REPORT 2020 
 
Quality

Our QHSE Management System 
has been developed in line with the 
ISO 45001, ISO 3100 and ISO 9000 
series of management system 
standards and best practices.

These standards and audits 
ensure legal compliance and 
an overarching commitment to 
managing safety, health, quality 
and environmental matters.

ISO 9001:  
2015 standard  
(Quality Management 
System) 

OHSAS 18001:  
(Occupational Health 
and Safety Management 
System)

ISO/IEC 27001:  
2013  
(Information Security) 

ISO/IEC 27001:2013 
CERTIFICATION

During FY20 we achieved ISO/IEC 27001:2013 
certification through SGS – a globally 
renowned inspection, verification, testing and 
certification company.

ISO/IEC 27001:2013 is an international 
information security standard, which is 
recognised in 161 countries.  Our certification 
demonstrates we operate an Information 
Security Management System that is 
compliant with its mandatory requirements, 
have systematic processes for managing 
information security risks, and have 
implemented controls mandated by the 
standard.

Our certification comprises a comprehensive 
range of activities including:

·  Software development processes;

·  The product development life-cycle for its 
real-time subsurface intelligent solutions;

·  Manufacturing and deployment of products 

and technologies;

·  Client support processes; and

·  Information technology systems for 

supporting these activities and digital 
functions.

This was a significant milestone for our 
Company and provides additional assurance 
to clients regarding the end-to-end security 
of their information – for example, ordering 
and dispatch using our Global Digital Rentals 
platform, critical data collection and transfer 
with our award-winning cloud solution 
IMDEXHUB-IQ™ and ongoing support via our 
24/7 Customer Care portal.

“All our stakeholders can 

be confident we have robust 
systems and processes 
in place – which meet the 
highest industry standards 
– to protect their data and 
sensitive information.

Everyone should be very 
proud of this achievement, 
particularly given the 
rigorous nature of the 

auditing process.”

MAT REGAN 
IMDEX CHIEF OF CORPORATE  
SHARED SERVICES

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43

IMDEX LIMITED     ANNUAL REPORT 2020OUR COMPANY HISTORY

COMPANY HISTORY Australian company Pilbara Gold NL incorporated 

December 1980 

Australian company Pilbara Gold NL incorporated 

July 1985 

Pilbara Gold NL changed name to IMDEX Limited

September 1987 

IMDEX Limited listed on the ASX 

1988 

1997 

2001 

2005 

2005 

August 2006 

May 2007 

July 2007 

Formation of Australian Mud Company

Acquisition of Surtron Technologies Pty Ltd and Ace Drilling Supplies

Joint venture formed with IMDEX and Rashid Trading Establishment (RTE) in Saudi 
Arabia July 

Sale of IMDEX Minerals August

Acquisition of African based company Samchem

Acquisition of Swedish based REFLEX Group of Companies and United Kingdom 
based company Chardec 

Acquisition of Swedish based company Flexit

Ace merged with REFLEX. IMDEX finalised the sale of its interest in IMDEX Arabia 
to RTE Acquisition of Canadian based Poly-Drill and a 75% interest in Kazakhstan 
based Suay Energy Services 

October 2007 

Sale of Surtron Technologies 

November 2007 

Acquisition of Chilean based company Southernland 

January 2008 

Acquisition of German based company System Entwicklungs 

July 2008 

Acquisition of the remaining 25% of Kazakhstan based Suay Energy Services

September 2008 

Acquisition of Australian based company Wildcat Chemicals Australia 

July 2010 

New regional structure implemented and business reporting streamlined into 
Minerals and Oil & Gas Divisions 

September 2010 

Acquisition of Australian based companies Fluidstar and Ecospin March 2011 
Acquisition of German based company Mud-Data 

July 2011 

Formation of DHS Services joint venture Acquisition of Australian based company 
Australian Drilling Specialties Pty Ltd 

August 2011 

Acquisition of Brazilian based company System Mud Indústria e Comércio Ltda   

January 2012 

Acquisition of Vaughn Energy Services (VES) by IMDEX’s DHS Services joint venture 

November 2012 

Acquisition of ioGlobal Pty Ltd, ioAnalytics Pty Ltd and ioGlobal Solutions Inc. 
(together ioGlobal) 

December 2012 

DHS Services and Vaughn Energy Services rebranded as VES International

September 2014 

Acquisition of 2iC 

June 2015 

Divestment of Suay Energy Services

2016 

Divestment of AMC Oil & Gas 

January 2018 

Option to acquire Flexidrill Limited and Flexidrill Construction Limited (together 
Flexidrill)

January 2020

Completed acquisition of Flexidrill

July 2020

Completed acquisition of AusSpec International 

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IMDEX LIMITED     ANNUAL REPORT 2020IMDEX LIMITED (IMDEX) 

ABN: 78 008 947 813 

AUSTRALIAN SECURITIES EXCHANGE (ASX)  

LISTING DATE: 24 SEPTEMBER 1987 

ASX CODE: IMD 

REGISTERED & HEAD OFFICE:  

216 BALCATTA ROAD,  

BALCATTA  

WESTERN AUSTRALIA 6021 

REGISTERED PO BOX:  

PO BOX 1262  

OSBORNE PARK  

WESTERN AUSTRALIA 6916 

T +61 (8) 9445 4010 

IMDEX@IMDEXLIMITED.COM 

WWW.IMDEXLIMITED.COM

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