IBM iX and Royal Dutch Shell have partnered to create Oren, a newly launched “global B2B digital mining services marketplace platform” that acts as a hub for mining services and a library of best practices for mining companies.

The pair of companies positions this platform as something that will assist mining businesses improve aspects of their mine-to-port activities. Predictive maintenance and fleet analytics software found on the platform, for example, will help mining businesses manage their vehicular assets more efficiently. Similarly, shipping and logistics tracking and scheduling software should ensure supply chains operate smoothly.

Decarbonization and environmental applications are also expected become a large part of Oren’s marketplace offerings.

While some of the technology solutions offered on the platform will come from Shell and IBM, they will be listed along offerings from other providers, including small companies and start-ups.

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“It is generally very hard for a start-up to work with a corporate,” said Saskia Mureau, general manager of digital innovation, Shell Global Commercial. “Oren will help them find new revenues, it will forge partnerships and it will offer them digital tools to assess how their proposals are being received.” 

As of the launch, Oren officials said there are 30 different solutions listed in its marketplace, but promised there are 150 “in the funnel.” Among the companies currently part of Oren platform are MachineMax, which offers cloud-based fleet optimization tools for off-road vehicles, Hydrox Holdings, a hydrogen-production company, RedEye, an engineering drawing and drafting management tool provider and  Envirosuite, which offers a number of products including blast management and environmental compliance tools.

Additionally, mining companies will be able to request consulting services through Oren and have IBM and Shell offer advice on how to integrate tools found in the marketplace into their operations.

The platform is being run on the “freemium” model, so mining companies can join without cost, set up a profile and do things such as searching through the articles to find how-to tips and best practices or browse through the marketplace. Other features will be offered at a cost. Solutions providers will pay a listing fee to be part of the marketplace and transaction fee when businesses purchase their services or products.