Manufacturing flagship deputy director Cathy Foley and research scientist Keith Leslie were both recognised with the Clunies Ross award, which acknowledges innovation in technological science and engineering.

The researchers won the award for their work on the LANDTEM exploration tool, which can be used to detect highly conductive ores like nickel sulphides, gold and silver.

LANDTEM uses sensitive magnetic sensors, known as superconducting quantum interference devices, to differentiate target ore from other conductive material or overburden.

It was developed and commercialised in collaboration with BHP Billiton and former Canadian mining company, Falconbridge.

Now it’s licenced to Australian company Outer-Rim Exploration Services and is used extensively in Western Australia and elsewhere.

The CSIRO said one company in Canada cut its exploration costs by 30% using the tool, which has led to discoveries on more than four continents.

Foley and Leslie have both been focused on improving the sensitivity of LANDTEM, and recently developed a new version to detect ore bodies deeper underground.