Case Study: Kestrel Coal: AI-Powered Safety Modernisation

Geoffrey Grundy  ⋅  September 08, 2025

Mining is one of the world’s most high-stakes industries, where accurate and up-to-date information is critical to keeping people safe. Kestrel Coal wanted to improve their processes for capturing, analysing, and sharing safety information across the workforce. By harnessing AI, we replaced manual data entry and processes with an automated safety information system that delivers ROI and, most importantly, helps protect people. This project shows what’s possible when technology and humanity are aligned with purpose.

The Challenge

Kestrel Coal relied on manual data entry and records to develop safety briefings. This made it difficult to extract insights, share information quickly, and keep teams up to date across hazards. The mine needed a modern solution that would improve efficiency while ensuring accessibility for its diverse workforce.

Our Solution

Cadent designed and delivered a platform powered by AI, built to:

  • Automate data ingestion from multiple formats and sources.
  • Provide on-demand insights via a natural-language AI chatbot.
  • Generate customised “Toolbox Talks” drawn directly from incident data.
  • Centralise incident records into a single, searchable safety database.

We used an agile approach, iterating closely with stakeholders to ensure the system was intuitive, scalable, and aligned with safety-critical requirements.

The Impact

The AI-powered safety platform has transformed operations at Kestrel Coal:

  • Efficiency gains from automated document ingestion and analysis.
  • Greater accessibility with instant, chatbot-driven answers to safety queries.
  • Stronger safety culture by equipping staff with timely, relevant resources.
  • Actionable insights through trend and root-cause analysis to guide interventions.

Why It Matters

For Cadent, this project exemplifies how responsible AI can empower people rather than replace them. By modernising safety management, Kestrel Coal has created a safer, more proactive workplace and a blueprint for how mining and heavy industry can harness AI responsibly.