RocketDNA Secures Dual BARS Gold Certification, Advances Rio Tinto Pilot Amid Revenue Dip

Safety Milestone Sets RocketDNA Apart

RocketDNA Ltd has marked a significant safety and compliance milestone by becoming the first known drone operator to simultaneously secure BARS Gold Certification in both Australia and Africa. Achieved under the stringent Comprehensive Audit Stream, this dual certification was awarded with zero audit findings, underscoring RocketDNA’s leadership in operational safety within the high-stakes mining sector. The Basic Aviation Risk Standard (BARS) is a benchmark widely adopted by Tier-1 miners such as Rio Tinto and BHP, making this achievement a powerful endorsement of RocketDNA’s safety systems and operational maturity.

Advancing Autonomous Operations with Rio Tinto

Building on a successful technology trial in late 2024, RocketDNA has formalised a pilot project deploying its autonomous xBot® drones at Rio Tinto’s Gudai-Darri iron ore mine in Western Australia’s Pilbara region. This mine is renowned for its technological sophistication, making it an ideal proving ground for RocketDNA’s autonomous drone solutions. The pilot encompasses operational workflows including pit surveillance, haul road monitoring, and environmental compliance, with Rio Tinto investing resources and infrastructure to support the trial. The outcome could pave the way for broader adoption of autonomous drone services across Rio Tinto’s extensive network.

Revenue Decline Reflects Contract Adjustments, Underlying Growth Persists

RocketDNA reported $1.661 million in revenue for the March 2025 quarter, a 19% decrease from the previous quarter and a 4% decline year-on-year. This drop primarily stems from a contract scope reduction with Anglo American and a decrease in ad-hoc project work. However, underlying xBot® service and hardware rental revenue increased by $81,000, including a notable 39% uplift in Australia compared to Q4 2024. The company has strategically rightsized its African operations to align costs with the revised contract scope, maintaining profitability in its largest revenue region while focusing on scalable xBot® growth.

Infrastructure Investment Supports 24/7 Autonomous Missions

Post-quarter, RocketDNA completed the fit-out of a new flagship Remote Operating Centre (ROC) in Osborne Park, Perth. This purpose-built facility enables 24/7 remote piloting and monitoring of xBot® autonomous drones across Australia and internationally, fully compliant with CASA regulations for Beyond Visual Line of Sight (BVLOS) operations. The ROC complements existing centres in Adelaide and Johannesburg, enhancing RocketDNA’s operational agility and capacity to deliver continuous support to Tier-1 mining clients and emergency services without on-site personnel.

Looking Ahead: Scaling Autonomous Drone Services

Despite the revenue headwinds, RocketDNA’s CEO Christopher Clark expressed confidence in the company’s trajectory, citing a growing sales pipeline and positive feedback from Tier-1 mining and critical infrastructure customers. The ongoing Rio Tinto pilot and expansion into the Kamoa Copper project signal strong market validation. With world-leading safety credentials and scalable technology, RocketDNA is positioning itself for sustained growth and profitability in the autonomous drone services sector.