APCOM is a peer-reviewed forum for industrial and research communities working in the mineral industry to share expertise on the application of computer and operations research technology. Recognized since the 1960s as the worlda (TM)s premier conference in the field, APCOM features an impressive range of topics from geostatistics to data warehousing. APCOM 2005 builds on this reputation, showcasing the latest industrial applications and emerging technologies, focusing particularly on mobilizing the inherent value in largely under-used data and information systems, and how these data systems cab be analyzed for real-time or process-based improvements.