Mining technology plan drives decade of jobs growth

The Palaszczuk Government today set out an ambitious plan to generate more than 3000 extra jobs over the next decade in the world-leading mining technology sector.

State Development Minister Dr Anthony Lynham released a 10-year action plan to make the state’s existing $7 billion mining equipment, technology and services (METS) sector a world leader.

“Resources companies are under increasing pressure to provide the world with mineral and energy resources more cheaply and with better environmental outcomes,” he said.

“Queensland’s companies are already providing the world with the know-how they need, but with the right government support, there’s so many more opportunities we can make ours.

“This action plan will lay the groundwork for the mining technology sector’s next wave of growth.”

Launching the Queensland METS 10-Year Roadmap and Action Plan, Minister for State Development Dr Anthony Lynham outlined the key strategies to grow the sector, which already employs 19,500 people statewide.

The roadmap’s initiatives will:

• make it easier for companies to turn their ideas into commercial products for market
• increase collaboration between researchers, miners and METS companies so that they are all working on solutions to industry’s current pressing challenges
• upgrade METS companies’ capability in innovation, business management, and marketing.

Speaking at Core at Albion, one of the many Queensland companies who contributed to the development of the action plan, Dr Lynham said among the initiatives would be a Mackay innovation pilot to focus researchers, METS companies and miners on the Bowen Basin.

“Local miners will identify their challenges, and the researchers and mining technology companies will work together to develop Bowen Basin-specific solutions,” he said.

“If the pilot works, we will apply it in other mining technology centres round the state.”

Other initiatives include:

• a mentoring program that helps companies turn their ideas into commercial products
• a stocktake of the state’s existing and potential testing facilities to identify where METS companies can test their new products, processes or services
• an energy and resources technology networking statewide series to bring together miners and METS companies to share information about new technology
• a new energy-measuring tool that will help METS companies develop energy-efficient products and services
• a centre at QUT in Brisbane to develop management capabilities and business models for METS companies.

The action plan is backed by a $7 million METS-specific investment, as well the $420 million Advance Queensland initiatives.

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Media Contact: Benjamin Mulcahy 0419 562 389

Eds: Download mining technology images from the roadmap at the Department of State Development media centre.