Investment into mining sector jobs

JULY 26, 2018: JOBS Minister Michaelia Cash is in Mackay today to award innovators in mining and related industries, with four  recipients receiving $500,000 which, when matched with industry funding, represents an investment of $1.14 million in our region.I joined Minister Cash and Minister for Resources and Northern Australia Matt Canavan to congratulate recipients.Minister Michaelia Cash said the METS Industry Growth Centre is about industry setting its own plan for growing itself.“The Government is providing connections and funding, matched by industry, to make these plans a reality,” Minister Cash said.“Australia’s mining services sector is an $86 billion dollar industry that employs around 300,000 people. It creates jobs, builds skills, and attracts investment supporting more Australian jobs.”The recipients are:$200,000 ($400,000 project) - MyneSight with industry partners Techserve, Mastermyne and MIRI, who have developed an underground mining simulator designed to make it quicker and easier for people to train for a job in the mining industry.  The company’s simulator-based training has already reduced the time it takes to go from an inexperienced miner to being operational at the ‘coal-face’ by 30 per cent. MyneSight aim is to create a mining centre of excellence in Mackay, with this state-of-the-art underground simulator as the centrepiece.$100,000 ($320,000 project) - Active Adrenalin  working with Nutricula Psychology to develop a “new” set of measures, including an employee mental health and wellness measurement tool, to promote safety culture across a range of industries.$100,000 ($300,000 project) - Split Spaces to establish a rapid prototyping service to assist innovation in the mining industry. Split Spaces will be collaborating with Central Queensland University, LED Design Group Engineering, JET Engineering and JSIS Engineering.$100,000 ($200,000 project) - Macdonald Cordell, to lead the development of an onsite test at Hay Point Coal Handling Facility. Macdonald Cordell will work with BMA and Aurecon Group to develop the testing facility.Minister for Resources and Northern Australia, Senator Matt Canavan said Central Queensland is meeting the strong global demand for coal.“Australia produces more than half the world’s metallurgical coal exports, and most of that comes from Queensland,” Senator Canavan said.“That coal is essential for building bridges, buildings, railroads and even wind turbines.”“The latest forecasts show met coal exports will grow from 182 million tonnes this financial year to 200 million tonnes in 2019-20 – underscoring the need for further investment in training.”There are 43 operating coal mines employing 18,800 people.The success of Australia’s resources industry relies on our strong mining services sector, which set a new record of $226 billion in our resource and energy exports last financial year.Apply now for the METS Ignited Project Fund ‘Tranche III’ at www.metsignited.orgApplications close on 31 August 2018.