Queensland’s METS Sector Accelerator: Leading the Charge Towards a Sustainable Future
12 Queensland mining technology start-up and scale-ups pitch to VCs and industry.
Accelerator program gives businesses a competitive market edge.
METS sector: cornerstone of Queensland’s growing knowledge economy
Queensland's mining equipment, technology, and services (METS) sector is at the forefront of developing cost-effective technologies and services to meet the diverse needs of mining and resource companies both in Australia and internationally.
Quantum TX Program Director, Kylah Morrison said, “The growth of analytics and robotics capabilities in the resources sector alone is predicted to add an estimated A$74 billion to the Australia’s economy by 2030 and create 80,000 new jobs.”
Renowned for its world-leading safety, mine site rehabilitation, and remediation processes, as well as advanced knowledge and technology, the METS sector plays a crucial role in the energy transition.
The target of net zero emissions by 2050 will create increased demand for the state’s world-class critical minerals unlocking exciting investment opportunities for Queensland’s METS sector.
The state’s ambitious mining technology companies pitched their cutting-edge products and services to industry reps, venture capitalists and government officials at the annual QuantumTX Accelerator Showcase in collaboration with the Queensland State Government.
Minister for State Development and Infrastructure Grace Grace said the Queensland Government had provided more than $10 million in support to the Queensland mining equipment, technology and services (METS) sector since the initiation of the METS 10 Year Roadmap and Action Plan in 2017.
“We are helping use Queensland’s existing expertise in the resources sector to create new, renewable industries and shape the jobs of the future,” Minister Grace said.
“By bringing the best minds in business and research together, we are building partnerships and knowledge sharing, to address the complex challenges in the METS sector.
“We are backing Queensland’s METS companies with new pathways to innovate, so the state can continue to lead the development of responsible solutions for the global energy and resources industries.”
The 12-week intensive QuantumTX 2024 Queensland METS Technology Incubator Program provides participants with invaluable business training, mentoring, and resources to the value of $25,000 each.
“Brisbane is widely regarded as the ‘Silicon Valley’ of mining innovation. Mackay is recognised as a METS Innovation Hub. Queensland METS sector is addressing labour and skills shortages, understanding and responding to decarbonisation drivers and strengthening the resilience of domestic and international supply chains,” said Brendan Rutherford, Principal Trade & Investment Officer at Trade & Investment Queensland.
The 2024 cohort showcased a remarkable array of talents and technologies:
• WorkbenchX: Facilitating the industrial circular economy.
• Mineral Technologies: Renowned mineral processing solutions.
• Mining3: A pioneer in mining technology and innovation.
• Underground Wireless Sensing: A world’s first solution using fibre-optic sensing.
• Universal Field Robots (UFR): Specialising in industrial robotics and automation.
• Evocativ Mental Fitness: Addressing mental health in the mining and construction sectors.
• Mechanize Pty Ltd: Innovating equipment design of automated tyre replacement system.
• Quick Safety Pty Ltd: Ensuring electrical safety, through compliance and risk mitigation.
• STEM Punks Education Pty Ltd: Inspiring the next generation through learning.
• Sprint Digital: Building custom software, digital products and automating workflows.
• Illuminate FNQ: A First Nations start up using evidence based STEM models in community.
• Mining Skills Australia: Developing animated and mixed realities to build competency.
“Having developed a provisional patent on our technology, we’re now seeking funding to develop a prototype that can be tested on site. The Quantum TX program facilitated introductions to mining representatives which lead to follow up conversations about testing out product once we’ve built the prototype.”
- Brett & Jake Salomon from Mechanize.
“The connections facilitated and information shared on Quantum TX has been invaluable. We are extremely grateful to be included on this cohort to showcase the opportunities that exist to leverage First Nations wisdom as well as evidence based science and research to build STEM capabilities in our regions.”
- Sharon Cavanagh-Luskin from Illuminate-FNQ
The METS sector is a significant contributor to Queensland’s economy, generating more than $7 billion in gross revenue. It supports a substantial number of the 26,700 METS jobs in Queensland, many of which are in the technical, scientific, and professional services arenas.
The QuantumTX Program supports innovative SMEs or scale-ups addressing challenges in the mining, future energy, defence, space and oil and gas sectors.
Queensland’s METS Quantum TX accelerator programs equip emerging METS businesses with the necessary skills to commercialise their ideas. The Queensland Government investment, through the implementation of the actions in the Queensland Resources Industry Development Plan, delivers these programs which provide Queensland METS businesses with a competitive market edge.