Promoting the ICT Hub in the mineral resources sector

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Image credit: flickr.com User: Americas Quarterly

The establishment of the ICT in Mining and Energy Hub has taken a huge leap forward with the development of twelve project proposals, according to the latest media release by the Government of South Australia.

Image credit: flickr.com User: Americas Quarterly
Image credit: flickr.com User: Americas Quarterly

A group of the state’s leading information and communication technology (ICT) businessmen met at a round table in Adelaide last month to pave the way for the development and establishment of the hub.

Tom Koutsantonis, Minister for Mineral Resources, said the round table was a key step in the process of creating industry connections needed to build a stronger Australia.

“Information technology is an essential part of modern mining activity. If we can improve this technology and especially how it is delivered to companies then we can potentially increase productivity and provide cost-saving solutions for our minerals and energy sectors in South Australia that can then be adopted globally,” said Mr. Koutsantonis.

“The ICT in Mining and Energy Hub is all about growing innovative, global businesses here in South Australia to service the mining and energy industry and create jobs along the way,” he added.

Adertisement

The project proposals include a collaborative center for remote monitoring and coordination of operations from Adelaide and a South Australian Resource Information Exchange aimed at increasing transparency or information between government, industry and the community.

The ICT hub will be part of the new Centre of Excellence for Minerals and Energy. The Centre is developed by the Government of South Australia and is supported by BHP Billiton and Santos.

Steve Rowe, Chair of the Australian Information Industry Association’s Mining & Energy special interest Group and CEO of South Australian ICT firm SRA IT, confirmed that the ICT industry is impressed by the South Australian Government’s global and Australia-wide insight.

“The hub is not only about addressing the cost and productivity challenges faced by Mining and Energy ventures here in South Australia, it’s as much about seeing proven and scalable South Australian ICT innovation applied to markets outside of the state,” Mr. Rowe said.

Mr. Rowe further adds that the hub is providing a well-guided vehicle for South Australian ICT firms to identify and partner with relevant ICT firms in other locations who form a key part of the supply chain into the Mining and Energy sectors.