Mines and Petroleum Minister David Michael has launched the METS Innovation Program to help Mining Equipment, Technology and Services (METS) companies in developing and commercialising new technologies for the Western Australian (WA) mining sector.
The METS Innovation Program, led by the Minerals Research Institute of Western Australia (MRIWA), aims to increase support for METS companies servicing the local sector.
“Western Australia’s mining sector is a world-leading, and continued R&D is critical to ensuring the State is well positioned as global supply chains transition to cleaner and more innovative solutions,” Minister Michael said.
“The METS sector plays an important part in the mining innovation lifecycle. These companies can translate new knowledge created through research into the required solutions which can be readily adopted by the mining industry,” the Minister added.
The program aims to assist METS companies in achieving the success of the recent WA Innovator of the Year, Portable PPB.
Portable PPB’s detectORETM technology, which is supported by MRIWA research funding, enables speedy decision-making in the field when exploring for gold.
The new $3 million funding program for industry-led METS-related research projects includes a grant scheme with up to $250,000 in matched funding for qualified companies, as well as project facilitation assistance for collaborative initiatives.
The program will help to develop innovative technologies in MRIWA’s strategic priority areas, such as low-emissions technologies, precision and low-impact mining, critical minerals, and alternative tailings and waste management.
