Mines and Petroleum Minister Bill Johnston officially launched the inaugural Austmine WA METS Digital Mining Export Hub in Port Hedland, putting Western Australia’s Mining Equipment, Technology and Services sector in the spotlight.
Mines and Petroleum Minister Bill Johnston said: “Today’s launch of Austmine’s WA METS Digital Mining Export Hub is groundbreaking for the local METS sector, and a fantastic result for Western Australia.Western Australia’s mining technology is world-leading, and the hub will enable these local companies to provide their services across the globe.The export hub will not only be vital in supporting the State’s recovery, post-COVID-19, but will also be a boost to jobs and our local economies.”
The virtual hub will enable the State to build export capacity, knowledge and opportunities between regional, remote and metropolitan small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs).
On 4th Sep launch featured the first of a series of outreach activities designed to engage with the 1,700 METS businesses throughout the State.
This includes mapping the SMEs’ METS capabilities in WA, developing an Austmine export strategy, capability-development programs and promoting WA METS to the world.
The virtual hub aims to initially provide services in Port Hedland, Karratha, Newman, Kalgoorlie and Bunbury.
- Bunbury: supporting coal and alumina mining
- Kalgoorlie: supporting gold and new energy minerals extraction, operations and processing
- Newman: supporting hard rock mining focused on iron ore
- Karratha: supporting iron ore mining and energy
- Port Hedland: supporting port services as well as iron ore mining
METS businesses are a vital part of the resource sector supply chain, and contributed an estimated $27 billion to the WA economy in 2018-19.
The WA Government has committed $350,000 and in-kind support worth $50,000, through Invest and Trade WA, to establish this initiative.
What Does the Export Hub Provide?
The Western Australian Export Hub Lead will work with the Hub members in the above regions to understand individual and regional strengths and capabilities. The Lead will provide or arrange export advice and guidance, training and mentoring depending on an individual company’s needs. Capabilities will then be matched to overseas market opportunities and connections developed between those markets and the Hub members. This includes:
- Virtual Mentoring – Increasing collaboration in the METS sector to accelerate key learnings for new and growing exporters from those who have been there and done that.
- Export Advice and Guidance – On-line tools and linkages, and referrals to other relevant, existing training and business support programs.
- Export Capability Training – Based on participant needs and tailored to industry trends and market opportunities.
- Intensive Training – Focussed on capturing specific export opportunities.
Why Join the Western Australian METS Digital Mining Export Hub?
- The opportunity to network with other like-minded companies who are already export-focused or who are aiming to be
- The opportunity to learn from companies with strong digital offerings – within your region, in other regions or in metropolitan areas
- Access to first-hand information regarding miners’ digital programs to understand where the opportunities are for your company
- Make contacts with existing exporters to leverage global experience
- Virtual mentoring from those who have been there done that
- Individually tailored export training and advice
- Links to other Government programs and funding
- Representation at global mining events
- Links to real global market opportunities and introductions
For more information, click here
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