The Western Australian mining sector is to benefit from an injection of over $1 million into drone technology to speed data analysis, reduce field work time in remote regions like the Pilbara and improve safety risk to workers. It is just one of eight new and innovative projects to be awarded a share of over $7 million Mining Equipment, Technology and Services (METS) Growth Centre Ignited Project Fund.
The drone technology is designed by Western Australian business Emapper, to do the necessary environmental mapping required for any mine site, reducing the need for workers to be out in the extreme weather conditions or among the 27 species of venomous snakes and other predators found in the Pilbara.
In this round of funding, the second provided through the METS Ignited Project Fund, the $7 million investment by the Turnbull Government has been matched by industry, for a total investment of almost $17 million.
Minister for Jobs and Innovation Michaelia Cash said the successful projects reflected the important role of collaboration and improved competitiveness of the nation’s METS industry.
“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.