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  Mackay innovators head to Canberra to be part of Modern Mining Technology Showcase

  The showcase is part of the Minerals Council of Australia’s Minerals Week 2019 and will include displays and demonstrations of mining technology being used today at Australian mine sites including robotics, drones, data science, virtual/augmented reality, components and more.

  Resource Industry Network, together with the Greater Whitsunday Alliance, will travel with representatives from the local mining services sector including Mackay-based Linked Group Services, TEAM Group, Mackay Conveyor Equipment, and Artemis.

  Resource Industry Network general manager Adrienne Rourke says the Canberra event is another opportunity for Mackay’s METS businesses to demonstrate their innovation prowess.

  “Mackay is a leading global METS hub with world-class innovations. The Canberra event allows us to raise more awareness of our capabilities and capacity as a sector, as well as show off specific individual innovations from local METS businesses.

  “The Modern Mining Technology Showcase is one of six national showcases that Resource Industry Network will be participating in during 2019, so if there are any other businesses interested in participating, they should contact us soon,” Ms Rourke said.

  As an example of the innovations that will be on show, award-winning Mackay business Linked Group Services will be showcasing its EcoPort that provides both shelter and solar power generation, while Mackay Conveyor Equipment will demonstrate the efficiency, safety and productivity benefits of its Wombelt and Jibaroo products.

  *ENDS*

  Caption: Resource Industry Network general manager Adrienne Rourke will travel with a group of innovative Mackay businesses to the Modern Mining Technology Showcase to raise awareness of Mackay’s world-class engineering, industrial and technology hub.

  For further information, please contact:

  Communications Officer

  Jodie Thompson

  P: 07 4952 4184

  M: 0408 638 968

  Email: comms@resourceindustrynetwork.org.au

• 

  Local METS sector encouraged to enter 2019 RIN Awards

  With nominations closing in less than two weeks, Resource Industry Network (RIN) is urging businesses to take the time to prepare their nominations for the seven categories on offer.

  The awards firmly place the region’s resource sector in the spotlight, and with so many challenges facing businesses on a daily basis, the event is a positive way to celebrate the many accomplishments happening in the resources sector and a cost-effective way to gain exposure for your business.

  The awards are free to enter as many times as you like and nominees benefit enormously through recognition with buyers, stakeholders and government.

  Last year’s Out of the Box category winner, Ryan Norris from Vayeron, said the awards had contributed to his company’s subsequent success and had opened doors to key personnel in the industry.

  “Winning the Out of the Box category at last year's RIN awards was fantastic recognition for our company. The exposure was invaluable and far reaching. I have had people contact me from North America saying they saw our win on social media and are keen to know more. There were also people in the room on the night from mining companies that we have been wanting to connect with and the Award helped make that happen, with a number of opportunities now open to us,” Mr Norris said.

  The awards provide an opportunity to step back from day-to day-business activity and make a valued assessment on the achievements of your organisation and staff, as well as recognise staff for the effort they have contributed to your organisation.

  Finalists this year will be judged by an impressive line-up of industry leaders including:

  • Mike Fidel - GM at BMA Broadmeadow
  • Paul Antich – Project Manager at Adani Mining Australia
  • Dawid Pretorius - Director of Operations, Glencore Coal Assets Australia
  • Mathew Gray - Partner, KPMG
  • Caoilin Chestnutt - Resources Investment Commissioner, Department of Natural Resources, Mines & Energy
  • Ged Welsh - Regional Director, North Queensland, HAYS
  • Todd Harrington - Project Director, Whitehaven Coal Limited

  The 2019 award categories include:

  • Chasing Foreign Markets Award
  • Champion Culture Award
  • Out of the Box Award
  • Safety Foremost Award
  • Connecting in the Community Award
  • Standing out from the Crowd Award
  • Striving for Diversity Award

  Established in 2008, the awards showcase excellence in business and the significant contribution that they make to the regional economy and community.

  *ENDS*

  2019 RIN AWARDS NOMINATIONS

  NOMINATIONS CLOSE:                                      April 15, 2019 at 5pm
  DOWNLOAD NOMINATION FORM AT:          https://www.resourceindustrynetwork.org.au/Signature-Events/RIN-Awards

  2019 RIN AWARDS GALA DINNER
  AWARDS NIGHT:                                                 May 17, 2019
  WHERE:                                                                 Mackay Entertainment and Convention Centre
  TIME:                                                                     6:00pm

   

  For further information, please contact:
  RIN Communications Officer
  Jodie Thompson
  P: 07 4952 4184
  M: 0408 638 968
  Email: comms@resourceindustrynetwork.org.au

• FUNDING BOOST FOR METS SME EXPORT HUB FOR THE MACKAY ISAAC WHITSUNDAY REGION

  The SME Export Hub funding from the Australian Government provided grants from $150,000 to $1.5 million to help establish and/or operate Small and Medium Enterprises (SME) Export Hubs in the six Australian Government Growth Centre sectors. The export hubs will work with the Australian Government Growth Centres to facilitate SME export opportunities.

  The Local Buying Foundation and Queensland Government have also provided the matched funding of $353k funding with a total investment of $706,840 for a two-stage project development over the next three years.

  The application for funding was lodged through the Resource Industry Network International Trade Committee, made up of Greater Whitsunday Alliance (GW3), Resources Industry Network (RIN), Regional Development Australia Mackay Issac Whitsunday (RDA MIW), Trade and Investment Queensland and Mackay Regional Council.

  Stage 1 of the project is a regional export and international target market analysis. The analysis will incorporate SME participant identification and capability mapping. The analysis will inform the development of an export strategy for the MIW METS sector.

  Stage 2 will be the engagement of a MIW METS Export Hub manager that will drive the implementation of the export strategy and provide professional support and direction to the METS Export Hub participants. A qualified consultant will then be engaged to undertake the market analysis and mapping as well as develop the export strategy. During this stage (6 to 9 months) recruitment for a MIW SME export manager will take place.

  RIN General Manager Adrienne Rourke said the Mackay-Isaac-Whitsunday Region has had an informal METS and advanced manufacturing export-focused consortia since 2003 through the Resource Industry Network International Trade Committee. The Committee intends to leverage the funding and establish a more formal export hub with a dedicated resource to drive the delivery of export focused opportunities.

  “MIW METS Export Hub will be incorporated into the new MIW Resources Centre of Excellence that has secured funding from the Queensland Government and Mackay Regional Council,” Ms Rourke said.

  “The innovation, training and development facility is currently in the final detailed design process and looking to commence construction in 2019. The facility will be managed by Resource Industry Network and the SME Export Manager would be a critical function of the Resources Centre of Excellence.”

  Member for Dawson George Christensen welcomed the investment into the region’s leading METS sector.

  “This is a fantastic boost for our world-class Mining Equipment Technology and Services sector and it will not only increase our opportunities for export, it will create jobs into the future for our region,” Mr Christensen said.
  “I congratulate all those involved in this export hub for their vision and hard work to put us on the map as leaders in this field.”

  The export hub will be based in Mackay, but will service opportunities across the entire Bowen, Galilee and Surat Basin resources sectors.

  The aims of establishing and MIW METS SME Export Hub include:

  - Development and implementation of a targeted export strategy for the MIW METS Sector

  - Dedicated resource to foster and drive export focused activities

  - Acceleration and commercialisation of export pathways

  - Identification of a wider ecosystem of potential participants

  - Greater access to export specific training, market intelligence and financial support

  - Establish the MIW METS brand as innovative, responsive and globally competitive

  - Current and future international market analysis

  - Better informed, educated and trained METS SME stakeholders in the export function and markets

  - Establish the MIW METS sector as a centre for world’s best practice in global resource supply chains

  *ENDS

  For more information please contact RIN Communications Officer: Jodie Thompson 0408 638 968 or comms@resourceindustrynetwork.org.au

• Resource Industry Network welcomes BHP announcement to implement 30-day payment terms for its supply chain

  Resource Industry Network (RIN) has welcomed today’s announcement that BHP and its largest coal business BMA, will be implementing 30-day payment terms for its regional supply chain starting December 1^st.

  RIN general manager Adrienne Rourke says the announcement is good news for regionally-based businesses in the resources supply chain and will help in reducing the use of debt to fund operating costs, making businesses more resilient and responsive to market changes.

  The announcement means a further 256 Mackay businesses will now be on 30-day payment terms, a sizeable increase from the current 89 existing local vendors.

  “By making this change to its procurement policies, BHP has demonstrated that it values the communities in which they have a footprint and wants those local suppliers to grow stronger businesses,” Ms Rourke said.

  “Resource Industry Network would like to acknowledge BHP for listening and responding to its supply chain.

  “Businesses will be better able to fund intangible inputs such as research and development, and training. These drive the innovation that our sector is famous for,” she added.

  “Resource Industry Network has led the discussion on this topic and we are proud of the work our team has done on raising awareness of the impacts of extended payment terms on regional economies.

  “We pursued the issue because the overwhelming majority of our membership wanted us to lead the way and highlight the impacts of extended payment terms on individual businesses, as well as local economies.

  “The decision by BHP today is good news for the resources supply chain, and for regional Australia,” she said.

  A research report, commissioned by RIN and prepared by Lytton Advisory, has shown that 30-day payment terms increase the opportunities for local jobs, investment in innovation, and money spent in regional communities.

  As a peak industry body for the METS sector, RIN has been highlighting the benefits that 30-day or less payment terms have on the supply chain and regional economies, as part of our role in representing the interests of our members and the sector.

  *ENDS*

  Supporting Information - Download the Lytton Advisory report

   

  For further information, please contact:

  RIN Communications Officer

  Jodie Thompson

  P: 07 4952 4184

  M: 0408 638 968

  Email: comms@resourceindustrynetwork.org.au

• RIN says agreed timeframes for Carmichael Mine are a positive step towards market confidence

  Resource Industry Network (RIN) has welcomed the announcement of clear-cut deadlines for the Carmichael Mine project in the Galilee Basin.

  Resource Industry Network general manager Adrienne Rourke said today’s announcement of decision timeframes for the finalisation of Adani’s Black-Throated Finch Management Plan and Groundwater Dependent Ecosystem Management Plan was a confidence boost for regional businesses.

  “We are glad to hear that Adani has received clear messages when it comes to decision timeframes on these plans,” Ms Rourke said.

  “It’s clear what needs to be done and we are glad to see some transparency on this issue.

  “As a region that is a major supplier of mining services to the Bowen Basin, and the impending Galilee Basin, it is great to see the timeframes in place and businesses start to gain confidence,” Ms Rourke added.

  “This is another step closer to increasing Queensland’s ranking as a mining investment destination, and securing a future for many Queenslanders.”

  Ms Rourke also urged the State Government to think hard before implementing any changes to mining royalty tax rates.

  “We don’t want to see a brake put on mining. But if royalty rates increase, we fear this is exactly what will happen. We want the Premier to know what the Central and North Queensland regions can contribute to the economic prosperity of the State while continuing to provide solutions for the industry into the future,” Ms Rourke said.

  *ENDS*

  For further information, please contact:

  RIN Communications Officer

  Jodie Thompson

  P: 07 4952 4184

  M: 0408 638 968

  Email: comms@resourceindustrynetwork.org.au

   

• 

  RIN urges prompt action on mine approval

  Resource Industry Network (RIN) says swift action is required now that the State Government has heard the resonating voice of regional Queensland.

  In response to Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk’s visit to Mackay today, Resource Industry Network has called for words to be turned into swift actions on the Carmichael Mine so regional Queensland can get on with doing what they do best.

  RIN director Mick Crowe said it was fantastic to see the Premier in Mackay today focusing on coal and Queenslanders because that was exactly what was required to attract investment.

  However, Mr Crowe cautiously added: “Let’s be very clear about this. The timeframe for these approvals should be short, days not months. We’ve had a statement from the Premier, now we need to see action and we need jobs now.”

  “There is gear sitting out in the Galilee Basin ready to roll. There is an opportunity for a boost for this region, how investors see Queensland, and how the world views us as a reliable supplier of quality coal.

  “We are very good at mining up here. We can work with the black-throated finch and we are not going to destroy the Great Artesian Basin. We already operate 26 world-class coal mines in Queensland and the finch and the water table have been looked after.

  “If this was a State of Origin match, our Central Queensland community is lined up on the sideline, the crowd is in the stadium, and we are just waiting for the Government to blow the whistle.

  “Blow that whistle and we’ll get on that paddock and we’ll do everything right. We’ll look after the environment, jobs, and the long-term future for Queensland,” Mr Crowe added.

  RIN general manager Adrienne Rourke also urged the State Government to think hard before implementing any changes to mining royalty tax rates.

  “We don’t want to see a brake put on mining. But if royalty rates increase, we fear this is exactly what will happen. We want the Premier to know what the Central and North Queensland regions can contribute to the economic prosperity of the State while continuing to provide solutions for the industry into the future,” Ms Rourke said.

   

  *ENDS*

   

  For further information, please contact:

  RIN Communications Officer

  Jodie Thompson

  P: 07 4952 4184

  M: 0408 638 968

  Email: comms@resourceindustrynetwork.org.au