In a statement released ahead of the AIMEX Mining Exhibition from 29-31 August in Sydney, Australia, the organisers state: “The mining industry has experienced a number of challenges over recent times but these challenges have born new ways of operating for mining companies and the suppliers who service them. For mining companies, soaring operating costs and falling commodity prices placed significant pressure on mine sites which meant they were no longer able to operate solely on their terms. In order to succeed in the new market conditions they were experiencing, mining companies needed to work in partnership with their suppliers and look at new avenues for answers.”

They add: “The willingness to look outside traditional frameworks spawned pioneering events like ‘hackathons’, online challenges and technology accelerators that target both current mining suppliers as well as companies and individuals from different sectors. The Australian METS sector also benefited significantly from the development of government funded initiatives like METS Ignited and the NSW Energy and Resource Hub which are focused on showcasing the diverse capabilities of Australian suppliers in this sector. There has never been more opportunity for partnership and collaboration and having forums that foster these abilities continue to drive innovation for the industry.”