Robert Trzebski, International Business Director at Austmine, reviews the origin and evolution of the organization that represents Australian METS.
By Panorama Minero
What is Austmine and which is its purpose?
Austmine is an industry association, private organisation, a membership organisation for what we call the Mining Equipment Technology and Services sector, METS. So basically we represent the mining suppliers of technology services and equipment.
We have 800 corporate members, companies that are within the entire value chain of the mining industry, from large organisations like Komatsu, Orica, international players and startups. So we basically cover the whole range in terms of sizes.
Our purpose is to connect our members with opportunities around the world, within the industry, whether it's a market, a mining company, a project, a combination. So that is our purpose.
Who can be a member of Austmine?
Membership is restricted to companies that have a business registration in Australia. There could be companies from anywhere in the world, but as long as they have an official representation in Australia as a business, they can be a member.
What have you seen among these years related to METS?
The METS industry has evolved enormously, particularly in the last 10 to 15 years. I've been in the mining industry for over 40 years. I'm originally a geologist, but I've been also involved with Austmine for nearly 20 years.
In that time spanned, we have seen the industry not only taking off into the digital space, artificial intelligence, autonomous, automatic, robotics and so on, but an extreme acceleration. Particularly in the last 5 to 10 years, there are new entrants into the METS industry. Companies like Microsoft, Amazon… you would never see these companies 10 years ago being part of the mining industry.
The mining industry is going through a transition. Australia is very strong because a lot of innovation happens here. Australia is a mining country, is a mining market, so we have large companies, smaller companies operating here.
The basic synergy and collaboration between the mining companies and the suppliers is enormous. That's why Australia has its excellence in innovation.
How competitive are METS companies worldwide?
Australian METS companies are very competitive in terms of innovation. They are less competitive against the products and services coming from the new economies, particularly China or other countries. And that is because of the pricing. We excel at quality, level of innovation and services.
We cannot compete with many of the large manufacturers of equipment in China because of the prices and labor costs, but they would never match the quality.
Austmine was born as an idea or as a need for the mining industry?
Austmine was born by the Australian Trade Commission in the late 80s. Austmine was born with the idea of the Australian government supporting exports or boosting exports of mining technology and services.
Back in those days, Australia would export around A$500 million of goods and services worldwide. METS industry contributes enormously to the Australian economy with over A$100 billion dollars to the GDP and around A$20 billion of exports.
Is there any connection between the METS, government and universities to be more competitive?
Australia and Australian METS have a very strong ecosystem working with mining companies. There is a lot of money flowing into R&D and innovation initiatives supported by usually the state government and education institutions like universities and other R&D.
But there's also a high level of international collaboration. As you know, 70% of our members are exporters, coming from other export activities or are already present in markets around the world. Also mining companies like BHP, Rio Tinto and others operating in Australia operate elsewhere, in South America, North America, Asia.
So this is a very international ecosystem of innovation and collaboration.
The mining industry has fast answers to new technologies’ requirements?
Unfortunately, the mining industry is lagging behind the needs of innovation and acceleration to develop the new technologies versus demand.
Obviously, a lot of the demand for new minerals, critical minerals like copper, gold among others, that's the highest demand because of the energy transition and the electrification of our industry generally. So, whatever we can to keep up with the pace of the industry development in terms of supplying innovative technologies and services is badly needed. The more we can collaborate and the more urgency we can put into developing really up-to-date technologies, the better it will be for the industry to remain sustainable.
"An attractive environment for investors is being created in Argentina"
“Argentina and Chile and Bolivia are part of the Lithium Triangle. Many of the countries are a hub for all the minerals that we need. Peru, Chile, Argentina, Brazil and some other countries are very important partners for Australian METS. And you see lots of joint ventures, lots of projects, but also lots of Australian companies going to South America or Latin America to basically develop their business over there”.
“Now, with the current regime with President Milei and his administration provides attractive environment for investors and also companies that want to develop their business. So, I wish the current government good luck without being political. I think Argentina is changing”.
