He said productivity improvements, keeping costs at a minimum, safety and automation will be the way to maintain momentum for the mining industry globally.

 

“These are the areas Australia excels in,” Broome said.

 

Australia is now recognised as a global centre for mining technology with innovations ranging from exploration technologies like airborne surveys and gravity gradeometry to software systems and specialised equipment to improve productivity and safety, right through to shipping the ore.

 

This brings in $A3.6 billion of revenue to Australia per annum, which Austmine believes will grow to $6 billion by 2010-11.

 

“We believe that by 2030 we’ll be looking at in excess of $20 billion of exports provided that the global mining industry maintains its focus on the lowest cost of production and getting that product to the market, and assuming the market stands up,” Broome said.

 

“If we can get the global mining industry to understand how Australian technology can help deliver into the global marketplace and improve things like keeping production costs at a minimum, and make sure they can maintain the momentum in a difficult market circumstance, we will have succeeded and Australia will benefit.”