With feedback received from over half its members, 88% of companies reported their export revenue had grown over the past year.

Growth rates range from 5% to 150%, making it a good year for many, Austmine and Endocoal chairman Alan Broome said.

Austmine members attribute growing exports to a number of factors, including the industry’s quick recovery from the GFC, particularly in international markets, additional marketing efforts, and having the “right technology at the right place, at the right time”, he said.

Broome said the result was not surprising.

“Australian mining technology, equipment and services (METS) companies lead the way globally in highly innovative technology and services. There are not many industries where Australia is recognised as number one, but you can bet that international mining companies come to Australia first to seek solutions to improve productivity, ensure safety and streamline operations.”

“The METS sector is often overlooked as a significant contributor to both employment and export earnings in Australia, because it is overshadowed by the resources sector itself. People forget about the technology, equipment, services and people needed to run competitive, safe, world-class mining operations.

Austmine is a membership organisation promoting the Australian METS sector to world markets.

“The METS sector contributes in excess of $3 billion to Australia’s export earnings,” Broome said.

“Combine our expertise with the revenue earned and you have a powerful contributor to the Australian economy from both an immediate economic impact point of view and one which is leading the innovative future of this country.”

Australian METS innovation will be featured at the Austmine 2011 Conference and Exhibition, which is being held on 17-18 May in Brisbane.

Themed Mining Innovation – Made in Australia, the two-day conference will explore the latest developments in technology and showcase leading innovative firms.

Keynote addresses will be made by Rio Tinto and Vale and there will be special focus sessions on Africa, the Middle East and Latin America.

Minister for Resources and Energy Martin Ferguson will be the guest speaker at the conference dinner.