This article is 6 years old. Images might not display.
Called the METStech Passport Program, it is a joint initiative of METS Ignited, Austrade and Fundacion Chile's open innovation program Expande.
The aim is to establish direct contact with the Chilean METS and mining industry, aid cross-collaboration of ideas and promote collaboration.
Under the program two Australian METS companies will undertake a two-week immersion in Chile in the second half of 2018.
The program is looking for solution-focused METS companies solving challenges in exploration, sensing, digitisation, data analytics and the mining footprint.
Participants should have a proven record of local market sales, a client database and a willingness to generate real cross-border alliances and collaboration agreements.
Applications opened on April 26 and close on May 27.
The program will cover flights and ground costs for the successful Australian applicants.
Participants will also have access to mentorship, investors, potential clients and networks for global expansion.
METS Ignited CEO Ric Gros said the growth centre was committed to finding more ways to collaboratively support the METS sector.
"This, to us, is a huge first step that will allow us to continue finding more commercial opportunities and strengthening our sector with innovation as its growth engine,' he said.
Australian Trade Minister Steven Ciobo said Australian METS were consistently seen as global leaders in Chile - on price, technology and productivity.
He said Australia's experience in the resources extraction business had nurtured an array of world-beating solutions providers.
"METS is already a $90 billion industry in Australia with potential for growth thanks to capability ranging from mine safety solutions to environmental management, including mine site closure and rehabilitation," Ciobo said.
"Chile is Australia's fourth largest METS export market."
Chile is also keen to grow its own METS exports and has the organisation ProChile to do just that.
Earlier this year ProChile appointed Giancarlo Tosti-Croce as business developer - mining in Australia.