Mining equipment, technology and services (METS)

Queensland’s mining equipment, technology and services (METS) sector delivers innovative, world-first solutions to assist the global mining and energy industries to improve operational efficiencies and environmental management.

Our goal is for Queensland’s globally competitive METS sector to lead the development of innovative and responsible  world-first solutions for the energy and resources industry worldwide.

Recent achievements

The Queensland Government has supported:

  • 80 METS companies through accelerator programs, enabling them to secure an increase of $45 million in sales, $40 million in capital investment and create over 500 new jobs
  • 134 regional companies to work with industry experts to build their business capabilities
  • 8 companies to facilitate commercialisation of products and services and identify new opportunities through the  Queensland METS Collaborative Project Fund
  • 36 businesses to export to new markets through dedicated METS Export Hubs
  • 40 METS companies to promote their business capabilities in international and interstate markets.

Our 10-Year Roadmap and Action Plan ( 1.3 MB)  is instrumental in accelerating the sector’s growth, focusing on collaboration and opportunities to bring innovative ideas to market.

This roadmap builds on the successes of the METS sector and aims to support the commercialisation of local innovations, strengthen supply chains and create sustainable jobs for the future.

By backing Queensland’s METS companies with these opportunities, we will lead the development of responsible solutions for the global energy and resources industries.

Through the ongoing encouragement of private sector investment and supporting the development of critical mining projects, we’re ensuring our resource companies and regional communities can capitalise on emerging opportunities.

Queensland’s METS sector contributes over $3.812 billion to our economy, including $704.8 million in exports. It currently supports 32,000 local jobs, while its products and services enable many more jobs within the resources  sector.

Queensland has a history of excellence in METS capabilities, from digital solutions and safety to technology and mine site rehabilitation. We’re working with the METS industry to help improve competitiveness, productivity and sustainability, and to improve access to national and international markets.

We want to take our world class METS expertise to new markets – locally and internationally.

Collaborative business opportunities

To assist METS companies to capitalise on emerging opportunities delivered through the initiatives of the resources sector, the Queensland Government is investing $2.67 million in the Queensland METS Collaborative Project Fund.

The objective of the Queensland METS Collaborative Project Fund is to support METS resource companies and industry bodies, subject matter experts, researchers and government agencies, to innovate and collaborate to develop projects to address environmental and safety challenges facing the resources sector.

The fund is designed to:

  • encourage innovation and collaboration to address emerging priorities for Queensland’s METS and resources sectors being:
    • improve environmental outcomes, performance and legacy in the resources sector
    • initiate and increase the circularity of the resources sector operations and supply chains, including reprocessing of waste streams / tailings for critical minerals
    • improve emissions management and reduce emissions
    • support Queensland’s transition to renewable energy
    • improve mine site safety
  • help Queensland’s METS businesses access commercial opportunities
  • improve the competitiveness of Queensland’s METS and resources sectors.

The department will deliver the fund through a grant-assistance program. Consortium project leaders can apply for conditional matching grant assistance from $50,000 (ex GST) up to a maximum of $300,000 (ex GST).

2024 recipients include:

  • Ausroad Blast Technologies Pty Ltd - $300,000 to collaborate with industry and academic partners to develop an accurate measurement solution for blast hole dripping that can accurately measure temperature, depth, and water content in blast holes on mining and infrastructure sites.
  • Evolution Mining Limited - $300,000 to inform a technical study on developing a vertically integrated metals refinery using mine waste to produce critical minerals and a sulphuric acid by-product for the region.
  • Central Queensland Metals Pty. Ltd - $299,830 to evaluate the potential to produce a magnetite iron concentrate with vanadium and titanium co-products.
  • Zeotech Limited - $145,000 to undertake a preliminary feasibility study (PFS) for mine development at Zeotech’s high purity Toondoon kaolin project and high reactivity metakaolin manufacturing facility in the Wide Bay Burnett region, to produce its AusPozz™ product that advances low carbon cement and concrete, supported by major industry collaborator.
  • EQ Resources Limited - $250,000 for XRT Ore Sorting trial campaign and soil sampling to enable economic reprocessing of historical waste stockpiles.

Innovation and commercialisation

The delivery of  accelerator programs equip emerging METS businesses with the right skills to commercialise ideas. The Queensland Government is investing  into the METS Accelerator programs to help METS companies to engage with resources companies by providing financial support to take a perceived risk and try a new technology. This allows businesses to get a competitive edge in the market.

The programs are designed for start-ups and scale-ups. These are companies that already have proven solutions to mining sector challenges. Mentoring from industry experts builds capability, accelerating commercial outcomes. Businesses come away with an increased ability to deliver their innovative new products and services to domestic and global markets sooner.

Supporting development for global markets

Global resource companies operating in Queensland are supported by many small and medium enterprises. These international companies give local METS businesses the chance to develop and test the market here first. This way, products and services may become part of global supply chains.

Global demand for commodities is expected to grow. This growth will provide long-term opportunities for Queensland’s METS sector. We partner with Trade and Investment Queensland to help our METS businesses go global. Queensland has rich deposits of critical minerals, like vanadium and cobalt and high-grade metallurgical coal resources, which are in high demand around the world. Queensland’s resources are highly valued by  our trading partners.

Further information

For support and general information, please contact the METS team at METS@dsdilgp.qld.gov.au

Last updated: 30 Jul 2025