Mining and METS

The Greater Whitsunday region includes a large portion of the Bowen Basin, home to Australia’s largest metallurgical coal reserves and a key Australian mining region. The Mining and METS industry makes the greatest contribution to economic output in the region, totalling $19.4 billion and 46.3% of total output.

In 2020, Mining and METS employed 17.5% of the region’s entire workforce and was the largest employing industry.
Growth opportunities are linked to the nine coal mega-mines proposed for the Galilee Basin, which at full production could double Australia’s coal exports to over 600 million tonnes a year and make it the second biggest fossil fuel expansion proposed anywhere in the world (after Western China).
In addition, under new Queensland legislation when coal mines reach end of life they must be remediated and rehabilitated. The Greater Whitsunday METS sector is uniquely placed to provide rehabilitation and remediation services to the industry and diversify existing revenue streams.

Mining and METS Highlights

Mackay Isaac Whitsunday regional strengths in Mining and METS include:

Bowen Basin is home to Australia’s largest coal reserves and is one of the country’s key mining regions
Proximity to the burgeoning Galilee Basin
Much of the coal mined in the region is high quality metallurgical coal which is used to produce steel so the demand for metallurgical coal is likely to be more robust than demand for thermal coal
Close proximity to the world’s two largest coal consumers – India and China
Resources Centre of Excellence, Queensland Future Skills Partnership and BHP Future Fit Academy are delivering activities to support education, skills and training for the sector within the region
Technical capability of world-leading METS sector provide export potential (domestic and international) and diversification opportunities for the sector

Regional Opportunities

Resources Centre of Excellence

The Mackay-based Resources Centre of Excellence (RCoE) has been developed to drive job creation through the region for the resources and other sectors. The RCoE will ensure that the Mackay region remains a world leader in mining expertise and innovation in the METS sector. The RCoE includes a simulated underground coal mine to assist with training, research, product innovation and demonstration, focusing on job creation and growing the skills of the future.

The facilities and capabilities of the RCoE can be leveraged by other sectors, especially as the METS sector diversifies core offerings to service sectors like aviation, aerospace, agriculture, aquaculture and biofutures.

Queensland Future Skills Partnership

Queensland Future Skills Partnership is a three-way partnership between BMA, TAFE Queensland and CQUniversity Australia. The partnership has facilitated and fast-tracked the development and delivery of new autonomy-related qualifications in open-cut mining operations in Queensland.

GW3 intends to leverage this framework to fast track skill development capabilities for other sectors in the region.

GW3 Projects

Discover more about key GW3 projects and activities that support Mining and METS in the region below:

Regional Jobs Committee

Delivered in partnership with the Department of Employment Small Business and Training, the committee supports future skills development in key industries across the Mackay Isaac Whitsunday region.

The Greater Whitsunday Future Skills Roadmap here.

The Future Employment Study here.

The Cross Industry Skilling Pathway Project

Established as a partnership between GW3 and Construction Skills Queensland (CSQ) to develop a framework to transition staff that may be impacted by the use of technology in the mining and construction sectors.

For more information contact the Project Coordinator here.

Transformation Region

The Transformation Region platform showcases the region’s commitment to transformation, innovation and change. You can check out these stories here.

Digital Connectivity Project

Through funding from the BHP Vital Resources Fund, the Digital Connectivity Project is a community initiative, driven by the community for the benefit of the whole community in Dysart and Moranbah – residents, businesses and industry. This project will improve network reliability and speed to the benefit of the wider community.

The Digital Connectivity Project connects to the The Mackay Isaac Whitsunday Digital Infrastructure Study here.

Other relevant publications:

Mackay Isaac Whitsunday Regional Water Strategy