Recently, I had the pleasure of attending the official launch of the NSW Energy and Resources Knowledge Hub Innovation Launchpad in Newcastle, hosted by the Institute of Energy and Resources (NIER), to acknowledge the outstanding strides being made in our resources and energy space.
The NSW Government is proud to partner with this Institute through the Knowledge Hub initiative – giving stakeholders across the mining and resources sector a critical platform for knowledge sharing, problem solving and networking capabilities. They bring together industry, government and academia to share information and direct research through collaborative projects.
The government understands the importance of the resources industry as a driver of prosperity in our State, with direct and indirect mining sector jobs making a valuable contribution in regional areas such as Upper Hunter and Central West.
A central component of this Launchpad is the “Igniting METS” program, an Australian-first joint initiative seeking to drive better outcomes by bringing industry leaders together with late-stage start-ups and SMEs. Through fostering stronger collaboration industry-wide, this initiative aims to improve all aspects of the mining value chain – everything from exploration to planning and production, to environmental and social innovations.
The NSW Energy and Resources Knowledge Hub Innovation Launchpad will unlock the rich expertise and assets of NIER and the University of Newcastle enabling the sector to more effectively collaborate with research to fast track and commercialise new products and services.
The Launchpad aims to mainstream innovation in the energy and resources sector, providing businesses with better access to world-class researchers and cutting-edge technologies, enabling them to test and validate their products to facilitate further opportunities and stimulate economic development of the NSW energy and resources sector.
Our government remains committed to fostering a strong, sustainable mining industry in NSW built on collaboration and innovation – confident in the knowledge that where the mining industry goes, our economy follows.
The Hon. Don Harwin, Minister for Resources
