ausbiz. news

from AusBiz Magazine - June-July 2022

pursuit of happiness

GOOD NEWS FROM THE NORTH WEST MINERALS PROVINCE

Running from July 12-14 in Mount Isa, the North West MPX is a new combined conference and expo for the mining and resources sector. This fantastic new event has grown out of the longstanding Minex. The theme for this year’s conference is “The North West Minerals Province, where good news stories keep coming.” This event will bring together representatives from mines across this diverse, rich and vibrant region of Queensland to exchange news, ideas and expertise.

The conference will be chaired by Andrew Barger, the Policy Director of Economics at the Queensland Resources Council. Day one begins with welcome drinks and networking, while day two allows you to hear from speakers on topics such as reducing energy waste and women in manufacturing. Day three includes field trips to local sites to get acquainted with Mount Isa and The North West Minerals Province, and encompasses an underground tour of the Hardtimes mine and a visit to the underground hospital and museum.

In the evening, delegates and sponsors can relax and network with the “Dinner and Footy” event at the Buchannan Park entertainment centre, to further develop connections and indulge in some friendly state footy rivalry.

For those looking to enter the mining and resource sector, there will also be a session on “Training, vocational education and upskilling,” where speakers from the industry will present on a variety of topics. This region boasts long-term successful mines and many exciting and dynamic exploration projects, providing new opportunities for those interested in the sector.

The North West MPX website is constantly being updated with new speakers and sponsors, so check online for details and to book your tickets today.

THE NORTH WEST MINERALS PROVINCE

– WHERE GOOD NEWS STORIES KEEP COMING

Get your tickets now, or become a sponsor, and meet the movers and shakers in the mining and resources sector. The event, which is a combined conference and expo, will be held in Mount Isa – the heart of the North West Minerals Province of Queensland – and run from July 12 – 14.

For more details about the event and speakers, and to secure your spot or become a sponsor, head to northwestmpx.com.au, or simply scan this QR code

northwestmpx.com.au

The future of protein to power Australia

A growing population, changes in diet trends and a focus on sustainability are just some of the factors placing greater demands on the protein industry worldwide. And now a new report by CSIRO reveals how Australia could capture the $13 billion protein market.

‘Protein: A roadmap for unlocking technology-led growth opportunities for Australia’ outlines how, by focusing on new technologies, Australia could completely revamp its protein industry and secure 10,000 more jobs nationally, becoming a global leader. It emphasises a need to bring together animal, plant and other protein production systems, and integrate innovative growth solutions to enhance the already significant protein output. According to CSIRO Chief Executive Dr Larry Marshall, these science solutions could “create new markets and complement our existing, globally competitive traditional markets.”

“This will help shift Australia’s reputation from being the world’s food bowl of commodities to becoming a global delicatessen of unique higher value exports,” Larry adds, highlighting how exploring non-traditional forms of protein, such as plant-based meat, could be nationally beneficial, and present a significant export opportunity. By adopting CSIRO’s Future Protein initiative, Australia can keep up with the growing demand for protein and cultivate a global reputation.

IT CAN’T BE BUSINESS AS USUAL FOR OUR GROUNDWATER

Found beneath the earth’s surface, groundwater supplies half the world’s drinking water and 43 per cent of the water used to grow crops, and is widely used by mining and other industries. In Australia, it’s the only water supply available across much of the country, and contributes more than $6.8 billion to our economy every year.

Although it gives us so much, groundwater is a misunderstood and misused resource in this country. And overreliance on it during the recent droughts means we’re now facing a water crisis.

With a rise in population, food production and agriculture, groundwater has proved to be an invaluable resource – one we’ve become more and more dependent on. However, lack of regulation and management means that places such as the Murray-Darling Basin are now experiencing shortages and have limited access to any fresh water. Other regions, such as California in the US and Cape Town in South Africa, are projected to follow, especially as demand for water increases.

“Groundwater makes up almost all of the available freshwater on our planet: 97 per cent of freshwater on Earth lies in the ground beneath our feet,” says Craig Simmons, Professor of Hydrogeology at Flinders University.

However, looking at the state of our groundwater access, Craig is concerned about the need for conservation, pointing out the 2009 World Resources Group report, which forecast the world would face a 40 per cent water deficit by 2030 under a businessas-usual scenario. He suggests we cannot continue to use groundwater at the current rate. Instead, commercial industries should work alongside local communities to find sustainable solutions to groundwater management and protect this precious resource.

One example of such collaboration in action is the Angas Bremmer irrigation district in South Australia, which began work on a comanagement plan more than 50 years ago. According to a new research article, ‘Coming Together: Insights from an Australian example of collective action to comanage groundwater,’ the initiative has proven effective.

“By working together with the government department, the local committee has developed and implemented innovative water management policies which led to reduction of groundwater extractions by 80 per cent,” the article concludes.

The Angas Bremmer district is an example of how implementing conservation strategies can ensure that groundwater continues to be available and abundant globally. While withdrawal rates continue to rise, leading to a depletion in groundwater access, all hope is not lost for reform, and a more positive future. Through collective action, we can preserve this vital international resource.