The Prospect Awards have been a mainstay in Australia’s resources industry for close to two decades, showcasing local mining and METS companies that are pushing towards a more forward-thinking and efficient future.
The COVID-19 pandemic caught a lot of businesses by surprise, however the mining industry earned its stripes as a resilient force, as outlined by last year’s Prospect Awards.
Since 2004, the Australian Mining Prospect Awards have continued to play a role in acknowledging the achievements of Australia’s mining industry.
Even when the COVID-19 pandemic rapidly emerged last year, the Prospect Awards continued, with the 2020 winners presented across Australian Mining’s print and digital platforms.
This year’s event will return as an in-person event on October 14 in Brisbane.
The pandemic continues to present significant challenges to the entire mining industry through a string of global supply chain issues, ongoing interstate and international travel bans and adjustments to working arrangements.
But the mining industry showed it could respond, delivering innovation, strategy and commitment towards achieving a successful outcome.
Records were set for 2020 in iron ore, gold and copper exports, according to the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS).
A total of $270 billion was injected into the Australian economy last year from the resources sector, 62 per cent of the nation’s export revenue.
Iron ore broke the $100 billion mark for the first time in a boom year for commodity exports, while also breaking its monthly export record in December 2020.
The Prospect Awards ensure that the efforts of mining and METS (mining equipment, technology and services) companies do not go unnoticed, with last year’s awards showcasing the innovation and prowess of the industry at a time of reflection on the pandemic.
As the world manages the impact of the pandemic, the industry must look at ways to apply its experience over the past year to ramp up efficiency through the means of new technologies and electrification.
“As we look towards a post-COVID world, the mining industry has emerged with a focus on ensuring operations are as reliable as possible even with fewer workers on site,” Australian Mining managing editor Ben Creagh says.
“The industry has shown it is capable of coming together at a time of significant challenges.”
The sponsors returning for this year’s awards night include National Group, Liebherr, Epiroc, SEW Eurodrive, Flexco, CRC and Austmine.
Outside of technology, the Prospect Awards also focusses on individuals and companies who have made a difference to their organisations and the industry at large.
Prospect Awards events manager Lauren Winterbottom says the Prospect Awards aim to amplify those who have made a difference.
“After the challenges of last year, we’re looking forward to celebrating the achievements of the industry,” she says.
With nominations opening soon, the categories for this year’s awards include:
• Australian Mine of the Year (sponsored by National Group)
• Coal Mine of the Year (sponsored by SEW Eurodrive)
• Contract Miner of the Year (sponsored by Epiroc)
• Hard Rock Mine of the Year (sponsored by Epiroc)
• Innovative Mining Solution (sponsored by Austmine)
• Safety Advocate award (sponsored by Flexco)
• Mine Manager of the Year (sponsored by CRC)
• Lifetime Achievement award (sponsored by Liebherr)
• Indigenous Engagement Award
• Excellence in IIoT Application
• Excellence in Environmental Management
• Excellence in Mine Safety, OH&S
• Minerals Processing of the Year.
For more information, visit https://prospectawards.com.au