Brisbane: World leader in METS

Brisbane's geographic proximity to the Asia Pacific region provides a competitive advantage for major energy and resources companies whose global, Asia Pacific or national headquarters are based here.

Demand for commodities is expected to double over the next 30 years with much of this growth expected to occur in Asia, led by China and India. This growth in demand provides long-term opportunities for greater Brisbane’s METS companies. With a cohort of global energy and resource corporates supported by many small and medium enterprises, Brisbane also provides the ideal test bed for innovation in the local market before going global.

Put simply, Brisbane offers the ideal location for new start-ups, emerging and established METS companies to capitalise on the sector's sound reputation and projected growth. Across Queensland, new energy and resources segments are emerging including on-shore gas and battery minerals, providing new entry points and opportunities for firms specialising in the expertise to develop these resources.

As capital city of the energy rich state of Queensland with a long mining history, Brisbane has become a world leader in METS specialisations including:

• research and development
• education
• environmental management
• health and safety
• social performance
• digital productivity solutions
• contract mining
• mineral processing

It is also known as a global hub for cutting-edge METS innovative solutions, products, processes and services.

A number of greater Brisbane's education institutions are major centres of energy and resources-related research across the entire supply chain, from exploration to extraction to processing and finally rehabilitation.

Areas of research include social licence and socioeconomic development, environmental management, geological mapping and analysis, mineral processing, operational safety, value chain optimisation and autonomous systems.

Institutes include those listed in the diagram.

Australia currently has some of the highest levels of environmental protection requirements and workplace safety regulations in the world, and Brisbane companies are by size and reputation world leaders in the development of mining products, processes and services to reduce the environmental impacts of operations and improve workplace safety systems. 

These high standards protect workers and the environment and in the case of Queensland, the pristine world heritage values of one of the seven natural wonders of the world – the Great Barrier Reef. The future is bright for companies looking to export these products, processes and services globally.

The Queensland Government has developed a Queensland METS 10-Year Roadmap and Action Plan and offers a number of programs and funding opportunities to help METS companies innovate and grow. The Federal Government has also backed Brisbane's strengths by establishing the METS Ignited national industry growth centre in the city to grow the share of the METS global market through leadership, collaboration and innovation.

The Queensland Government and METS Ignited have a partnership to deliver key initiatives to boost METS sector growth.