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STRATALOCK NAMED QUEENSLAND MINING CONTRACTOR OF THE YEAR

25 July 2024 | Queensland Mining Awards

Underground mining supplier StrataLock was named the Queensland Mining Contractor of the Year for 2024, at a record-breaking black-tie gala held in Mackay last night as part of the
Queensland Mining and Engineering Exhibition.

The 2024 Awards recognised Queensland’s best and brightest resources contractors, suppliers and producers, with peer-judged awards presented over eight hotly contested categories addressing safety, collaboration, environment and innovation, with a mammoth 70 entries this year.

StrataLock’s new resin re-engineered a solution to a longstanding challenge in traditional strata stabilisation techniques for underground mining, replacing hazardous chemicals and reducing fire risk in the application process.

Judges were impressed with StrataLock’s dedication to development of the product, which took seven years to research, test and patent. Innovating every aspect of conventional techniques, from formulating a totally new product, through to engineering purpose-built manufacturing facilities and a new application system, StrataLock left no stone unturned.

As well as changing the health and safety profile for this work, StrataLock unlocks productivity gains and cost savings by removing restrictions. StrataLock resin is not classified as hazardous waste, saving transport and disposal costs and minimising environmental impacts.

Over the course of the evening, the audience heard a keynote address from Adam Lancey, Asset President of BMA and an industry address from Janette Hewson, Chief Executive Officer of the Queensland Resources Council.

Ms Hewson praised the sector’s achievements, saying it was fantastic to see what’s often a behind-the-scenes effort brought into the innovation spotlight.

“It’s our industry’s commitment to world’s best practice that has earned the Queensland resources sector an international reputation for excellence. Much of that innovation is driven right here in Mackay, home to Queensland’s internationally-renowned METS industry. The equipment and technology made here keeps not only Queensland’s resources sector operating, but also many countries around the world that look to our expertise to provide the very best equipment to maximise productivity and safety.”

In his speech BHP Mitsubishi Alliance (BMA) Asset President, Adam Lancey, said the outlook for Queensland’s world leading metallurgical coal is robust, with long-term demand from global steelmakers to continue several decades into the future.

“Our industry is positioned to continue to perform for the benefit of all Queenslanders and the Australian economy – but we must have a government that can deliver stable policies and fiscal settings, practical approval frameworks, and trading arrangements to attract the investment needed to produce the resources which underpin the global energy transition.”

Judge Dr Sharna Glover, CEO of technology ecosystem consultancy imvelo, says it was a pleasure to have a front-row seat to the industry’s innovations, seeing how companies create clever solutions with global applications.

“From world-leading biodiversity protocols to protect koalas and greater gliders, to harnessing AI for smarter wash plant controls – we’re seeing fantastic innovation right from the top of the industry through to the smallest businesses. It’s our duty as an industry to spread the word of this innovation and help to build support for Queensland’s innovators on the global stage.”

A full list of finalists, winners and their projects can be found here.