Resources Technology Showcases 2021: Exhibition’s robots show mining is much more than red dirt and hi-vis

The families of the mining and energy workers who are the backbone of WA’s economy today got a glimpse of life in a resources company — and it was surprising and counter-intuitive.

Instead of red dust and hi-vis it was remote operations, robotics and augmented reality at the Resources Technology Showcase 2021 family day.

Today’s two-hour sneak peak of the free exhibition, which opens to the public tomorrow, allowed the spouses and children of resources workers to see what life is like in the mining and oil and gas sectors.

Two-dozen jaw-dropping exhibitions by the world’s biggest resources companies turned the Perth Convention and Exhibition Centre into a technology wonderland.

The event is hosted by Seven West Media, publisher of The West Australian. RTS 2021’s principal sponsors are the WA Government and Federal Government — which are both keen to showcase the breadth of careers that students studying STEM could look forward to.

Federal Defence Industry Minister Melissa Price, who toured the exhibition halls earlier in the day, was impressed by the defence exhibit. With a giant Hawkei military vehicle as its centrepiece, the defence installation included robotics and three helicopter simulators.

Federal Attorney-General and former Employment, Skills and Training Minister Michaelia Cash said RTS 2021 “could not have come at a better time”.

“We are seeing the Australian economy roaring back from the pandemic induced recession of 2020, bigger, stronger and leading the world,” she said.

“That means it’s absolutely ideal to be looking at the sort of technologies across resources and other industries, including defence, that will drive the jobs of the future.

“In May employment surged by 115,000 to a record high, exceeding all market expectations. There are now 987,200 more people in jobs or 8.1 per cent more than the post COVID trough in May 2020.

“There are a record 13,125,100 Australians now in work. The unemployment rate has dropped by 0.4 per cent to 5.1 per cent across the nation and here in Western Australia it’s down to 4.7 per cent.

“The participation rate has increased to 66.2 per cent and there are more women in work than ever before.

“Here in Western Australia we know that the resources industry is the engine room of our economy.

“The technologies that are on show at RTS 2021 give not only an insight into the skills needed to be part of the resources industry but how exciting and innovative the industry is.

“Some of those technologies are a glimpse into the future and show our young people the sort of jobs likely to be available down the track.

“There is also an emphasis of transferable skills. The sort of technologies utilised in the resources sector mean workers gain skills that can be used across other industries, including our defence industries.

“I encourage all the school children and young people attending the RTS to take close notice of the technologies on show and think seriously about what could be an exciting career in the future.”

WA Education and Training Minister Sue Ellery toured the TAFE exhibition, which included South Metro TAFE’s augmented reality welding simulator, a mini replica of the simulated underground CUT Mine at North Metro TAFE’s Perth campus, programmable mobile robot trucks called mBots and drones.

“It is quite remarkable seeing firsthand our State’s technological capabilities and the innovation keeping the WA training system at the forefront of industry innovation,” Mrs Ellery said.

“With automation in the defence and resources industries increasing, the McGowan Government’s support for TAFE provides students with the best training you can get.”

To find out more information, or to register for the free event visitwww.rtsperth.com.au