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Comprehensive Supply Chain Solutions

Saracen Minerals
Holding Ltd managing
director Raleigh
Finlayson, Mark
McGowan, Northern
Star Resources Ltd
chief executive Stuart
Tonkin and Northern
Star executive
chairman Bill Beament
outside the Super Pit

Beyond the immediate recovery,
McGowan has already set his sights on
future developments based on WA’s re-
sources sector advantages.
He championed the METS sector, point-
ing to the 22 of the world’s top 100 METS
companies which are based in the State,
and said this expertise in resources tech-
nology – particularly autonomous opera-
tions gave WA a head-start in growing its
influence in other industries.
“It gives us a reputation in a whole in-
dustry, independent of the influence of
resource prices. Even NASA has come
knocking on our down when it comes to au-
Paydirt in its traditional home – Booth 8 – at Diggers & Dealers tonomous technology. They partnered with
Woodside to train one of its ‘robonauts’ in
were a betting man, I’d be betting big on bound. Among the priorities for the Govern- their oil and gas operations. It has the po-
WA. WA represents one of the best oppor- ment are removal of barriers to investment, tential to centre WA in the rapidly growing
tunities on the planet.” support for exploration, new technologies, space industry.”
The WA Government announced its renewable energy and industry develop- While the space industry may still be
post-COVID economic recovery plan in ment. theoretical, the electrification of transport
is rapidly evolving. McGowan said WA
was set to benefit from a shift in customer
Mark McGowan took a tour through booth land with Diggers attitudes which saw end-users demand
organisers Myles Ertzen and Sharon Giorgetta manufacturers promote ethical practices
throughout their supply chains.
July, with mining at the heart of the “Customers around the world want to en-
planned re- sure the product they buy will not do any
harm to the world,” he said. “Manufacturers
are hearing them loud and clear and secur-
ing their supply chains.
“WA is one of the most ethical jurisdic-
tions in the world. I understand BMW has
already identified WA as an ethical pro-
ducer of lithium and cobalt and you’ll have
seen the story in the newspapers that Tesla
is pursuing contracts in WA to lock in ethi-
cally supplied nickel.
“This is a fundamental shift and because
of our reputable operators and reliable and
verifiable regulatory regimes, WA is in the
box seat to capitalise.”
– Dominic Piper

aUSTRaLIa’S PaYDIRT DeC 2020 - JaN 2021 Page 85