METS Innovation Grant Program – Australia

Purpose/Intent

• MRIWA recognises the role the Mining Equipment, Technology and Services (METS) sector plays in the mining innovation lifecycle by translating new knowledge created through research into solutions which can benefit Western Australia.
• The MRIWA METS Innovation Program is intended to assist Western Australian based METS companies develop products and services which address issues in one or more of the Focus Areas.
• The METS Innovation Program consists of a grant scheme and project facilitation to assist in connecting with potential collaborators and sponsors, as well as navigating the innovation ecosystem and other available forms of support.

Focus Areas

• Focus Areas may fall in areas specific to parts of the mining value chain or have impact across the entire value chain, with the benefit to be realised in Western Australia.
• By identifying specific Focus Areas MRIWA seeks to activate innovation and research networks and attract investment in high value activities in the following areas:
  • Net Zero Emission Mining
  • Critical Minerals
  • Green Steel
  • Exploration Amplification
  • Alternative Use of Tailings and Waste
  • Precision and Low Impact Mining

Project Funding

• The METS Innovation Program will provide matched grant funding up to a maximum of $250,000 per Approved Project.

Research Activity

Minerals research, is defined in the MRIWA Act as the:

• investigation undertaken in order to acquire new knowledge relating to; or
• systematic work drawing on existing knowledge that is directed to the development of, any process, technique, method, design, or apparatus to locate, extract, transport, or market minerals.

Eligible Companies

The following business criteria must be satisfied to be eligible.

• Business Activity: Your business must be able to demonstrate it provides mining equipment, technology, or services to the mining sector.
• Business Location: Your main business location must be in Western Australia.
• Business Structure: Your business will:
  • have an Australian business number (ABN).
  • be registered for goods and services tax (GST).
  • be a company incorporated in Australia or an incorporated trustee applying on behalf of a trust.
• Business Size: Your business will have an annual turnover of less than $50m per annum.

For more information, visit Australian Government.