Mining Innovations enlisted to help fight COVID-19

Queensland mining innovations have been included in an arsenal being assembled to help fight COVID-19.

The services range from location tracking to hygiene education for children.

J.E.S.I. Management Solutions, Biarri and Sentient Computing are among companies to receive funding from National Energy Resources Australia (NERA).

The ten projects will share in $227,500 worth of NERA funding as part of a national campaign to assist energy innovators pivot at speed.

They will adapt businesses and technologies usually designed for the energy resources sector to help households and businesses recover from the pandemic and limit future outbreaks.

Minister for Industry, Science and Technology Karen Andrews applauded the initiative by NERA to help innovators to adapt and pivot from businesses and technologies usually designed for the energy resources sector.

“This is a great example of how responsive and adaptable Australian industries are in developing innovative, forward thinking solutions to combat COVID-19,” Minister Andrews said.

“These projects aim to not only help Australian households and businesses recover from the pandemic, but also limit future outbreaks.”

This latest support initiative would assist more energy sector supply companies leverage their world-class skills in data analysis, remote infrastructure management and communications into practical ways that support Australian communities whilst helping those businesses retain their workforces and potentially export their new solutions internationally, said NERA CEO Miranda Taylor said.

“NERA’s mission has and continues to be ‘creating connections for growth’. Now more than ever this commitment to championing our sector to collaborate and come together remains vitally important,” Ms Taylor said.

In the midst of widespread business disruptions and uncertainty, we’re working to help our sector do what it does best and innovate at speed to help support the wider community as we navigate these challenging times.”

The successful projects were chosen after a national EOI campaign was announced in March 2020 by NERA — the country’s Industry Growth Centre for energy resources.

J.E.S.I. will extend journey management software to include a ‘Working from Home’ module that enables organisations to manage remote workforce locations and ensure employees are safe.

Biarri has repurposed their Workbench 5 data analytics platform to enable tailored data visualisation insights that allows companies to visualise workforce risks and potential impacts of COVID-19 on their business and then plan accordingly.

Sentient Computing has utilised their skills in VR training, 3D visualisation, process control and automation to create Social Distance Dash — a free browser-based videogame that teaches children the importance of hygiene to prevent the spread of COVID-19.