NEWS ARCHIVE
Trevor Evans MP endorses $2.8M grant to Brisbane-based Qteq
31 January 2019 at 2:00:00 pm
Member for Brisbane Trevor Evans MP has visited the Brisbane headquarters of Qteq (the eQnomics Group Pty Ltd) to discuss how the Brisbane-based georesources technology company will leverage its recent $2.8 million Federal Government grant to advance research and development in the mining industry and drive job creation in regional Australia.
The grant from the Australian Government Department of Industry, Innovation and Science will fund a joint research and development venture between Qteq, Wallis Drilling and the University of Western Australia.
Led by Qteq, the grant will provide the organisations with funding to develop an industry first real-time communications and downhole power generation system to be used with Measurement While Drilling (MWD) and Logging While Drilling (LWD) instruments.
These developments expand Qteq’s range of high-tech solutions for the mining and coal seam gas industry, which already contains a portfolio of advanced pumping systems and world-first wireless measurement technology.
Qteq’s Chief Technology Officer Dr Tim Hopper said that the technological innovation brings Australia another step closer to autonomous mines.
“The ability to acquire assay and moisture content whilst drilling will dramatically change the face of minerals drilling in Australia,” Dr Hopper said.
“Instead of waiting months for the analysis of cutting samples, important decisions can be fast-tracked for increased efficiency.
“When we combine Qteq’s technology with the Wallis Drilling 300RC Autonomous Rig, the industry takes a step closer to achieving the ability to remotely drill and assay holes, with staff being able to monitor and direct operations remotely.”
Qteq CEO Ewan Meldrum said that the grant was an exciting opportunity for Qteq to participate in a project that will dramatically change the face of minerals drilling in Australia.
“Having recently installed our 7,000th monitoring system in Queensland, we are committed to delivering high-volume, low-cost units that drive significant environmental and economic benefits.
“Of course, this ambitious development programme would not be possible without this type of grant, and we’re very grateful for the Federal Government’s support.
“It is incredibly important that the major mining and coal seam gas operators in Australia also support Australian innovation and service contractors through funded trials, progressive technology adoption and commercialisation strategies.
“We need to monitor and measure the subsurface in real time to protect the environment, reduce costs and strengthen our social licence to operate.”
Federal Member for Brisbane Trevor Evans MP said that he was proud to endorse the grant, which highlights the Federal Government’s continued investment in technology and innovation.
“This grant will allow Qteq to engage in high-quality research and development focused on finding solutions to problems that have been identified across the industry,” he said.
“These technological innovations will attract Australia’s highly skilled workforce to consider a career in an industry that is often wrongly perceived as low-tech, as well as strengthen the economy at a local, state and national level.
“It is very exciting to see a local Australian company leading the world in this technology, as well as creating and securing jobs for regional Queenslanders, and I look forward to seeing what the future holds for Qteq.”
Work is already underway, with funding scheduled to begin on July 1, 2019 and support the project for the next three years.