WesTrac’s new $7 million Technology and Training Centre in Collie to put WA at ‘cutting edge’ of mining tech

Mark McGowan says a new $7 million autonomous machinery project in the South West will put the State at the “cutting edge” of world mining technology. WesTrac’s Technology and Training Centre in Collie, the only one of its kind in the southern hemisphere, is about to draw hundreds of trainees. It includes a dedicated autonomous vehicle training facility that is also expected to attract national and international attention. The Premier said the launch yesterday was an important day for WA, and particularly for Collie. “We want WA to become a global centre for excellence in mining technology,” Mr McGowan said. “As technology develops, you have to keep abreast of it and you have to make sure that as a State we’re at the cutting edge of it, because if you don’t, you get left behind. “In many ways, this is about sharing the success and the wealth of the Pilbara with the South West of the State. “This is also a project that will secure the long-term future of a great town. “Collie has been an important part of WA’s history and will be an important part of WA’s future.” Seven Group Holdings chair Kerry Stokes said Fortescue Metals Group had demonstrated the positive impact of autonomous machinery in its most recent financial results, which revealed a cut in iron ore production costs of more than two-thirds to $13 a tonne. Mr Stokes, whose company Seven West Media publishes The West Australian, said the centre was the type of initiative that would help the economy fight back through the coronavirus crisis. “It’s going to help because it enables us to be self-contained in training,” Mr Stokes said. “But more importantly, as we pass through COVID, this will be the national centre for excellence. We can fill the classrooms here four times over for the people who want to come from the east. “So when we’re through COVID, this will be a much bigger centre training everyone from Australia. Lots of places in the world wanted this to happen, but WA has it.” Regional Development Minister Alannah MacTiernan said the project would also have a big tourism spin-off for Collie. She said an average of 200-300 students at the centre a year equated to 2000 accommodation nights at Collie hospitality venues. WesTrac chief executive Jarvas Croome said the company’s 300 autonomous machines represented 90 per cent of the world’s total. He said that number was likely to increase to 150 over the next two years and the project would also expand with further technologies, including autonomous drills. The trucks were fitted with radar safety equipment that stopped the vehicle quickly when an object approached. “It’s an enormous opportunity for everyone in WA to be part of this technology and how it’s deployed across our State,” Mr Croome said. “This ensures we not only grow the skills for today, but also the skills for the future.”