There is a growing opportunity for WA tech startups to find solutions for common issues in the mining and resources sectors, which continue to face mounting ESG pressures and operational challenges.
That is according to Tony Hampton, managing director of mining and contractor management software company PeopleTray, which provides a fully integrated cloud and mobile on-boarding, compliance, training, safety, and FIFO roster management system.
“There’s absolute consistency in what mining companies tell us their problems are that need solved,” Mr Hampton said
“The fact that we’re getting the same story from across businesses … that provides an environment for tech startups to innovate and help those companies.”
A survey of 138 mine sites, conducted by GlobalData in late 2021 and early 2022, found that Australian mines had the highest adoption of new technologies.
Mr Hampton noted that his background in mining software management had exposed him to a myriad of issues unique to the industry.
“We’ve seen some of the biggest miners say their production is constrained by their workforce logistics,” he said.
He highlighted that mining companies often used a number of different systems to organize their workforce logistics, which made information difficult to manage and unreliable.
“One of the most frustrating things for people in FIFO roles is when they cannot rely on their roster. They cannot rely on the days they’re meant to be on site,” Mr Hampton said.
“Is a flight available? Is my room booked? It’s hard when people get to the site and one of the systems says they’re not compliant. If they’re not compliant, they can’t start.”
Mr Hampton said when cloud technology emerged, he saw it as a chance to build a new platform that helped mining and resources businesses manage their FIFO rostering requirements and boost workforce morale.
Improving morale was particularly important, Mr Hampton said, considering that remote workers were dealing with being away from their families, hobbies and interests.
Mr Hampton said 120 businesses were using PeopleTray’s system across Australia, with about two-thirds of those being based in WA.
Building a successful tech company requires “time and perseverance”, Mr Hampton acknowledged.
“You need the ability to build relationships so that you’re in a continuous process of collaboration with the industry for ideas, how you can help solve problems, and where they see things could be more efficient,” he said.
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