Now I know other countries will bleat that they have it down pat, but just look at the overseas guys who are using our brain-based resources.
It blew me away last week when I heard the CSIRO has developed a new gadget which I understand is so sensitive it can see previously undetectable mineral deposits deep underground.
Now this column doesn't promote one product over another but seeing that all taxpaying Aussies own a tiddly bit of the CSIRO, I reckon they deserve to know about it. Something to do with super-sensitive magnetic sensors called Superconducting Quantum Interface Devices (SQUIDS for short). I wonder if Harry Potter knows about this stuff!
Our boys did this in conjunction with Falconbridge, a Canadian Nickel miner, but make no mistake about the role the CSIRO played in getting this technology up and running..
But wait, there's more! There are other winners out of this stable.
Like Longwall Automation systems. When one considers some 90% of underground black coal production comes from longwall mining - that's about 70 million tonnes a year - the Landmark Longwall Automation initiative which received financial assistance from the Australian Coal Association Research Program is a beauty.
Not only does it improve production but it also has safety benefits by removing miners from hazardous areas. Where have we heard that comment before? I know, that underground hardrock automation system called Minegem which Cat Underground Mining has released. And what do you know? Yep, CSIRO technology underpinned that as well.
Then there is new Borehole Logging technology they developed without having to extract samples for analysis.
And what about Sirovision? What a ripper. Again, safety is the focus as this product was originally developed to help prevent catastrophic collapse of sloped walls in opencut mines, using a couple of digital cameras to capture stereo images from 1km away.
The CSIRO, along with with our buddies Newcrest Mining, has developed a version of the product that will autonomously analyse mine walls and alert operators to problems. Like all of these technologies, the CSIRO owns the intellectual property and software, but the products are marketed and sold through private commercial supply companies.
The list goes on and on, and no doubt the guys and gals within the various agencies of the CSIRO who are charged with the charters surrounding mining technologies (near Brisbane I believe) have more up their sleeves that all Australians can be proud of when they are released and, what's more, will keep the Australian industry at the cutting edge.
You probably have guessed by now I am passionate about this topic.
But just when I am overcome with joy at how well Australian industry is doing in developing and using new technology, I hear the Australian Business Council has just released a discussion paper that says Australia is missing out on nearly $10 billion of services exports each year because of lack of Government understanding.
Now, I am not going to dive into that debate. However, if the Aussie share of the global export market has declined from 1.45% in 1996 to 1.15% in 2005, especially when we are in one of the strongest periods of global growth in decades, then someone better have a real good look at what's askew.
It's all to do with balance. It's great to have a booming mining and minerals industry fuelled by China and India with nothing on horizon that says this is going to change anytime soon - but we must not forget our other responsibilities, especially when it comes to our brilliant services and supply infrastructure.
So I say to all the supply chain operators with the ability to make a difference, be like the CSIRO and try to do things differently. Be innovative. Challenge yourself. Ask yourself, are you bringing the absolute best value to your customer with the products and services you deliver?
If you think you are, then I suggest you are about halfway there. So go back to the drawing board and see just how smart you can really be and how many more value-added services, products and technology you can provide.
And when you think you have that right, do it again.
