The system uses vehicle, driver and biometric indicators to give an early warning of the onset of fatigue so that preventative action can be taken before an incident occurs. The early warning system can be used for both heavy earthmoving and light service vehicles.

The system also includes a personnel communication device that will provide an increased level of safety for personnel working alone in remote areas of the mine.

The multi-million dollar Commercial Ready grant was announced today by Industry Minister Ian Macfarlane.

"In the past 24 months Industrea's strategy has targeted the strongly interlinked areas of productivity and safety equipment and this grant allows IDL to build on its suite of products in these areas," Industrea CEO Robin Levison said.

Industrea already counts global mining companies BHP/BMA and Anglo Coal as customers of its collision avoidance technology.

Levison said the remarkable growth in the mining sector globally had been accompanied by greater expectations of improved mine safety, especially as the industry modernises in key markets such as China and Eastern Europe.

"Improved productivity and safety is also becoming paramount for companies in the face of labour shortages," he said.

Today's grant comes just a month after Industrea announced it had secured its maiden contract in the burgeoning Russian resources market with a deal to supply directional drilling and coal seam degasification equipment from its subsidiary, Advanced Mining Technologies (AMT).

In the past year Industrea has signed material contracts with BHP/BMA, Anglo Coal and the China-based Shenhua Coal Group.

In August, Industrea announced it had beaten significant competition to be awarded the exclusive agency for the sale and service of US-based Petitto underground mining equipment and parts in Australia, New Zealand, China and Mongolia.