Clermont State High School students and teachers learnt how drone technology is improving mining processes during the Queensland Minerals and Energy Academy’s (QMEA) ‘Brighter Futures’ workshops this week.

In a brand-new teacher professional development workshop, participants discovered how to code and fly drones in an exercise based on the operations of a coal mine. Teachers were also immersed in this new world of code and programming, which enhances their ability to teach digital technologies within the classroom.

Meanwhile, about 50 students found out how science, technology engineering and maths (STEM) subjects are used in mining, from exploration to export.

Students explored how drones are used for critical maintenance tasks on mining leases and applied their new skills to code an autonomous mission.

Assisting the students and teachers were Adani staff members, Paul Hoogwerf Geographic Information System Designer and Tina Donovan, Stakeholder Engagement Manager.

Adani Mining CEO, Lucas Dow said with the current skills shortage in graduate engineers the company was excited to see an engineering focus from QMEA.

“These students are about to select their subjects for senior school and we are thrilled to be able to guide them if they are thinking about a career in the mining and resources industry,” said Mr Dow.

QRC is the peak representative body for Queensland ‘s resource sector. The Queensland resources sector provides one in every $6 dollars in the Queensland economy, sustains one in eight Queensland jobs, and supports more than 16,400 businesses across the state, all from 0.1 percent of Queensland’s land mass.