Dam good news for Brisbane mining technology company

Mining technology company Phibion has opened a new office in Brazil with the support of Trade and Investment Queensland’s team in Santiago.

And the move is delivering results, with Brazilian bauxite miner MRN ordering a fleet of Phibion’s MudMaster machines and confirming a long-term contract to improve tailings operations.

Phibion’s new office in Belo Horizonte is the next step in its plans to become a major service provider in LatAm.

Managing Director David Smirk said Phibion had much to offer Brazil in terms of environmental and safety management.

‘Brazil represents probably the largest opportunity for new tailings dam technology like ours,’ he said.

‘It has a large mining industry and, tragically, it has suffered some significant tailings dam failures over the last few years.

‘Everyone in Brazil is now on the front foot looking for safer alternatives.’

Phibion’s MudMaster machines are assembled at its factory in the Brisbane suburb of Lytton and 70% of components are made in Queensland.

This latest order has enabled Phibion to expand the factory and increase contracts with local suppliers.

Mr Smirk said Trade and Investment Queensland’s LatAm team were gamechangers for Phibion.

‘To all aspiring METS companies looking to LatAm, we recommend you work closely with the Trade and Investment Queensland team in Santiago,’ he said.

‘They will find and open doors you never thought possible.’

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