Perth-based start-up company Mineler has launched a social media platform for workers in the mining industry.
The application has been designed to connect people in mining-related industries and facilitate job searches for projects, as well as keeping users informed about other business or contract opportunities. Mineler marketplace will allow companies to find flexible, crowd-sourced workforces and international supplier bases.
Using the platform, mining operators can also post work tenders, both manual tasks and full supply contracts, that members can bid for.
The application was launched with more than 60,000 pre-registered members from countries including Colombia, Peru and Canada, reports StartupSmart; however, individual members must pay a fee to access the service.
Users create a profile then the Mineler platform gives them access to Linkedin-style interactions and keeps them updated about developments in the industry.
“What we really wanted to do is actually help mining companies digitise the latest management practices, including the outsourcing of labour and people.”
Mineler marketing manager Cam Sinclair was quoted by StartupSmart as saying: “Essentially, the idea behind Mineler is to give people in the mining industry a social marketplace where they can share ideas and interact on a site-based geographic basis.
“The mining industry is kind of unique in that it’s based around remote and distant projects. Often, you’ll find people sharing ideas based on what sites they’re on, and you get a sense of community there.
“The idea was always that mining, which is perceived as very innovative on one side, in the mining technologies, mining machines and everything that comes with it. But it’s also very antiquated when it comes to people, management, labour and how it does those things.
“What we really wanted to do is actually help mining companies digitise the latest management
practices, including the outsourcing of labour and people, by creating a global marketplace.”
Mineler will be available as an application on iOS and Android mobile devices, and the start-up has raised $500,000 in seed funding for the application launch.
Separately, mining consultancy firm Mining Plus has signed a deal to use Mineler’s social platform to build community engagement in the industry and use its enterprise-level business automation system to optimise staff productivity and streamline client operations.
Mineler managing director Ben Auld said: “Mineler presents the mining industry with a fresh platform for workers and companies to connect, share ideas and create opportunities through crowdsourcing.”
“This is the next step for resource companies: flexible, efficient workforces which can be hired at short notice for specific jobs or tasks.”
