Many Australian tunnelling and mining companies regularly investigate different methods or equipment in an attempt to keep ahead of their competition. Sometimes the result is a new approach or process which wins a tender or provides an advanced solution to a problem.
The Australian Government has a policy of encouraging forward thinking among Australian companies and provides a range of incentives. One of these incentives is currently available retrospectively to 1985 - 86, and the registration process is relatively simple with only one form to be completed.
Companies who investigate methods of raising productivity could be reimbursed for the costs of the investigation.