Minespace: Update and Review

A couple of weeks ago, while I was in Perth for the AusIMM Iron Ore conference and other meetings, I had the chance to check out Minespace in West Perth. This was something I had only recently heard about and thought it sounded like a good idea – a collaborative workspace focussed on mining. When I heard even more recently through a LinkedIn update by Co-Founder, Adrian Large, that my AusIMM membership would give me complementary access until mid-2016 I was sold and I made sure to make an opportunity to try it out.

On arriving I was greeted by Jasmine Trethewey, the Business Support Manager and Co-Founder, and signed in electronically. I was toured around and shown all of the facilities and I heard about how the various spaces worked. There was everything from an open mixing and meeting space to open plan work and task desks, private offices to an outside terrace with sunshine and a BBQ, separate training room to a separate, private, spacious boardroom. Also a kitchen where you can make yourself tea and coffee and store, heat, and eat your meals.

I used Minespace to sit and catch up on some notes from the day’s meetings and meet an associate in between other client meetings – it was perfect for that. We kicked back on the couches with our coffees and caught up on old times, discussed the current challenges, and looked to the future. We almost had the whole place to ourselves but I can see it as being somewhere you can work privately as well as bounce your ideas around with others.

One of the other great things about Minespace is the ability to lease mining-related software. As we know, software can be very expensive and software companies not particularly flexible when it comes to short term use and application. With many more independents out there at the moment (voluntarily or otherwise) I think there’s a lot of skills and knowledge going to waste without easy access to software tools. Hopefully, with a structure like what’s available here, I could pitch a job that might need just a little bit of time on mining-specific software to add some value, and I can focus on the development of a solution to the problem at hand rather than searching for enough software hours to justify purchasing and worrying about cash flow.

They’re open from 8am to 5pm weekdays – an hour longer in the afternoon might be good but then balance is really important so use closing time to take a break, keep the balance, and stay happy. My only gripe? My slightly wobbly work table that Adrian has more than likely already replaced or fixed by now. And the only recommendation I have is for a private, non-bookable breakout space where you can have private / confidential conversations within a time limit so it’s not monopolised.

I had a great chat with Adrian while I was there about the space, how it came about, and associations they’ve made with the AusIMM and other mining industry professional organisations. We also spoke about their login and registration technology and processes and I’m sure Adrian would love to chat to hear feedback and ideas from others to make the space easy and high value to use.

I highly recommend Minespace to all of my AusIMM and mining colleagues in general. It’s a great way to make the most of your membership especially if you’re an independent consultant / contractor like myself. Come down to check it out, meet a client or colleague, get some work done away from the home/hotel office, or attend one of their events. I’ll certainly be using it whenever I’m in Perth for each of those reasons.

I’m sure they’ll be coming out with more announcements so, watch this Minespace…

www.minespace.com.au

www.linkedin.com/company/minespace

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