FMS Group Challenging The Way Things Have Always Been Done

For FMS Group, some of the best innovations begin with a simple question: why has it always been done this way?

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That mindset has driven a 20-year commitment to finding safer and more efficient ways to tackle complex mining maintenance and shutdown work, and has now earned FMS Group the Austmine Innovation (METS) Award at the recent 2026 Queensland Mining Awards.

The impressive accolade recognises FMS Group’s Dipper Skid and Hoist Rope Install Jig, an innovation developed by its frontline teams to address a high-risk task on electric shovels.

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Until recently, changing a hoist rope required a live shovel and a crane working alongside the equipment. FMS Group developed a pneumatic jig, dipper counterweight and skid mechanism that allows hoist ropes to be replaced without using a crane or powering up the equipment.

Following trials across six shutdowns, the method reduced downtime by two to three days while eliminating the hazard associated with the previous process.

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It is a practical example of how FMS Group approaches continuous improvement: operational teams identify challenges through their experience in the field, while engineering and technical teams develop the methodology, testing and design required to make the solution safe and workable.

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But much of that work happens long before a shutdown begins.

FMS Group’s projects can involve crews of 18 to 80 employees, large cranes, specialised jacking equipment, line boring and machining gear, and purpose-built jigs and tooling. Detailed planning, project methodologies, equipment mobilisationand careful scheduling are essential when multiple work fronts are operating simultaneously.

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Safety sits at the centre of that process. FMS Group’s supervisors and leadership teams manage execution risk, coordinate work fronts and maintain close communication with clients. The company has also invested in supervisor development, recognising that strong leadership is fundamental to building a strong safety culture.

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The award-winning innovation follows this same philosophy. Importantly, it was not developed in response to an injury, but to address a task with the potential for a catastrophic incident.

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Other FMS engineering developments have similarly focused on reducing crane interactions and improving control of high-risk tasks, while also targeting shutdown efficiencies. In some applications, these improvements can save 24 to 48 hours at the end of a shutdown while electrical and systems commissioning is completed.

For FMS Group, the Austmine recognition is a significant milestone, and one the team says it is still taking in.

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Ultimately, the award reinforces what has driven the company for two decades: combining frontline experience, engineering capability and client collaboration to challenge established methods and find safer ways forward.

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FMS Group remains committed to improving, questioning established methods and, above all, ensuring everyone gets home safely.

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fms-group.com.au

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