Our Sectors and Regions
Providing an extensive range of services worldwide
Our Sectors
Global Impact with Transformation
As your partners in generating global prosperity, we drive positive change across a wide spectrum of industry sectors.
Our expertise in both greenfield and brownfield projects empowers us to create transformative opportunities that benefit communities worldwide.
Mining Minerals and Metals
- Mining
- Concentrators
- Smelters
- Refineries
- Acid Plants
- Materials Handling
Sector Outlook 2026
The global Mining, Minerals & Metals sector enters 2026 defined by strong demand for energy‑transition minerals and rising regulatory, environmental and geopolitical complexity. Copper remains structurally tight as electrification, grid upgrades and AI data‑centre expansion accelerate demand, while lithium shows signs of stabilising after recent oversupply, supported by growing energy‑storage markets. Nickel continues to face overall surplus conditions, though Indonesian quota and permitting changes are adding short‑term volatility.
ESG pressures continue to reshape industry expectations, with two‑thirds of ICMM member facilities now in full compliance with the Global Industry Standard on Tailings Management, raising the bar on transparency, safety and social licence to operate. Meanwhile, regulatory shifts such as the EU’s Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism, now in its charging phase, are altering market-access requirements for carbon‑intensive materials.
Australia is strengthening its position as a critical minerals leader through new federal investment and the rollout of major environmental reforms that will shape approvals, planning, and compliance.
In this rapidly evolving landscape, success depends on operational excellence, credible ESG performance and the adoption of advanced digital and AI‑driven technologies to drive productivity, efficiency and long‑term resilience.
Water and Wastewater
Sector Outlook 2026
The water and wastewater sector enters 2026 under mounting pressure from climate volatility, infrastructure constraints and rising expectations for water security. Globally, utilities are shifting toward AI‑enabled, data‑driven operations, using real‑time analytics to detect leaks, optimise pumping and anticipate equipment failures – now considered essential for resilience as extreme weather disrupts supply and treatment performance.
Concerns over PFAS and emerging contaminants continue to accelerate investment in advanced treatment technologies, supported by expanding regulatory frameworks in the US and EU. At the same time, water reuse is transitioning from an optional sustainability initiative to core infrastructure, driven by long‑term scarcity and the need to reduce freshwater withdrawals across cities, industry and agriculture.
Decentralised and modular treatment systems are becoming more attractive, offering faster deployment, lower capital intensity and greater resilience for fast‑growing or underserved regions. Climate‑driven extremes: drought, flooding and shifting hydrology, are pushing utilities worldwide to integrate resilience directly into design and planning.
In Australia, the sector continues to balance drought risk, major reform and large‑scale investment. The Murray–Darling Basin Plan is undergoing a critical review, while governments ramp up funding for drought resilience, regional infrastructure and long‑term water reform programs.
Overall, 2026 marks a decisive shift toward smarter, decentralised, climate‑ready water systems built on innovation, robust governance and long‑range investment.
Power Generation
Sector Outlook 2026
The power generation sector enters 2026 under intensifying pressure to deliver reliable, flexible and secure electricity as global demand accelerates. The IEA reports that surging electrification across industry, transport and buildings, coupled with the rapid growth of AI‑driven data‑centre load, is reshaping operational requirements for thermal, hydro, storage and emerging firm‑power technologies.
The dominant constraint is no longer fuel supply, but grid flexibility and system adequacy. Power systems are being pushed to integrate diverse generation portfolios while managing new forms of volatility. Operators are enhancing demand response, dispatchable capacity, gas peakers, hydropower optimisation and utility‑scale storage to firm the wider system.
Strategic energy competition is also reshaping investment patterns. Governments increasingly prioritise security, resilience and domestic capability, guiding spending toward enabling infrastructure: grids, firming assets, flexible generation and backup capacity, rather than renewables alone.
On the innovation front, advanced storage, modular nuclear (SMRs) and CCUS‑equipped thermal assets are receiving renewed attention as potential sources of clean, dispatchable power suited to remote, industrial or off‑grid applications. Meanwhile, S&P Global warns that data‑centre demand growth is testing system limits, accelerating the need for new capacity, flexibility and grid reinforcement.
Overall, power generation in 2026 is defined by system reliability, flexibility, grid strength and firm‑power innovation, not renewable deployment alone.
Energy - Renewables
Sector Outlook 2026
The renewable energy sector enters 2026 focused less on headline growth and more on execution, resilience, and system integration. Global investment momentum remains strong, with clean‑energy technologies capturing roughly two‑thirds of total energy investment, reflecting a shift toward energy security, industrial competitiveness and affordability rather than climate messaging alone.
However, the year is defined by growing pressure on grids and supply chains. The IEA notes that rapid electrification, combined with soaring demand from AI‑driven data centres, is stressing existing networks and intensifying the need for large‑scale grid upgrades, flexibility services, storage and modernisation. Corporate strategies are also evolving as developers face cost pressures, regulatory uncertainty and permitting delays. Wood Mackenzie highlights widening differences in business models as companies rebalance between large‑scale renewables, flexible capacity, and storage to manage volatility.
Policy shifts remain influential. Deloitte’s 2026 outlook shows developers accelerating projects to secure safe‑harbour credits amid stricter sourcing rules and compressed development timelines. Meanwhile, new technologies: advanced storage, AI‑enabled forecasting, and sector‑coupling solutions, continue to mature, helping renewables integrate more efficiently into modern power systems.
Overall, 2026 is a pivotal, systems‑focused year: renewables continue to expand, but success depends on grid readiness, market design, and sustained innovation across storage, digital tools, and supply chains.
Energy - Non Renewables
Sector Outlook 2026
The oil and gas sector enters 2026 amid complex geopolitical volatility, shifting demand, and intensifying transition pressures. The IEA’s January 2026 Oil Market Report forecasts global oil demand growth of ~930 kb/d, driven largely by recovering petrochemical feedstock needs and normalising economic conditions, with non‑OECD markets accounting for all growth. At the same time, strong non‑OPEC+ supply expansion means global output is set to rise to ~108.7 mb/d, contributing to elevated inventories and a well‑supplied market despite periodic price shocks from geopolitical tensions in Iran and Venezuela.
Structural uncertainty remains. Analysts highlight that apparent oversupply masks deeper risks tied to OPEC+ discipline, refining bottlenecks, sanctions, and the potential for sharper price rebounds later in the decade. Meanwhile, decarbonisation momentum continues to reshape the sector’s long‑term viability. Governments and investors are tightening expectations around emissions reduction, methane management, and the deployment of CCUS and digital technologies to protect margins and maintain competitiveness.
For Australia, LNG demand offers a short‑term opportunity, but domestic production is under increasing scrutiny as the broader energy system transitions toward cleaner alternatives. Ensuring energy security while planning for an eventual decline in dependence on fossil fuels remains a core strategic challenge.
Chemicals and Fertilisers
Sector Outlook 2026
The chemicals and fertilisers sector enters 2026 under sustained margin pressure, soft demand and structural overcapacity. McKinsey notes that three consecutive years of weakened demand and intensified global competition have reshaped chemical value chains, with overcapacity in core segments continuing to suppress operating rates and profitability. Deloitte similarly highlights a sluggish 2026 outlook, with global chemical production growth forecasts trimmed to around 2%, constrained by geopolitical tensions, fragmented regulation and uneven end‑market recovery.
Regionally, producers face diverging cost and competitiveness profiles. Europe remains burdened by structurally higher energy prices and tighter regulation, further eroding export competitiveness. Meanwhile, the US chemical industry is expected to see only slow growth, supported by selective opportunities in specialty chemicals and AI‑enabled manufacturing.
Fertiliser markets continue to rebalance. CreditSights reports intensified nitrogen oversupply due to China’s elevated urea inventories and aggressive export activity, ongoing phosphate affordability constraints that reduce application rates, and gradually improving potash demand as inventories normalise.
Despite cyclical headwinds, long‑term trends remain constructive. Companies investing in product differentiation, digitalisation, circular chemistry, and low‑carbon solutions, including blue ammonia, bio‑based intermediates, and advanced precision‑agriculture products, are best positioned to outperform as sustainability and efficiency demands intensify.
Our Regions
As a global leader in operational technology, control systems, and engineering services, we have established relationships across Asia Pacific, Africa, Central and North America and growing relationships across South America, and Eastern Europe and can work on jobs remotely or locally, no matter the size.
Mipac's global footprint: navigating the complex world of mining
In the ever-evolving mining sector, operational technology, control systems, and engineering services are pivotal in ensuring efficiency, safety, and sustainability. With established relationships across Asia Pacific, Africa, Central and North America, and burgeoning connections in South America and Eastern Europe, Mipac is a beacon of innovation and reliability in the mining sector.
Asia Pacific:
Pioneering mining technology
Asia Pacific is a powerhouse in the mining industry, with countries like Australia, PNG, and Indonesia leading the charge. Mipac’s journey in this region is unpinned by deep trust and collaboration. Given its robust mining sector, Australia has been a focal point for Mipac’s services.
Mipac has been instrumental in implementing cutting-edge control systems and operational technology in Australia for almost three decades. These solutions have improved efficiency and enhanced safety standards, crucial in an industry known for its inherent risks. Our ability to work remotely and locally has made us a go-to partner for mining companies in the region, regardless of the project’s scale.
Our AsiaPac customer base includes a foundation relationship with Glencore’s Mt Isa Mines, other Glencore projects, BHP’s new West Musgrave site, MMG’s Dugald River, and CMOC’s North Parkes Mine.
Africa: Navigating challenges with expertise
Africa is a continent rich in mineral resources but presents unique challenges. Political instability, infrastructure limitations, and environmental concerns are just some of the factors that mining companies must grapple with. Mipac has risen to the occasion, offering tailored solutions that address these challenges head-on.
Mipac’s services in Africa encompass technological advancements and comprehensive engineering support. By partnering with local stakeholders and governments, Mipac has managed to navigate the complex regulatory landscape and ensure that mining operations are conducted sustainably and responsibly.
First Quantum’s Kansanshi Smelter and Copper Concentrator and the Kamoto Copper Company are big names in Central Africa’s mining industry and here, Mipac has developed control systems and upgrades to drive plant performance and profitability
North America: Shaping the future of mining
North America, home to the United States, Canada, and Mexico, is experiencing a resurgence in mining activities. The demand for resources, coupled with advancements in mining technology, has created opportunities for Mipac to impact this region significantly.
Mipac continues to grow its portfolio in this region, optimising mineral processing plants and refining control systems across North America. Our transferable knowledge in every stage of the mineral extraction process has been instrumental in maximising production output while minimising environmental impact.
Our strong relationship with several Canadian coal operations, including Elk Valley Resource’s Greenhills Operation, has delivered plant optimisation and digitalisation projects, and our recent establishment of Mipac Inc., based in Tucson, has delivered a range of partnership deliverables with our sister company GR Engineering Services Inc (previously known as Hanlon Engineering).
Central and South America: Forging new frontiers
Mining in Central America has a storied history, with some countries like Guatemala and Honduras dating their mining activities back to pre-Columbian times. The region is rich in gold, silver, copper, and other valuable minerals, making it an attractive prospect for mining companies.
Panama, often considered a bridge between North and South America due to its geographical location and the famous Panama Canal, is also making strides in mining. The country’s mineral potential extends beyond its well-known canal, with significant deposits of copper, gold, and other metals waiting to be explored.
Mipac has been the Main Automation Contractor for First Quantum’s latest mega project, Cobre Panama, since the site’s early planning phase, delivering not only a comprehensive Emerson Ovation control system with 50,000 I/O but also producing operator and maintenance interfaces and extensive business analytics and data visualisation.
South America holds enormous potential for the mining industry, with countries like Chile, Peru, and Brazil hosting vast mineral reserves. Mipac is expanding its presence in this dynamic region, working closely with local partners to tailor solutions that align with South America’s unique mining landscape.
Chile, for instance, is a global leader in copper production. Mipac’s contributions to the Chilean mining sector have been centred on automation and process control systems, allowing for efficient extraction and processing of copper while reducing operational risks.
Eastern Europe: Nurturing growth
The Eastern European region, which includes countries like Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan, is characterised by its diverse mineral resources and ambitious mining projects and is rich in coal, certain types of ores such as copper and bauxites, and precious metals. Mipac recognises the immense potential in this area and has been nurturing relationships to offer its expertise in control systems and operational technology.
Remote and local solutions: Mipac's versatility
One of Mipac’s standout features is its ability to adapt to the specific needs of each mining market, regardless of geography. Whether providing remote support for a mine in a remote part of Australia or working closely with a mining operation in South America, Mipac’s versatility is a testament to its commitment to excellence.
In a world where the mining industry is constantly evolving, Mipac has emerged as a global leader in operational technology, control systems, and engineering services. Our presence and impact can be felt on every continent, from Australia’s bustling mines to Africa’s untapped resources and the promising frontiers of South America and the CIS.
Mipac’s unwavering dedication to innovation, sustainability, and safety has transformed mining operations and helped shape the industry’s future. As the demand for resources continues to grow, Mipac stands ready to navigate the complexities of each market, offering tailored solutions that drive progress while respecting the environment and the communities where they operate. With a track record of success on a global scale, Mipac is poised to remain at the forefront of mining technology and engineering for years to come.
Contact us today - wherever you are in the world!
Are you embarking on a greenfield mining project or want to modernise an existing brownfield site somewhere across our diverse planet? Whether you’re deep in the heart of the Australian outback, scaling the heights of the Andes in South America, or exploring the mineral-rich landscapes of Africa, we want to be your trusted partner on this journey.
At Mipac, we have a proud legacy of providing proven operational technology, control systems, and engineering services to mining operations across the globe. Our expertise knows no bounds, and we’re committed to delivering tailored solutions to meet your unique needs.
Contact us today. No matter the size or complexity of your mining project, we’re here to listen, strategise, and collaborate. With our ability to work remotely or locally, distance is no obstacle.