Minister launches new mining degree

Tuesday, 15 August 2006

The State Minister for Mineral Resources Development, Paul Holloway, will officially launch the University of Adelaide's new mining degree at the National Wine Centre this Thursday, 17 August.

Designed to help redress the nation's serious shortage of mining engineers, the four-year Bachelor of Engineering (Mining) degree has received strong endorsement from the State Government.

Mr Holloway said South Australia was experiencing an exploration and mining boom, unprecedented in the State's history.

"More and more local, national and international mining companies are turning their attention to our State, and our rich mineral and resource deposits.

"The new mining degree at the University of Adelaide will play a significant role in ensuring that skilled workers are available to meet the increasing demand for our resources. The degree will also prepare young South Australians for rewarding careers in the State's mining industry," Mr Holloway said.

Professor Ian Plimer, Professor of Mining Geology at the University of Adelaide, has spent the past month on a statewide recruiting drive for the first cohort of mining engineering students.

Up to 30 students will be offered places in the inaugural intake in 2007.

Professor Plimer said Australia was currently producing just 40% of the mining engineers required to satisfy industry needs.

"This University - in conjunction with the State Government - has been incredibly astute to realise that the world is undergoing a global restructuring of commodities and we can play a huge role in that."

MEDIA: The launch will be held at the National Wine Centre, University of Adelaide, corner of Botanic Road and Hackney Road, from 10am-11.30am on Thursday, August 17. For more details phone Candy Gibson on (08) 8303 3173.

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