New Institute for mining and energy sectors

Saturday, 24 May 2008

The University of Adelaide is establishing a new institute that aims to become the premier research and educational facility for the mining and energy sectors in the Asia-Pacific region.

The Institute for Mineral and Energy Resources will help South Australia and the nation face the significant challenge of continuing to grow the mineral and energy resources industries in a manner that addresses major technical, economic, environmental and social issues.

It will provide integrated research, education, professional development and consulting services across all aspects of the mineral and energy resources industries, from exploration through processing to international trade.

University of Adelaide Vice-Chancellor and President Professor James McWha said: "The mineral and energy resources industries are critical to the economic development of this state but continued growth and profitability may be limited by access to skilled human resources and new technology.

"The Institute for Mineral and Energy Resources will address the complex research challenges faced by the mineral and energy sectors, and help provide the skills and consulting services needed by these industries.

"This initiative will attract the best and brightest people in the sector to South Australia and reflects the University's strong commitment to align research and teaching to priority areas for the nation and the State."

The University aims to become the recognised centre of excellence in the Asia-Pacific for the integrated provision of research, education and consulting services for the mineral and energy resources sector.

Executive Dean of the Faculty of Engineering, Computer and Mathematical Sciences, Professor Peter Dowd, said: "The University of Adelaide is unique within Australia in having strong research and teaching groups in geology and geophysics, petroleum engineering and mining engineering.

"Across the University we also have leading researchers in economics, law, commerce, social science, environmental science, mathematics and engineering, project management and geomechanics to enable us to address the complex inter-disciplinary research challenges faced by the sector.

"We are also seeking alliances that complement our expertise. We have already agreed a Memorandum of Understanding on research and teaching collaboration with the University of Nottingham in the UK and are talking with other potential academic and industry collaborators around the world."

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