The University of Exeter’s Camborne School of Mines (CSM) is to play a pivotal role in an international collaboration aimed at reviving and stimulating the tin mining industry in Malaysia’s second largest state. CSM, based at the University’s Penryn Campus in Cornwall, has signed a technical cooperation agreement with key representatives from the Malaysian state of Perak, at a special ceremony in Hertfordshire. Situated to the north of Kuala Lumpur, Perak was once renowned as one of the world’s largest tin producers. The agreement will seek to boost the state’s endeavors to develop a sustainable and cohesive mining industry within Perak.
CSM said that it was identified for the project due to its “exceptional global reputation within the mining industry”, producing highly-qualified and internationally-recognized graduates. Professor Kip Jeffrey, First Quantum Minerals Professor of Mining Engineering at CSM, signed the agreement at the headquarters of ITRI Ltd, which is also part of the technical cooperation agreement. Jeffrey said the agreement offered an important opportunity to apply and pass on new knowledge to the burgeoning Perak mining industry: “This exciting partnership will deliver considerable benefits to both the people and economy of Malaysia. This is a great opportunity to apply the latest advances in development of sustainable mining technologies and practice to the tin industry and to pass them on the next generation of engineers and researchers, to create a sustainable industry and associated educational opportunities.”
Professor Jeffrey was joined by Aminudin Hashim, Chief Executive Officer of Menteri Besar Inc, one of the state’s investment arms, and David Bishop, Managing Director of ITRI. The signing ceremony was also witnessed by the Rt Hon Chief Minister of Perak, Dr Zambry Abdul Kadir, as part of an official visit to London. Speaking at the ceremony, Hashim expressed that the State Government is currently embarking on developing a comprehensive ‘Mining Blueprint’: “Thus this collaboration between MB Inc (Perak) and both ITRI Ltd and Camborne School of Mines will greatly help in preparing the Blueprint as well as guiding its implementation. This is in line with the aim of the state in becoming a bustling haven by capitalising on its wealth of natural resources, and turning them into high-impact businesses. Partnerships in strategic areas, such as these, are important to promote sustainable economic growth and development in Perak. Subsequently, this will contribute towards the improved socio-economic well-being of the people of Perak.”
David Bishop, Managing Director of ITRI also welcomed the move: “New sustainable tin supply and new tin technologies to boost demand are both key to future growth of the tin industry. This collaboration is a significant step forward in achieving those goals.”
