Gavin Lind, Executive Director Workforce and HSEC at the Minerals Council of Australia notes that two Australian Minerals Industry Research Scholarships awarded by the MCA in Adelaide today will boost understanding of mineral exploration techniques to support Australia’s future minerals production pipeline.

The recipients of these prestigious A$20,000 scholarships for 2017 are:

• Alicia Caruso from the University of Adelaide for her Ph.D. research Advanced remote sensing to assist mineral exploration (industry partner: Investigator Resources Ltd – pictured)
• Jonathan Hamisi from Monash University for his Ph.D. research Improving exploration for iron oxide copper and gold deposits by investigating hydrothermal fluid phase separation and its impact on albitisation (industry partner: Minotaur Exploration).

The scholarships facilitate research and training which provide practical value to the Australian minerals industry and enhance the research experience with industry partners.

The scholarships are open to existing full-time Ph.D. and post-doctoral researchers, with the program launched in 2016 with three scholarships to support further research in critical risk control management, gold mineralisation and maximising gold recoveries.

The MCA will offer these scholarships again in 2018 as part of its commitment to advance industry practice and support collaboration between industry and research institutions.

The importance of innovation and technology improvements to Australia’s world-leading mining sector was highlighted in a March 2017 report by Deloitte Access Economics – Mining and METS: engines of economic growth and prosperity for Australians. The report featured case studies of mining and METS companies showing that innovation and technological improvements are central to the efficiency and global competitiveness of the sector.