FMG and Universities announce China-Australia collaboration on mining sector innovation

Media Release 25/03/17

FMG (Fortescue) has joined with four universities from China and Western Australia to announce a significant collaborative project aimed at increasing cooperation and innovation across the mining and resources sector through involvement of Chinese and Australian post graduate students.
Representatives from Curtin University’s WA School of Mines, Central South University (CSU) in Changsha and Lingnan College, Sun Yat-San University in Guangzhou are attending the Boao Forum for Asia to discuss the initiative and will be joined by the University of Western Australia in this important collaboration.

A pilot program will be launched in 2017, comprising:
– Mining engineering, metallurgy and business students from each University to participate in a tour of FMG’s mine sites, infrastructure and remote Operations Control Centre during mid 2017
– Workshops and symposiums to be scheduled after the tour, with students contributing to discussions on new ideas, innovation and opportunities for improved productivity and efficiency, based on their shared learnings.
Based on a successful pilot, the program will then be developed to ensure the content evolves in line with industry developments and offers benefits to all participants.
FMG CEO, Nev Power said, “FMG is delighted to be working with this group of Universities who bring significant expertise across the fields of mining, minerals processing and business studies. We are very excited by the prospect of engaging the brightest minds from China and Australia in this new program”.
University of Western Australia Vice Chancellor, Professor Dawn Freshwater said, “The University of Western Australia is pleased to support this FMG initiative that will enrich the experience of our most talented students as they gain a deeper understanding of WA’s world-class resources sector and also grow economic and cultural linkages between China and WA.”

Director of Curtin University WA School of Mines, Professor Sam Spearing said, “Curtin’s WA School of Mines is excited to be involved with FMG and the three other universities on this student cooperation and collaboration project, and we look forward to seeing how the outcomes will benefit the industry.”

Background
FMG has a scholarship program in place with the School of Minerals Processing and Bioengineering at CSU covering both post graduate and undergraduate students and Fortescue’s CEO, Nev Power is represented on the International Advisory Board of Lingnan College.
CSU has had a long standing technical cooperation with CSIRO in metallurgy and Sun Yat-Sen University has links with UWA through WA’s LNG trade with China.
Fortescue has been a Diamond Sponsor of the prestigious Boao Forum for Asia since 2009, with the 2017 conference being held on Hainan Island from March 23-26, 2017.

Author: WASMA

The history of the Western Australian School of Mines Alumni (WASMA) reflects the ups and downs of the Western Australian School of Mines (WASM) and the role it has played in supporting graduates in a range of activities and events. It also describes the important role that graduates have played in ensuring WASM remains in Kalgoorlie. Learn more.