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 worldclass 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.”