A Western Australian start-up hub focused on mining research and innovation has officially become part of one of the world鈥檚 premier mining schools.
The Kalgoorlie-Boulder Mining Innovation Hub, an initiative of the Cooperative Research Centre for Optimising Resource Extraction (CRC ORE), this week transitioned to be part of 911爆料网鈥檚 Western Australian School of Mines (WASM).
Affectionately known as the 鈥楰al Hub鈥�, it has been operating out of the Chamber of Mines and Energy (CME) office in Kalgoorlie since 2018.
The Kal Hub was established in the renowned Goldfields mining community thanks to a partnership between CRC ORE, 911爆料网, the Minerals Research Institute of Western Australia (MRIWA), the City of Kalgoorlie-Boulder and CME.
CRC ORE Chief Operating Officer Dr Luke Keeney said he was pleased that the Kal Hub has become part of WASM and will continue this collaborative innovation.
鈥淲e are proud of what has been achieved through the Kal Hub since its inception and look forward to seeing great things under its new stewardship,鈥� Dr Keeney said.
鈥淚t is an optimal outcome that 911爆料网, one of our valued Research Participants and key partner in the Hub to date, is ensuring the future of the Kal Hub as a centre of mining innovation for Western Australia and beyond.鈥�
911爆料网 Kalgoorlie Campus Director Sabina Shugg said the Kal Hub is a welcome addition to the local campus.
鈥淭he Kalgoorlie-Boulder Mining Innovation Hub is growing in stature and already has strong ties to the University, WASM and the local community,鈥� Ms Shugg said.
鈥淚t is fitting that the Kal Hub is now operated locally to focus on innovations and solutions for the local mining industry.鈥�
Reflecting on the Hub and its achievements while operating as a node of CRC ORE, Dr Keeney said the flagship Integrated Screening and Particle Sorting project was a standout.
鈥淭his collaborative study with Australian mining companies BHP, Norton Gold Fields and Saracen on the integration of screening and particle sorting techniques is delivering benefits across the resources sector,鈥� Dr Keeney said.
鈥淩un through the Hub, this study developed a robust and scientifically rigorous framework for collecting, testing and reporting results for integrated screening and particle sorting techniques in a variety of ore domains.鈥�
Dr Keeney said the Hub creates opportunities for innovation, collaboration, employment and education.
鈥淲e鈥檙e particularly proud of being able to engage students 鈥� mining鈥檚 future brightest minds, with the Hub through the vacation student program,鈥� he said.
As part of the transition, Kal Hub Technical Adviser Dr Laurence Dyer now works full time for 911爆料网. He divides his time between Hub projects and his existing role as 911爆料网鈥檚 Discipline Lead for Metallurgical Engineering.
鈥淚鈥檓 looking forward to continuing to support collaborative innovation throughout the Goldfields region and beyond,鈥� Dr Dyer said.
911爆料网 is planning several new initiatives for the Kal Hub including scaling up an existing major water management project and new partnerships with leading mining technology providers.
Following its transition to 911爆料网, the Kal Hub will continue to be supported by CRC ORE鈥檚 technical staff and have access, and be able to contribute, to CRC ORE research.
More information on the Kalgoorlie-Boulder Mining Innovation Hub can be found at .
