Western Australia Minister for Mines and Petroleum Bill Marmion

New Scholarship Program Invests In Resources Future

Victor P Taffa

• More than $1Million available in MRIWA scholarships in the first three years
• MRIWA is the State Government’s strategic initiative to stimulate minerals research

Promising research for Western Australia’s minerals and energy sector has been recognised with the awarding of $16,000 in new scholarships, the first part of a million-dollar program.

Mines and Petroleum Minister Bill Marmion today presented the inaugural Odwyn Jones Awards for eight projects, funded through the Minerals Research Institute of Western Australia (MRIWA).

 

 

 

 

“These are exciting projects, the sort of research that will keep WA at the forefront of innovation in the minerals and energy sector and strengthen the State’s future prospects.” Mr. Marmion said.

The 2014 Odwyn Jones Awards are the first of the MRIWA’s new scholarships program, replacing the Minerals and Energy Research Institute of Western Australia (MERIWA) scholarships awarded to PhD students since 1991.

The new program is named in honour of Professor Odwyn Jones who was involved with MERIWA for more than 30 years.

The Minister said the Odwyn Jones Awards would provide up to 15 annual scholarships of $2,000 for students to progress their fourth-year research projects. At the end of that year, award winners achieving first class honours would be eligible for a $3,000 prize.

“Additionally, 10 Director’s PhD scholarships to the value of $960,000 would be offered during the program’s first three years of operation.” Mr. Marmion said.

Fact File

• State Government and industry have invested more the $50Million towards MRIWA-endorsed research
• Since 1991, postgraduate minerals research scholarships have been awarded to 34 students from The University of Western Australia, 33 Curtin University students and nine Murdoch University students

 

2014 Odwyn Jones Awards Winners:

Murdoch University

Jonathan Adams: Leaching of rare earth element minerals

Edwyne Mutai: Leaching of copper arsenic sulphide

Joshua Vinicombe: The effect of pH and electrolytes on the rheology of nickel laterite.

Curtin University

Justin Brent: Determination and modelling of the reaction kinetics of the aeration of reduced ilmenite

Aiden Green: Determination and comparison of the limit equilibrium and finite element method for slope design and stability assessment at the Wodgina open cut mine

Holly Kiely: Analysis of La Mancha drilling efficiency

Shane Reynolds: Development of 3D maps to understand basin structure and cover development

Kelsey Roberts: Optimal stemming height for charge holes on standard production blasts at the Rio Tinto Brockman 4 mine