Industry Engagement

Centre researchers collaborate with the minerals sector to drive transformational change

Centre members work closely with industry partners and others to ensure the Centre’s research is well-placed to drive transformative change in the minerals sector. Close working relationships, research collaboration, site-visits and event engagement enables researchers to excel in their field, and for our graduating PhD Alum to become advocates of change as they move into industry roles.

Industry engagement experiences

The Centre enables PhD and Early Career Researchers (ECR) opportunities to engage with the community and with industry via site visits and tours, which provide hands-on experience and create direct connections with people in the minerals sector. This assists members to make industry connections, spur conversations and spark new ideas that may lead to new research insights, collaborations or future career path opportunities for these Future Leaders.

PhD Sajid Hassan, University of Melbourne: ​“Engaging in collaborative work with the industry enhances professional development by providing a unique opportunity to bridge theoretical knowledge with real-world applications, fostering a dynamic skill set that is both relevant and impactful in the evolving professional landscape.”

ECR Dr Nilanka Ekanayake, University of Melbourne: ​“Participating in a collaborative industry project has refined my skills as an engineer, including tasks ranging from crafting technical reports to adept project management and meeting tight deadlines! We have gained valuable insights helping to identify and address certain design issues as a result. This adds an extra layer of interest to my work. The experience of being among the few females in this equipment development field is not only encouraging, but holds significant personal value as it will help equip me for a role with industry.”

PhD Samadhi Fernando, Monash: ​“Being able to meet industry researchers at conferences .. and the COEMinerals Annual Conference has enriched my personal and professional development, and has already led to the development of several project proposals.”

PhD Sirjana Adhikari, Deakin: ​“Being part of COEMinerals has been an incredible journey, fostering collaboration between academia and industry driving sustainable solutions for mine waste. (In 2024) I worked on developing a project on repurposing mine tailings for construction applications. I had a rewarding experience of participating at a key conference, securing industry partnerships and mentoring other early-career researchers. COEMinerals has provided a dynamic platform to translate research into real-world impact, and I look forward to completing this project with impactful outcomes.”

PhD Luke Crompton, University of Newcastle: ​“After visiting the Northparkes mine site with COEMinerals in August 2023, I applied for and gained vacation program experience there, which enabled me to build connections with their team and get to know the organisation from an inside perspective. The outreach work with COEMinerals helped on my resume, as community outreach is looked upon very favourably by mining companies. It is necessary for maintaining their social license, which goes beyond regulatory requirements and relies instead upon transparency and responsible conduct to gain and maintain community support.”