New research unit links academic and commercial worlds

New research unit links academic and commercial worlds

The mining and petroleum industries will have new access to world-class research and consultancy services through the University of Queensland's Exploration Research Unit (ERU).

According to one of ERU's instigators and Earth Sciences Department Associate Professor Rod Holcombe, the ERU, to be inaugurated on Monday, May 10, will provide industry with access to industry-funded applied research at the postgraduate to postdoctoral level.

"It will meet a need for contract research and specialist consultancy services, industry training and development and commercialisation of exploration products," Professor Holcombe said.

"Commercial consultancies providing opinions and interpretations to the mining and petroleum industries will be provided through ERU's affiliate, the UniQuest Pty Limited-run ERU Technical Services.

"ERU researchers will also have access to the Earth Sciences Department's state-of-the-art isotopic geochemistry and geochronology laboratories."

Unit personnel were already involved in projects in the Andes, with clients in Peru, Chile, Argentina and Brazil, Dr Holcombe said. A major program was about to begin in the mountains of central Asia, he said.

Operating since March 1 this year under contract research manager Tim Coughlin, the Unit is able to call on both academic staff and leading industry consultant expertise.

The Earth Sciences Department is a member of the Sir James Foots School of Mineral Resources which also includes the Mining, Minerals and Materials Engineering Department; the Julius Kruttschnitt Mineral Research Centre (JKMRC); the WH Bryan Mining Geology Research Centre; and the Co-operative Research Centre for Mining Technology and Equipment (CMTE).

Keynote speakers at the inauguration will be Petroz manager of new ventures and Petroleum Exploration Society of Australia (PESA) president Wal Muir and Newcrest Pty Ltd Eastern Australia manager Dan Wood.

Guests attending the inauguration, to be held in room 309 in the Steele Building from 9am, include: Executive Dean, Faculty of Engineering, Physical Sciences & Architecture, Professor Andrew Lister; Earth Sciences Department head Professor Ken Collerson; and UniQuest Pty Limited general manager of Technology and Commercialisation David Henderson.

For more information, contact Tim Coughlin (telephone 07 3365 2375).