CSIRO and Chile join forces in mining research

By December 15th, 2011

CSIRO is joining forces with Chile to tackle key challenges facing the Australian and Chilean mining industries.

The new CSIRO Chile International Centre of Excellence in Mining and Mineral Processing will develop cutting-edge technologies that will reduce the environmental impact of mining and increase its productivity.

With nodes initially in Santiago and Antofagasta, the world-class CSIRO Chile Centre of Excellence was formally launched by Chile’s Minister for Mines, the Honourable Hernán de Solminihac in Santiago today. The Centre has been established in partnership with the University of Chile and leading industry and research partners.

CSIRO Chief Executive, Dr Megan Clark, said Australia and Chile have much to learn from one another in the mining sector.

The Centre will be a major international education and training facility that will build the services and manufacturing industries in both countries through partnership with industry.

“This Centre will allow our countries to work in a learning partnership with shared benefits, benefits which will contribute to a global knowledge base and to improved practices and understanding around the world,” Dr Clark said.

The Centre will be a major international education and training facility that will build the services and manufacturing industries in both countries through partnership with industry. It will also tackle the mining sector’s global skills shortage.

Minister de Solminihac, said the establishment of the Centre highlighted the strength of Australia and Chile’s enduring positive relationship.

“Initiatives like this link universities with key industry bodies. We hope that our partnership with CSIRO will create a greater and more prosperous mining sector that will ensure Chile and Australia’s global competitiveness well into the future,” Minister de Solminihac said.

The Formal Inauguration was attended by Australia’s Ambassador to Chile, Her Excellency Ms Virginia Greville, Chile’s Ambassador to Australia, His Excellency Mr Pedro Pablo Diaz, regional government officials and other dignitaries.

The CSIRO Chile Centre of Excellence is co-funded by CORFO and supported by the University of Antofagasta, Cicitem and major industry partners Anglo American North S.A. and South S.A., Antofagasta Minerals S.A., BHP Chile Inc., Codelco, Xstrata Copper Chile.

 

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