Mining giant Vale has introduced a 5 yr, $2.5 million partnership with the University of Queensland.
The partnership will see the development of new geosciences studies, education and training programs.
Vale’s worldwide coal coping with director Decio Amaral stated “this five yr partnership has reinforced Vale’s commitment to increasing its operations in Australia, the organic increase of its three existing mines, and the opening of latest mines.
“This funding in schooling and training will enable us to start growing our current – and future employees – now.”
He went on to mention that the partnership will deliver direct blessings to its coal operations at Carborough Downs and Integra in the Hunter Valley.
The research programs are also an important part of the new joint venture.
“As a part of this partnership, 5 new research projects could be initiated to attention on existing, particular areas of development indentified within Vale’s mines,” he said.
These five projects are the origins of spatial variability in coal seam gasoline and drainage behaviour; geological controls on phosphorus, sulphur and alkali occurrence – implications for beneficiation; depositional and structural controls on ground conditions and coal quality; the optimisation of seismic reflection technology for structural and geological characterization; and ultimately tectonic influence on area and kinds of sediment accumulation within the Karro coal measures of Mozmabique.
Amaral stated that “the consequences of this research are anticipated to end result in good sized advancement in coal mining techniques in Australia and the world.”