Professor Peter Knights new Executive Director of MEA discusses goals for MEA in 2010.

William Hartley 4th Year MEA student from University of Queensland talks about what he got out of the AUSIMM New Leaders Conference held recently in Kalgoorlie.

Dr Basil Beamish have been recognised by The Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy (AusIMM) in the annual awards of Australia’s Mining industry professional society. Professor White was made an Honorary Fellow of The AusIMM for his committed service to the profession and the institute. Dr Beamish was awarded the prestigious Jim Torlach Health and Safety Award for his commitment to mine health and safety throughout his career both in academic research and teaching as well as time spent in industry. The awards will be presented in May at The AusIMM’s Annual Awards dinner to be held this year in Wollongong.

The commendations from the institute read as follows:

Dr Basil Beamish MAusIMM

Basil Beamish has shown inspirational leadership and commitment throughout his professional career including service to the Queensland coal industry as a Mines Rescue Team vice-captain and captain, during which time he led teams which won national mines rescue competitions and a Healy Cup (1983) in the Queensland competition. Basil’s work also resulted in increased awareness of the health and safety risks associated with spontaneous combustion and coal seam gas through regular presentations at AusIMM conferences and industry workshops in Australia and New Zealand.

From his significant contribution to combating the outburst hazard problem in underground operations as a key member of a mining research team at Collinsville Coal Mine in the 1980s to his current role as a Senior Lecturer in Mining Engineering at The University of Queensland, Basil has been a leader in advancing fire and explosion prevention and mining education.

John McPherson 3rd year MEA student talks about why he believes Mining Engineering is a good choice for him. He also talks about competing in the 2010 Mining Games.

3rd year MEA student and scholarship holder Scott Campbell at UNSW talks about learning Spanish and traveling to South America.