The partners forming the GMRA are CANMET-MMSL (Canada), CSIR Miningtek (South Africa), CSIRO Exploration and Mining (Australia), in association with NIOSH (USA).

 

The expertise offered by the four groups is extensive and covers mineral resource management and orebody information; mine design, transport/engineering; metallurgical processing; environmental research; rock engineering and safety; and occupational health, safety and training.

 

The alliance mirrors the consolidation of the mining industry over the last few years where the trend increasingly is for big companies to diversify and invest globally. The sustainability of mineral resource development is of growing importance – the triple bottom line of economic, social and environmental responsibility.

 

The GMRA sees an important role for itself within the area of sustainability globally -as the ‘honest broker’ for example, in the setting of mining standards in third world countries, or in addressing the many legacy issues that haunt the industry.

 

“If a large company such as BHP Billiton wanted to invest in China they would have to address many issues related to mining in the third world. Shareholders simply won’t allow investment there unless they do,” said GMRA managing director, Peter E. Dietrich.

 

At the same time mining research has rationalised meaning less funding in a changing industry. A key goal is therefore, to share expertise and facilities among the partners. The four partners control mining research worth US$80 million which will be leveraged to reduce duplication and coordinate research efforts.

 

“The alliance will provide a better result for fewer dollars,” Dietrich said.

 

Each of the research groups will continue to operate as independent entities and intellectual property belonging to individual mining companies will be protected where appropriate. Any GMRA research program will have to involve at least two of the partners.

 

Ground control is seen as a core competency and was the subject of the group’s first international workshop at NIOSH’s Bruceton Laboratory in Pittsburgh in October last year. This will be followed by a Mine Ventilation workshop, to be held next month, and a Mining Automation workshop, planned for October this year, to be held in Brisbane.

 

The GMRA invites enquiries related to contract research opportunities from around the world. For further information contact Peter Dietrich at pdietrich.gmra@cogeco.ca