MRIWA boosted by additional funding from WA

The funds further strengthen Western Australia’s support of its minerals industry, with MRIWA a leading driver of research and innovation across the mining sector.

As MRIWA prioritise high-value research proposals, its research portfolio continues to expand. A portfolio of $37.3 million in June 2018 has grown to $86.7 million as of June 30, 2021.

MRIWA chief executive officer Nicole Roocke told Australian Mining the extra funding is a significant achievement for the institute.

“This almost doubles our funding that we’re able to invest in minerals research on an annual basis,” Roocke said.

“It enables us to be able to continue looking at what our focus areas are and making investment into projects which support those focus areas.”

The funding will solidify MRIWA’s work in improving mining sustainability.

“Two of the focus areas that we have, one is on net-zero emission mining and the other is on green steel,” Roocke said.

“What (the funding) enables us to do is to be able to escalate the research that we’re able to do to help the sector in those two areas.”

Western Australia Mines and Petroleum Minister Bill Johnston believes the added support is important for mining’s continued advancement in the state.

“This additional funding will enable MRIWA to continue its open grant program and increase investment activities to strengthen our state’s mining sector,” he said.

“Exploration spending in WA is at a nine-year high so it’s more important than ever that we use this opportunity to invest in minerals research to future-proof our state.”