The Hon Bill Marmion MLA, Minister for Mines and Petroleum: Housing officially launched the Minerals Research Institute of Western Australia (MRIWA) at a function hosted by the Chamber of Minerals and Energy of Western Australia (CME).
MRIWA is a statutory body established by the Western Australian Government under the Minerals Research Institute of Western Australia Act 2013 to stimulate minerals research to support investment in, and operation of, a globally competitive minerals industry in Western Australia.
At the MRIWA launch, CME Chief Executive Reg Howard-Smith said the Institute is a strategic focal point for the Western Australian Government’s involvement in the direct and indirect aspects of minerals research.
“The Institute provides a great opportunity for the industry and stakeholders to negotiate the priorities for Western Australia’s investment in minerals research,” said Mr Howard-Smith.
MRIWA’s primary function is to provide and administer funding grants to carry out minerals research. MRIWA is also able to undertake and procure minerals research itself. It is able to collaborate with local, Australian and worldwide research and scientific institutions.
As well as directly supporting minerals research projects, MRIWA funds are available for projects, programs and events that promote public awareness of, and interest in, minerals research, and to support relevant academic activities.
The expertise of MRIWA is available to the State Minister and the WA Government to foster and promote minerals research for the benefit of the State.
“It’s fitting that Western Australia with its tremendous endowment of minerals should become a world leader of minerals research through the work of the MRIWA and other local institutions,” said Mr Howard-Smith.
“With a strong commitment to research and innovation, the Western Australian resources sector will remain internationally competitive and continue to deliver real benefits and opportunities to the community of Western Australia,” said Mr Howard-Smith.
For further information on MRIWA please visit mriwa.wa.gov.au
