$200k+ mine rehab scholarships up for grabs
More than $200k in post-graduate student scholarships is up for grabs to build on Queensland’s reputation as an international leader in coal mine rehabilitation.
Two scholarships valued at $40,000 a year over three years are now available through the Coal Minesite Rehabilitation Trust to post-graduate students studying at a Queensland university.
Queensland Resources Minister Scott Stewart says the scholarships give two university students the opportunity to pursue postgraduate studies in world-class environmental management.
“Mine rehabilitation is a key part of a company’s life of mine planning cycle to ensure better environmental outcomes and help create more jobs for Queenslanders after a mine is no longer in use,” he said.
“Good progress has been made in rehabilitation in Queensland and these scholarships continue to research that will lead to even better practices.
“The scholarships will support ongoing research to identify future improvements and ensure we can have confidence in the industry’s ability to manage and reduce its impacts.”
Established in 2007, the Coal Minesite Rehabilitation Trust is overseen by the Queensland Resources Council (QRC), the Queensland Government and industry representatives.
QRC chief executive Ian Macfarlane says the scholarships are a practical way to develop expertise in Queensland and lead the resources sector’s future rehabilitation works.
“This scholarship program benefits the whole resources sector by encouraging more research and fresh thinking into how we can continually improve and refine land rehabilitation practices,” he said.
“We are now seeing current and former coal mines working to transform to a range of productive and innovative post mining land uses including agriculture, renewable energy infrastructure, native ecosystems and community development.”
The applications are assessed against key priorities that include sustainable post-mining land uses and addressing long-term water management.
Applications close December 11, 2023.
