ACMER, the Australian Centre for Minerals Extension and Research, became a unit of the Sustainable Minerals Institute (SMI) at the University of Queensland in September 2006, and is one of nine Centres/Divisions of SMI.  Since 1994, when the precursor to ACMER, ACMRR (the Australian Centre for Minesite Rehabilitation Research) was established under the directorship of Professor Clive Bell, and from 1998 through to 2002 as the Australian Centre for Mining Environmental Research, the Centre has been a major provider of technology transfer and collaborative environmental research for the benefit of the minerals industry.  Additionally it has played a significant role in recent years (when it became the Australian Centre for Minerals Extension and Research) in assisting the minerals industry to meet and address the challenges of sustainable development. 

ACMER is able to draw upon a diverse range of skills from the six Centres located within the Sustainable Minerals Institute (SMI) and SMI Central itself. These Centres are:

Centre for Mined Land Rehabilitation (CMLR)
Centre for Social Responsibility in Mining (CSRM)
Centre for Water in the Minerals Industry (CWIMI)
Minerals Industry Safety and Health Centre (MISHC)
The Julius Kruttschnitt Mineral Research Centre (JKMRC)
WH Bryan Mining Geology Research Centre (BRC)

Since 1994, the Centre has conducted a total of 127 short courses, training courses and workshops on a broad range of topics both within Australia and internationally, and has been well supported by industry and government in that time.  Industry and government have benefited from the Centre’s courses on issues such as acid drainage, cyanide management, water management, mine environmental management and rehabilitation, native seed biology, mine closure and community engagement.  The Centre has also provided a valuable contribution to industry through the conduct of 33 major research projects on a range of topics including final void use and mine water management, acid drainage prevention and remediation, tailings management, waste rock dump stability and ecosystem reconstruction. Three of these research projects are continuing under the management of the Centre for Mined Land Rehabilitation.

ACMER’s objectives are:

• To undertake an professional development and education program, for industry and government and the community, involving training courses and workshops that focus on the development of capacity building in the practical application of sustainable development principles (developed by the International Council for Mining and Metals, ICMM, and elaborated in Enduring Value, the Australian Minerals Industry Framework for Sustainable Development); and
  
• To communicate outcomes of topical national and international research through workshops, short courses, training courses, publications, newsletters and ACMER’s website.

ACMER Team

 

	Mr Ron McLean SMI Knowledge Transfer -Manager Phone: +61 7 3346 4503 r.mclean@acmer.uq.edu.au
Ron joined ACMER in 1996 as Technology Transfer Manager and has since developed ACMER’s professional development program in close collaboration with the minerals industry and government. Ron focuses on ACMER’s strategic direction and has established a strong network with key industry personnel, such as specialist consultants throughout Australia & internationally and global mining companies, to ensure a quality knowledge transfer within the industry.  Ron’s background is in agriculture as he has previously worked with CSIRO as agricultural scientist.  In his spare time Ron is an enthusiastic trekker.
	Mr Bruce Barrie SMI Knowledge Transfer - Senior Training Coordinator Phone: +61 7 3346 4130 b.barrie@acmer.uq.edu.au
Bruce is trained and has worked as a Geologist and joined ACMER in 2008 as the Education and Training Coordinator assisting in developing and coordinating ACMER’s professional development program. Bruce has over 22 years experience in the educational sector and previously also worked with the Queensland Mining Council as Education Coordinator.
	Mrs Leigh Goss SMI Knowledge Transfer -Finance Officer Phone: +61 7 3346 4054 l.goss@acmer.uq.edu.au
Leigh is the main point of contact to register for ACMER workshops and courses.  She is responsible for processing registrations, maintaining the ACMER database and providing administrative support. Leigh also manages the accounts and overall finances. Prior to joining ACMER in 2003, Leigh could build up extensive experience in the finance sector working for over 17 years for ANZ in various branches in New South Wales and Queensland.
	Brigitte Braddock JKTech - Marketing Officer Phone: +61 7 3365 5908 b.braddock@jktech.com.au
Brigitte has resumed part time work with JKTech Technology Transfer Group as a Marketing Officer and will work with the SMI Knowledge Transfer Group on a project by project basis. Brigitte was born in Austria and holds a Master of Business Administration specialising in Marketing and International Management. She previously worked as project and marketing coordinator in IT companies and joined ACMER in January 2008 after moving to Australia.

Emer Prof Clive Bell and Dr Owen Nichols will be involved with ACMER on a part-time basis.  For their details please contact ACMER.

ACMER Contact Details

Postal:
ACMER
The University of Queensland
St Lucia  QLD  4072

Courier:
ACMER
Level 5, Sir James Foots Building
University of Queensland
St Lucia  QLD 4072

Phone: +61 7 3346 4502
Fax: +61 7 3346 4507             
Email:  info@acmer.uq.edu.au
Web: http://www.acmer.uq.edu.au