
Dr Wayne Stange, AMIRA Managing Director, resigns to join JKMRC as Director
The world’s largest mineral processing and geometallurgy research centre has appointed a new Director to guide it through the next stage of strategic development.
Dr Wayne Stange will join the Julius Kruttschnitt Mineral Research Centre (JKMRC) within The University of Queensland’s Sustainable Minerals Institute (SMI), transitioning with the existing Director during the second half of 2012. He brings with him 25 years’ experience in research and technical roles, as well as in management consulting in the minerals industry.
Dr Stange said: “I look forward to continuing many of the relationships that I have established with AMIRA stakeholders in my new role at JKMRC. It is an esteemed organisation which I feel privileged to lead at a time when the resources industry is facing unprecedented challenge and opportunity.”
Dr Neville Plint, AMIRA Chairman, added: “Wayne and the Board of AMIRA have set AMIRA on an exciting new course which we will continue to build from. I look forward to updating our stakeholders as we work through a seamless handover process during 2012. We wish Wayne everything of the best in his new role and look forward to building on our strong relationship with SMI.”
JKMRC has worked closely with AMIRA since 1961 when the AMIRA P9 project was initially conceived, marking a significant event which would shape JKMRC research and AMIRA’s collaborative research approach for the next 50 years. JKMRC has been successfully involved with several other AMIRA projects and the appointment of Dr Stange will only strengthen this long-term strategic partnership for the benefit of both organisations.
Dr Stange will be instrumental in ensuring research from JKMRC remains relevant to industry and government, and meets the requirements of its many stakeholders.
Further, he will be pivotal in the development and implementation of SMI’s NextMine and NextWorkforce strategic initiatives. These complementary programs will integrate SMI’s existing disciplinary excellence to ensure more sustainable and efficient mining operations in the future with appropriately trained personnel.
“I am delighted to welcome Wayne to the Sustainable Minerals Institute – he brings a wealth of industry and technical experience to the Julius Kruttschnitt Mineral Research Centre,” SMI Director Professor Chris Moran said.
“Wayne has established a rapport with JKMRC staff and sponsors of the Centre during his term with AMIRA, that positions him and the Centre to continue delivering the world-leading outcomes that everyone has come to expect.”
Dr Stange succeeds Professor Geoff Gault, who has been JKMRC’s Director for the last two years. Professor Moran commended Professor Gault’s efforts: “I would like to take this opportunity to thank Geoff, who has provided insight and leadership to JKMRC during a time of transition for the Centre.”
ENDS
For further information, please contact:
Katie Legge
Executive Assistant
AMIRA International Ltd
+61 3 8636 9987
Katie.Legge@AMIRAInternational.com
AMIRA International Ltd
AMIRA International Ltd is an independent association of minerals companies which develops, brokers and facilitates collaborative research projects. Through this process a number of companies can jointly fund research and jointly share the benefits. This combined funding enables AMIRA to recruit the world’s leading researchers to address industry problems and opportunities and to conduct sustained research which leads to the development of a stronger industry research base. For more information go to www.amirainternational.com.
SUSTAINABLE MINERALS INSTITUTE
The Sustainable Minerals Institute is made up of seven research centres whose disciplinary roots lie in people, environment and production. Established in 2001, the Institute’s research covers all facets of mining from exploration to site rehabilitation. The Institute has approximately 350 staff including 100 postgraduate students. For more information go to www.smi.uq.edu.au.
JULIUS KRUTTSCHNITT MINERAL RESEARCH CENTRE
The Julius Kruttschnitt Mineral Research Centre (JKMRC) is the global mineral industry’s partner-of-choice for innovation in mineral processing and geometallurgy research. It is the largest Australian research centre in this field and collaborates with major mining and mineral processing research groups worldwide. For almost 50 years, the Centre has developed a strong reputation for the delivery of its applied research outcomes and for its postgraduate education program. For more information go to www.jkmrc.uq.edu.au.