Western Australian School of Mines

School of Mines building, Coolgardie, circa 1929.

The Western Australian School of Mines (WASM) was founded in 1902 as a tertiary school specialising in subjects directly related to the Western Australian mining industry. Originally located in Coolgardie, WASM later move to Kalgoorlie and continues to be primarily funded from independent sources. In 1969 the Department of Mines transferred management of WASM to Western Australian Institute of Technology which later became Curtin University.

History

The school was initially set up at Coolgardie in a building erected for the International Mining and Industrial Exhibition of 1899. It moved to Kalgoorlie in 1903 after State government funds were released. One of the co-founders was Edward Sydney Simpson.

The following description appeared in the Western Argus on 7 June 1903:

"The first week in October should see the completion of the Kalgoorlie School of Mines building, which is now being erected in Egan-street, next to the Chamber of Mines. It is a spacious structure with a frontage of 135ft. 2in. and a depth of 117ft. 4in., and when completed will be a handsome addition to the many big buildings in this city. In front there will be a verandah with a concrete floor 10ft. in depth and 76ft. in length. Then there will come the main entrance hall, close on the left of which is to be the senior laboratory, and on the right the secretary's office, lobby, lecturer', assistants', and directory rooms. The extreme right will be taken up by a class room, preparation room, lecture hall, and drawing office. [...]. On the extreme left side will be the furnace, assay, metallurgists' laboratory, laboratory assistants' and balance rooms, and at the back will be another balance room, lobby, and the caretaker's and class rooms. There is also space for central courtyard. Altogether there will be 16 fume covers, 11 melting furnaces, and six muffle and assay furnaces, and for carrying off smoke from these, a large chimney stack is to be built. A drainage scheme is provided for throughout. Mr. A.E. Clarke is the architect, and Messrs. W. and J. Park are the contractors for the work."

The school was administered by the Department of Mines until 1969 when it became a branch of the Western Australian Institute of Technology (now Curtin University).

The School currently offers degrees in:

• Mining Engineering,
• Extractive Metallurgy,

(both degrees can be undertaken in Kalgoorlie only, or the first two years at Curtin University, Bentley, then the final year(s) at WASM in Kalgoorlie)

• Metallurgical Engineering,
• Mining Geology (first two years must be undertaken at Curtin, final year in Kalgoorlie)
• Spacial Sciences,
• Chemistry, and
• Economics

The Mining Engineering degree in 2007 combined with University of New South Wales and University of Queensland to form the Minerals Education Australia Program.

In 2009 WASM formed a partnership with the Curtin Graduate School of Business (CGSB), this resulted in the establishment of the Department of Mineral and Energy Economics (DMEE). DMEE has established a strong international reputation for excellence in education and research in mineral economics and is now proudly housed at the CGSB. The decision to expand the program into a department and co-locate within the CGSB is an acknowledgement of the program’s success in developing future leaders within the resources sector. It complements the CGSB’s achievements as a leading provider of graduate management and leadership education and its particular expertise in resource and energy markets and puts the CGSB in a strong position to create the leading thinkers and managers required for the next resources boom. The combined linkages with the resources industry have given students the opportunity to gain a high quality education that combines practical and theoretical elements building most effectively on the strong partnership between the CGSB and WASM.

Most of the programs students are mid-career resource sector professionals aiming to broaden their skills to move into more senior management or decision-making roles from government and private sector companies. About 30% of students are mining engineers, 30% are geologists and 15% are metallurgists. The remainder are a mix of commerce/business, economics and law graduates. The average age is 33 years. While most are from the region, we also enjoy support from other parts of Australia and internationally. Over the span of the program, it has attracted students from 25 nations. Graduates from the programs may be found in a range of senior managerial and decision-making roles in sectors such as consulting, government, politics, construction and mining and energy related companies.

This parternship has seen the expansion of programs available to potential students which include the following:

Graduate Certificate in Mineral and Energy Economics

This major has been designed for those currently working in minerals and resources or those considering a career in this field. This 100-credit course combines knowledge of mineral economics with other relevant requirements of the CGCB ensuring that graduates have a broad coverage of key functional disciplines of business management as well as specialised knowledge of the industry. Students achieving a course weighted average of 70 per cent in this major may be invited to join the Master of Science (Mineral and Energy Economics) or the 450 credit master degree, the Master of Science (Mineral and Energy Economics)/Master of Business Administration.

Master of Science (Mineral and Energy Economics)

Building on the foundation studies of business and mining disciplines, this 300 credit program (single masters program) prepares candidates for more senior management roles in the mining and energy sectors. It focuses on economic, financial and management issues as they relate to both mining and energy. Faculty members are drawn from the Department of Mineral and Energy Economics, the Curtin Graduate School of Business and other Australian and overseas universities, as well as from the resources sector.

The course offers two majors - Mineral Economics and Energy Economics and within those majors, two streams for those with technical or non-technical backgrounds. Well-performed candidates without an appropriate background may be admitted but will be required to complete appropriate bridging and special course units as prescribed. In certain cases, the need to complete these special units may result in an extension of studies beyond the normal length of the course.

Master of Science [Mineral and Energy Economics] Major: Mineral Economics

This major undertaken within the Master of Science (Mineral and Energy Economics) will provide students with a thorough foundation in contemporary business theories and mining disciplines. Emphasis is also placed on the creation and critical evaluation of innovative ideas and strategies within ambiguous and uncertain environments relevant to mineral economics. The curriculum has a highly applied practical focus and is delivered by leading academics and business practitioners.

This major has two streams - one for students with a non-technical or business undergraduate background and one for students with a technical undergraduate background:

Non-technical or business undergraduate background Technical undergraduate background

Master of Science [Mineral and Energy Economics] Major: Energy Economics

This major undertaken within the Master of Science (Mineral and Energy Economics) will provide students with a thorough foundation in contemporary business theories and mining disciplines. Emphasis is also placed on the creation and critical evaluation of innovative ideas and strategies within ambiguous and uncertain environments relevant to energy economics. The curriculum has a highly applied practical focus and is delivered by leading academics and business practitioners.

This major has two streams - one for students with a non-technical or business undergraduate background and one for students with a technical undergraduate background:

Non-technical or business undergraduate background Technical undergraduate background

Master of Science [Mineral and Energy Economics]/Master of Business Administration

With the advantage of combining a specialisation in either Energy Economics or Mineral Economics with the Curtin MBA, the 450-credit MSc(MEE)/MBA is becoming a popular choice for students with experience in the resources area wanting consolidation of their business and management skills.

Students are streamed according to their undergraduate background into non-technical/business or technical/business options.

Further reading

• White, M. A.(1971) School of Mines of Western Australia : a history, 1900-1971 Perth: Murdoch University

External links

• Western Australian School of Mines Homepage
• Research conducted by WASM's non teaching arms
• WASM Student Website
• Courses available through WASM