INNOVATIONS IN MINERAL PROCESSING EDUCATION IN AUSTRALIA THROUGH MTEC

摘要

The mining industry in Australia has become seriously concerned about the future supply of its professionals in mineral processing and allied disciplines. This paper outlines the backgrounds of the industry, the education sector, and the shortage problem. The industry's answer to the anticipated shortage of graduates was to form the Minerals Tertiary Education Council (MTEC). Funding from the industry and from government will exceed $A 15 million (y 60,000,000 ) over five years. This paper then focuses on specific teaching innovations at the University of South Australia, which fit into the larger MTEC framework. A small University team of researchers, academics, and education professionals are currently producing 6 undergraduate teaching modules on flotation. The module resources, construction, and anticipated delivery modes are described. The paper will then attempt to look into the future and anticipate how such teaching modules and techniques, might fit into minerals processing education in the Peoples' Republic of China.