Edith Cowan University has been announced as the successful applicant for a new mining sector initiative, the Professorial Chair in Mining Work Health and Safety.
Funded as part of the Government of Western Australia’s ongoing commitment to the Mental Awareness, Respect and Safety (MARS) program, the Professorial Chair will bring tertiary institutions, government and industry together to develop undergraduate and postgraduate education for future mining industry workers.
The new initiative will also create and oversee a leading-edge research centre for mining work health and safety.
The WA Government is providing $1 million per annum for three years, with ECU matching that amount. Total support, including in-kind and from industry, is expected to be nearly $11 million across the three years.
Launched in December 2021 by the State Government, the MARS program boosts responses to mental health, workplace culture and mine safety in Western Australia’s mining sector.