Beament calls for $100m investment

Northern Star Resources boss Bill Beament has called on the state government to commit $100 million towards the development of a mining education hub in Kalgoorlie through Curtin University’s WA School of Mines (WASM).

Mr Beament said there was an opportunity for the state to develop a global centre of excellence for mining education, research and training in Kalgoorlie through WASM.

In a statement, Mr Beament said he has approached the state government, as the former president of WASM Alumni, with a proposal to consider a $100 million allocation to WASM in next year’s budget to help develop the centre.

“Such an investment by the government would also have huge spin-off benefits for the Kalgoorlie residential and business communities as well as the wider Western Australian resources sector,” he said.

“The opportunities that would flow from such a centre of excellence would be consistent with many of the key policy initiatives advocated by Premier Mark McGowan during the state election earlier this year.

“This would include apprenticeships, local fabrication and manufacturing, training and employment in a range of cutting-edge technologies.”

Mr Beament’s comments were made as Northern Star announced plans to spend $50 million over 10 years on the expansion of its specialist underground geology and mining capability.

The funds will be invested in training aimed at further developing specialist skills associated with all facets of underground mining, as well as the acquisition and application of new technology and machinery to boost efficiency in exploration, development and production.

“We believe strongly that there is a lot more gold to be found in WA,” Mr Beament said.

“However, it is going to be harder to find and harder to mine.

“This investment initiative will ensure Northern Star remains at the forefront of deeper exploration and underground mining in Australia.”

Shares in Northern Star were 1.4 per cent lower to $4.63 each at the close of trade.