THE Queensland Government and the Queensland Resources Council (QRC) have signed an agreement to continue research and technology development in coal mine rehabilitation in Queensland.
Minister for Mines and Energy Geoff Wilson said that under the agreement the QRC would administer the coal industry rehabilitation fund that was previously carried out by the Australian Centre for Minerals Extension and Research (ACMER).
The new arrangement will ensure that ongoing research and sound scientific advice is available to the coal industry to plan, operate and close mines in an environmentally and socially responsible manner, Wilson said.
“Since it was formed in 1998, ACMER has sponsored postgraduate scholarships in coal mine rehabilitation research through the fund at the University of Queensland and the Central Queensland University,” Wilson said.
QRC CEO Michael Roche said the transfer of ACMER’s responsibilities fitted well with QRC’s research, education and training charter.
“We’re a not-for-profit organisation with similar objectives to ACMER,” Roche said.
Michael Roche
QRC
qrcstaff@qrc.org.au
www.qrc.org.au