1301.0 - Year Book Australia, 2002  
ARCHIVED ISSUE Released at 11:30 AM (CANBERRA TIME) 25/01/2002   
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Contents >> Mining >> Mining - Research

Research into exploration, mining, ore dressing and metallurgy is conducted by government bodies, universities, private enterprise, and by the combined efforts of all these. A summary of the main organisations and their functions follows.


AGSO - Geoscience Australia

AGSO - Geoscience Australia (formerly the Australian Geological Survey Organisation) is the national geoscience research and information agency. It assists the government and the community to make appropriate and informed decisions about the use of resources, management of the environment, and the safety and wellbeing of its citizens. Its main activities centre on geoscience for urban centres, coasts and oceans and regional and rural areas. They include:

  • seismic monitoring services, earthquake and landslide risk assessments and nuclear test ban treaty technical advice;
  • providing information on the earth's magnetic field for direction-finding, mineral exploration, geological dating and many other applications;
  • ocean mapping, estuarine health studies and involvement in the International Ocean Drilling Program;
  • identifying and promoting potential hydrocarbon areas and prospective basins for exploration and investment; and
  • producing national geoscientific maps, databases and information systems, conducting regional and mineral systems studies and advising on Australia's mineral resources for land use planning and management and minerals exploration promotion.


Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO)


CSIRO contributes to the development of sustainable and competitive minerals and energy industries in Australia through research and development activities.

This is achieved by the provision of research and development capabilities to support existing and emerging industries, as well as providing for the next generation of technology, products and processes. At the same time, CSIRO endeavours to bring about safe and ecologically sustainable development through research and advice on environmental issues related to client industries. By working closely with industry, government and other organisations, CSIRO helps transform research outcomes into new or improved business opportunities.

The research activities are conducted by CSIRO divisions as part of work programs in support of the following sectors defined by CSIRO:
  • the Minerals Exploration and Mining sector;
  • the Mineral Processing and Metal Production sector;
  • the Petroleum sector; and
  • the Energy sector,

under the guidance of the respective industry-based Sector Advisory Committees.

See Forestry and fishing and Science and innovation for more information on the CSIRO.


AMIRA International (Australian Mineral Industries Research Association Limited)

AMIRA International is a not-for-profit private sector company, established in 1959 to facilitate the technical advancement of its members in the mineral, coal, petroleum and associated industries. It has membership and support of about 100 companies in Australia and internationally.

AMIRA International brokers and manages jointly funded research projects on a fee for service basis. Project sponsors are required to be AMIRA members. Typically, at any one time there are 75 projects under management valued at $35m.

The primary benefit delivered by AMIRA International is the output from project sponsorship.


Australian Bureau of Agricultural and Resource Economics (ABARE)

ABARE is a professionally independent agency devoted to applied economic research.

For over 50 years ABARE has worked with industry and government to provide stakeholders in Australia's rural and resource industries with up-to-date public policy analysis and commodity forecasts.

ABARE's research seeks to clearly and independently identify the benefits and costs of alternative policy options for consideration by government and private decision makers. ABARE's data about domestic and international economic performance help clients achieve increased productivity, enhanced value and improved market access.

ABARE services include:
  • deriving supply and demand projections;
  • assessing the outlook for commodity prices;
  • examining patterns of national and world production and consumption;
  • analysing the impact of economic policies;
  • developing analytical computer programs and economic policies;
  • undertaking regional and environmental economic assessments; and
  • providing economic assessments of factors affecting the competitiveness of the resources sector.

ABARE undertakes economic research on issues affecting the full range of major minerals, energy, agricultural and natural resources industries, as well as on climate change, and on macroeconomic, microeconomic and trade issues relating to these industries.



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