The ARC Centre for Mine Site Restoration (CMSR), directed by eminent botanist Professor Kingsley Dixon of Curtin’s Department of Environment and Agriculture, is coordinating research between Curtin University, Botanic Gardens and Parks Authority and The University of Western Australia (UWA).

In addition, the CMSR is supported by major industry partners including Sinosteel Midwest Corp, BHP Billiton, Hanson Construction Materials, Karara Mining, Cliffs Natural Resources, Mineral Resources, and the Society for Ecological Restoration Australasia.

Professor Dixon, who was named WA Scientist of the Year last August in recognition of his efforts in conservation science, restoration ecology and plant science, said it was vital that the mining industry was supported in applying high-quality science to its efforts to restore the integrity of mine sites.

He noted: “Restoration sits at the heart of Australia’s ability to sustainably and responsibly exploit its mineral wealth. The CMSR aims to connect high-end science with on-ground practice in mining restoration, and to train the next generation of high level researchers to be industry-ready.

“Researchers both at the post-graduate and doctoral level will work within industry, so industry will get to see them and understand the value of science, and the scientists will see how their research is valued and applied in the industry setting. They’ll be able to understand the needs of the mining sector and enhance the sector’s capacity to deliver improved financial, social and environmental outcomes.”

Professor Dixon said that the CMSR is one of the first ARC Industry Transformation Centres funded in Western Australia and was the culmination of decades of work and critical discoveries within the field of mine site restoration.

He explained: “I’ve spent 30 years working across the broad mining industry – it’s been a really exciting journey and it’s meant that WA, more than any other place in the world, leads in innovation in environmental repair following mining.

“The mining industry in WA has embraced the need for knowledge-led improvement in environmental management, however there is still much more work to be done. The industry has taken it on the chin that they need to do a lot better, because they mine on ancient, biodiverse and often important ecological landscapes, and it’s a great credit to them that they have risen to the occasion to support this centre.”

The centre, based at Curtin and with satellite activities at UWA, Kings Park and a number of mine sites, will focus on six key research areas: restoration genetics, seed technology and enablement, rare species management, restoration ecophysiology, restoration trajectory, and mining industry policy extension.

Its multi-disciplinary staff will deliver a suite of integrated and focused research projects that underpin successful mine site restoration outcomes.

Professor Dixon concluded: “What the centre will do is consolidate and deliver a more effective package across a broad range of industries, identifying a ‘restoration trajectory’ for sensitive sites and a generic toolkit that will have application globally – from transnational companies down to mums and dads working in local community groups to restore coastal dunes, local lakes and more.”