Western Australian industry and students will have access to a world-class wear testing laboratory, potentially saving billions in industry costs and providing an advanced training facility unparalleled in Australia, Employment and Training Minister Graham Kierath said.
Rio Tinto handed over its wear testing laboratory today on indefinite loan to Central Metropolitan College of TAFE and the Materials Institute of Western Australia. coal mill plant
Abrasive wear of metals and other materials represents a big cost to mining, agriculture, manufacturing and other industries. The Rio Tinto wear testing laboratory is considered the premier facility of its type in Australia.
Mr Kierath said the handover meant a range of Western Australian industries would be able to use the facility designed to prove and improve the wear-life of materials such as metals, while students in the Diploma of Metallurgy and other specialised wear testing courses would gain skills in a area crucial to competitive industry performance.coal crusher plant
"This handover is also an example of collaboration between education and training bodies and industry," the Minister said.
"This is a partnership that crosses education sectors, and forges strong ties with a world leader in mining.
"Rio Tinto's decision to hand over operations of its wear testing laboratory to the college and the Materials Institute provides an outstanding opportunity for people seeking entry to, or already working in, a range of skill.
"It will also allow the college and the institute to forge more ties with industry groups, as its use by industry increases."
NOTE: The Materials Institute of Western Australia is a company formed to carry out research and development in materials for WA industry.
Highway Stone Crushing Plant