BHP Curtin Alliance

The future of the resources sector will be underpinned by world-class research, technology and education. The BHP-Curtin University Alliance leverages Curtin’s excellence in research and teaching together with BHP’s global mining and resources expertise.

The alliance is based on a shared commitment to innovation, technology, sustainability and preparing students for the jobs of the future.

It builds on a long history of engagement between BHP and Curtin in mining, chemical engineering, exploration geophysics and geology, and has expanded into additional areas like environmental management and automation.

Research and development

BHP is working closely with Curtin to apply innovative thinking and world-class expertise in designing novel solutions to address some of the industry’s biggest challenges, working with the Australian Research Council (ARC) and Cooperative Research Centres (CRC).

Some examples of the collaborations between BHP and Curtin include:

• ARC Training Centre for Transforming Maintenance through Data Science
  Delivering the next generation of data science solutions and training focused on efficient and effective maintenance.

• ARC Industrial Transformation Training Centre for Mine Site Restoration
  Developing proven, cost-effective, and scalable restoration solutions to enhance financial, social and environmental outcomes.

• CRC for Transitions in Mining Economies
  Enabling regions and communities to transition to a prosperous and sustainable post-mine future.

• Future Battery Industries CRC
  Creating the tools, technologies and skills to grow the role of battery storage in Australia’s electricity grids, and make Australia a larger player in global battery value chains.

• MinEx CRC
  Developing technologies to increase the discovery of new mineral deposits.

• CRC Optimise Resource Extraction (ORE)
  Deploying innovative world-class technology to radically improve the productivity, energy and water signatures of mining operations.

Job ready graduates and workplace capabilities, focused on the future of work

The alliance will create talent pipelines for job-ready graduates focused on the changing world of work, autonomous technology and robotics.

Curtin and BHP will work together on education programs for Curtin students, including curricular and industry-based experiences, as well as a program of scholarships awarded to Curtin students.

The scholarships will support the next generation of leaders in Western Australia and build on BHP’s long standing commitment to grow female participation in the resources industry and support development opportunities for Indigenous Australians.

In addition to producing job ready graduates, the alliance will support BHP’s workplace capabilities and professional development opportunities.

Social impact

The alliance will deliver outcomes that advance Indigenous cultural capability and address sustainable community development and environmental challenges. This includes a project aiming to improve air quality and reduce dust emissions across BHP’s Pilbara operations.