Curtin University has appointed Professor Sam Spearing as Director of the Curtin WA School of Mines, which is located in the City of Kalgoorlie-Boulder in Western Australia’s Eastern Goldfields region and Curtin’s Bentley Campus.
Curtin Vice-Chancellor Professor Deborah Terry congratulated Professor Spearing on his appointment.
“Professor Spearing’s leadership will reinforce the global reputation of the School and strengthen the relationships between the Curtin WA School of Mines, the mining industry, alumni and local community,” Professor Terry said.
Professor Spearing, who first joined the Curtin WA School of Mines as Deputy Director in June last year, said he was honoured to be appointed Director and was looking forward to the new role that will be based in Kalgoorlie.
“I’m delighted to now be running the prestigious WA School of Mines, Curtin University, which for more than a century has been committed to providing some of the world’s finest mining and minerals education and facilities,” Professor Spearing said.
“Curtin WA School of Mines has earned a reputation for producing high-quality, industry-ready graduates in the fields of mining, metallurgy, geology, exploration geophysics and spatial sciences. I am excited to have the opportunity to lead the School in its continued efforts to strengthen international collaborations and increase research outputs.
“Over the past year, the Kalgoorlie community has been incredibly warm and welcoming and I look forward to continuing to work with the Goldfields community,” Professor Spearing said.
Prior to Curtin, Professor Spearing was an Associate Professor in the Department of Mining and Mineral Resources Engineering at Southern Illinois University, Carbondale, USA. He has a diverse background in academia and the mining industry, and an international career spanning 40 countries.
He has commercialised various patents and products, supported more than $1.5 million dollars of funded research since joining academia in 2007, and has been published in a variety of technical books and publications.
Professor Spearing commenced in the role on 27 July, 2016. Professor Boris Gurevich will continue as Acting Deputy Director of the School until the position is filled.
