The IM4DC Program delivered an integrated portfolio of activities, with the core short course program supplemented by Fellowships, Action Research projects, Publications, and Alumni activities.
Institutional collaborations occurred across most activity categories, involving partners in many regions. These components were designed to interact with, and reinforce each other and to build a critical mass of engagement to deliver impact in focus countries.
Short course program
The Short Course program included flagship programs delivered in Australia, focused on each of our strategic programming areas, and targeting diverse groups of participants from priority countries. These programs included Community Aspects of Resource Developments, Environmental Management in Mining, Occupational Health and Safety Leadership, Mineral Policy and Economics, Resource Governance and Regional Development. IM4DC also worked to develop customised programs and study tours developed in response to specific partner needs, delivered both in Australia and in overseas locations. Full details of these activities can be found in our Centre Reports in the Resources section of this site. Over the life of the program we delivered:
- Over 50 short courses, study tours and workshops delivered in Australia for 892 participants
- Over 50 short courses and workshops delivered in priority countries to 1857 participants, with regional participation through ‘hubbing’ and involvement of local partner institutions.
The in-country courses were designed to address specific needs, and included topics such as Mining Tax Administration, Incident Investigation and Analysis, Development of Small and Medium Enterprises, Application of GIS systems, Agreement-Making with Indigenous Peoples, and Management of Tailings Facilities.
Fellowships
The Fellowship program was designed to provide more extensive engagement for individuals and small groups to address specific development needs, and also to enable some Fellows to undertake research and/or examine mining for development issues in detail. A total of 27 individuals were involved in these activities, which included groups of Mines Inspectors working alongside their Australian counterparts, and Regional Planners spending time with local government agencies in mining regions.
Action Research
The Action Research program was designed to enable research in key mining for development themes which would provide content for capacity-building activities. It included support for projects undertaken by students from developing countries working on Mining for Development themes at various Australian Universities, as well as commissioned work addressing key strategic areas. The reports from these activities can be found in the Resources section of this website. Over the life of the centre we facilitated:
- 28 student projects
- 40 staff projects awarded on a competitive basis
- 24 Commissioned research projects.
Topics addressed all aspects of the IM4DC Strategic Programming Areas, targeting specific priority themes including gender aspects of mining, and topical issues including transfer pricing and tax administration.