Western Australian School of Mines takes Australian mining expertise worldwide

Australia is world-renowned for its expertise in mining, innovative METS, and leadership in sustainable mining practices. Now, the Western Australian School of Mines (WASM) is taking that expertise to the world – creating a unique ‘dual degree’ model and partnering with institutions globally to deliver the program.

Students will start the degree in their home country then finish the program in Western Australia, where many of the world’s biggest miners are located.

After being alerted to an opportunity in South America, in May 2025 WASM signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Universidad Nacional of Cuyo in Argentina. This was followed by a similar agreement in September 2025 with Universidad Nacional de San Juan, also in Argentina.

Thanks to global interest, WASM is now exploring opportunities in other major mining economies, including Peru, Chile, Saudi Arabia, Egypt and India.

Australia’s world-leading mining expertise

Curtin University’s School of Mines began in Coolgardie in 1902. The School moved to Kalgoorlie in 1903 after a fire gutted the initial accommodation.

Today, WASM is widely acclaimed as one of the world’s premier mining schools. Curtin was ranked fifth in the world for Mineral and Mining Engineering in the QS World University Rankings by Subject in 2025.

‘We have 2 campuses: our original school in Kalgoorlie and a campus in Bentley, near Perth,’ says John O’Neill, Director of Government and Industry Engagement at WASM. ‘Our expertise is concentrated in mining engineering, metallurgy, chemical engineering and energy engineering. WASM degrees are highly prestigious, and our graduates are sought after around the world.’

WASM sought novel ways to leverage its global reputation for mining expertise and landed on the idea of a ‘dual degree’. In effect, students from overseas would commence their degrees from their ‘home’ institution, but complete the program at Curtin. When successful, they would graduate from both institutions.

Partnering with Argentina

In early 2025, a TradeStart representative in Western Australia alerted O’Neill to an opportunity involving mining education in Mendoza. The city is located in the Andean foothills of western Argentina.

‘The Governor of Mendoza invited us to go over to Argentina,’ says O’Neill. ‘He wanted to discuss how WASM could help develop engineering training in the province.

‘We saw the potential for strong and sustained growth in the resources sector in Argentina. What’s more, this was an amazing opportunity to expand Curtin’s mining school and extend our global reputation.’

New degree courses for Argentinian students

In May 2025, O’Neill and his colleagues travelled to Mendoza to agree terms.

‘We signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Universidad Nacional de Cuyo (UNCYO),’ says O’Neill. ‘Engineering students will spend 2 years at UNCYO, then come to Curtin for 2 years. Then, they will return to Argentina for a final 6-month term.’

Successful students will gain dual qualifications: a BA in Engineering from UNCYCO, and a B.Eng. (Hons) from Curtin University.

In September 2025, WASM signed a similar MoU with the Universidad Nacional de San Juan, also in Argentina.

‘A Curtin degree puts Argentinian engineers into the top tier of graduating students – so it’s a huge gain for them,’ says O’Neill. ‘For Argentina, the program means a huge boost to local expertise. This is the best way to promote rapid development of Argentina’s mining industry.’

Governor Marcelo Orrego, San Juan, signing an MoU with WASM delegates, September 2025.

Working with TradeStart and Austrade

O’Neill calls out TradeStart and Austrade for their help in setting up the transnational collaboration. In particular, he says the initiative shown by TradeStart helped WASM to quickly conclude terms in Argentina.

‘I can’t speak highly enough of the TradeStart official,’ he says. ‘He is a super high-performer, and everything he delivered on our behalf was excellent.’

Austrade assistance is ongoing. In September 2025, O’Neill and 4 colleagues attended the PERUMIN mining conference in South America. Their objective: to explore whether the dual-degree formula could work in other jurisdictions.

‘The help we got from Austrade locally and internationally was absolutely superb,’ he says. ‘This includes connections and on-the-ground support in Peru. What’s more, it worked. We were easily the most popular education stand at PERUMIN.’

Major opportunities in Saudi Arabia, Egypt and India

WASM is now taking the unique, dual-degree model one step further. According to O’Neill, Saudi Arabia offers prospects for replicating the Argentinian model. WASM will attend the Future Minerals Forum in Riyadh in January 2026 to explore opportunities.

‘The Saudi Government wants mining to be a major part of the Kingdom’s future economy,’ he says. ‘We look forward to meeting with several Saudi universities.

‘Austrade will also help set up meetings with the Saudi Department of Industry and Mineral Resources, and the Saudi Mining Polytechnic.

‘We think we have got the degree formula right,’ says O’Neill. ‘We will have to adapt, but we want to form a long-term relationship with Saudi Arabia.

‘We are also responding to interest from Egypt and India. We hope to replicate the dual-degree model globally.’