About WASM

The Western Australian School of Mines (WASM) is located on both the Kalgoorlie Campus in the heart of Australia's mining industry and the Bentley (Perth) Campus of Curtin University of Technology. Since its foundation in 1902 it has earned a reputation for excellence in mining education and research, both locally and internationally.

WASM graduates are highly sought after by industry and consistently receive amongst the highest starting salaries of any graduates in Australia with virtually a 100% employment rate. Through their studies in Kalgoorlie, students gain detailed insight into the operation of the mining industry prior to graduation and most develop the independence, self-confidence and people skills necessary for a successful professional career. If you have an interest in science or engineering and wish to embark on an exciting, challenging and financially rewarding career in Australia's most economically significant industry, then a professional qualification from the Western Australian School of Mines will be the key to your future.

Students in Kalgoorlie enjoy great camaraderie, relatively small class sizes and a caring academic community, all of which enhance academic achievement, while students in Perth can take advantage of being located on one of Western Australia's most vibrant university campuses. The Student Guild provides club facilities on-campus, and Kalgoorlie has a wide range of easily accessible sporting and recreational facilities.

The mining industry and WA Government also provide financial support through an academically competitive industry-sponsored scholarship scheme.

The Western Australian School of Mines encompasses the departments of Mining Engineering, Minerals Engineering and Extractive Metallurgy, Mineral Economics, Mining Geology, Applied Geology, Spatial Sciences and Exploration Geophysics.

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History of the Western Australia School of Mines

The Western Australian School of Mines (WASM) was established in the Goldfields in 1902 as a result of a recommendation of a Government Committee of Inquiry. Following the discovery of gold at Coolgardie and Kalgoorlie, people flocked in their thousands to this part of the State. With the difficulty of treating refractory ores and the prospect of underground mining becoming a reality there was an urgent need for a facility to train and educate people in mining related fields of study.

WASM was initially set up at Coolgardie in one of the buildings erected for the International Mining and Industrial Exhibition of 1899. However, at about the same time, the State Government released sufficient funds to build new premises at Kalgoorlie and consequently staff and students moved to this location in 1903. The original building now houses the School's Computer Centre, Mining Geology Program and Administration.

WASM was administered by the Department of Mines until 1969 when it became a branch of the Western Australian Institute of Technology, which has since become the Curtin University of Technology. Its associateship courses were renamed as degree courses, additional undergraduate courses were introduced, and a range of course and research postgraduate programs have been developed.

WASM 1902
The above photo of the original WASM building is courtesy of the Eastern Goldfields Historical Society

Message from the Director

A very warm welcome to the Western Australian School of Mines (WASM) website!

WASM's vision is to be the institution of choice for minerals-related teaching, learning, research and development.

WASM's mission is to contribute to a sustainable minerals sector through excellence in education, research and professional advice.

WASM places particular value on:

professional ethics and accountability;
its staff and their expertise and development;
its students and their development as citizens of the world;
its relationships with clients and the global community; and
all who foster an environment of excellence at the School

Everyone involved with WASM is passionate about the place: the 50 or so academic, research, technical and administrative staff, the 700 or more talented people enrolled in WASM degrees, the local community, the minerals industry and, of course, our capable graduates. We are all deeply proud of WASM's achievements now and over the past 103 years, which continue to place it amongst the world's truly great minerals education and research institutions.

WASM is proud to be one of a select few institutions that is recognised by the Minerals Council of Australia as delivering excellence in minerals education, and is actively involved in the Minerals Tertiary Education Council's initiatives.

The WASM of the 21st century offers a range of challenging and reputable undergraduate and coursework-based postgraduate programs, producing graduates that are sought after by our modern minerals industry. In addition, there are research opportunities leading to the award of higher degrees, including the doctoral degree, which can be earned by working within one of our applied research groups or by conducting research from an industry base.

Enjoy your visit to our website and don't hesitate to contact us if we can assist you further.