Sarawak-UBC Collaboration Marks New Chapter In Green Mining

KUCHING, Nov 16 (Bernama) -- Sarawak’s green mining and quarrying sector reached a new milestone following a collaboration between Centre of Technical Excellence Sarawak (CENTEXS) and the State Ministry of Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability with the University of British Columbia (UBC), Canada.

In a statement today, CENTEXS said a Statement of Cooperation was recently signed by the three parties at the UBC campus in Vancouver to formalise joint efforts to build capacity and support sustainable mineral industry development in Sarawak.

“The institutions will collaborate in several key areas, including professional certification for post-degree mine and quarry training programmes, as well as bachelor’s and postgraduate programmes in mining and geology.

“There will also be research and development, and innovation in mineral resources, sustainable mineral development and workforce capacity building,” it said.

The collaboration would also include consultancy in satellite and unmanned aerial vehicle technologies, remote sensing, green artificial intelligence, robotics, intelligent automation and policy development for green mining and quarrying.

The parties had also discussed aligning research capabilities, training programmes and industry needs.

CENTEXS said the collaboration reaffirmed the state’s commitment to nurturing a skilled workforce and establishing a strong institutional framework for sustainable mining.

The centre said the collaboration stems from earlier engagements led by Sarawak Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hasan, who is also the State Minister for Natural Resources and Urban Development, during his visit to UBC’s Bradshaw Research Institute for Minerals and Mining in June last year.

It said the earlier visit laid the groundwork for accelerating Sarawak’s transition towards environmentally responsible mineral resource development.

-- BERNAMA