UNSW Minerals and Energy Resources Engineering

Congratulations to CEREN KARATAŞ BATAN, PhD candidate at the UNSW Minerals and Energy Resources Engineering, on receiving the prestigious Michael Karmis PhD Award at the Society of Mining Professors / Societät der Bergbaukunde (SOMP) 2026 Annual General Meeting, hosted by Virginia Tech. 👏

This international award recognises outstanding PhD research in mining engineering and reflects Ceren's dedication, perseverance, and commitment to advancing the field through high-quality, impactful research.

Ceren's PhD research is being undertaken through a CRC-P project in collaboration with our industry partner JENNMAR Australia, focusing on addressing ground support challenges in mining. Her achievement demonstrates the power of industry–university collaboration in delivering innovative research with real-world impact and highlights the value of partnerships that combine academic excellence with industry expertise.

Congratulations also to Ceren's supervisory team: Serkan Saydam, Joung Oh, Chengguo Zhang, and Peter Craig, whose guidance has contributed to this outstanding achievement.

Congratulations to UNSW Minerals and Energy Resources Engineering 4th year student Keisha Sealy on being awarded the 2026 Sir Frank Espie/Rio Tinto Leadership Award presented by AusIMM. 👏

Keisha joins a distinguished group of emerging leaders who are helping to shape a sustainable, innovative, and inclusive future for the minerals sector.

https://lnkd.in/eUV-C2Be

Thank you to Mount Thorley Warkworth mine, for hosting UNSW Minerals and Energy Resources Engineering second year mining students for a mine site visit.

The team’s enthusiasm, and willingness to share their experiences made both visits a tremendous success. The students thoroughly enjoyed their day and gained valuable insights into the industry.

We greatly appreciate your support and commitment to developing the next generation of mining professionals. 👏

UNSW School of Minerals and Energy Resources Engineering invites you to the 28th Kenneth Finlay Memorial Lecture.

This year marks a significant milestone: 30 years of the Chair of Rock Mechanics at UNSW, and 50 years since Ken Finlay's pioneering initiatives in Australian mine safety.

Join us for the 28th Kenneth Finlay Memorial Lecture, where Emeritus Professor Jim Galvin will reflect on five decades of progress in Australia’s mine safety and health performance, and what the future of the industry demands.

🗓 Wednesday 29th July 2026
🕕 6:00–8:30 PM (registrations from 5:30 PM)
📍 Tyree Room, John Niland Scientia Building, UNSW Sydney
🥂 Followed by networking, drinks, and canapés

Don’t miss this chance to hear from Emeritus Professor Galvin who has spent five decades at the intersection of mine safety, research, and industry leadership.

Register now: https://lnkd.in/giFWvWXh

The future of engineering is being shaped right now, by people worth celebrating 🙌

Join us for the 2026 UNSW Women in Engineering Awards, an evening celebrating the women, non-binary, and gender-diverse individuals leading, innovating, and inspiring across the profession.

With Dr. Marlene Kanga AO, Chair of Rux Energy and Non-Executive Director of Endeavour Energy, ARTC, and Standards Australia, as our keynote speaker. Marlene will share insights from her leadership journey and her vision for a more inclusive future for engineering.

📅 Monday 6th July, 6:00pm-8:30pm
📍 Ilumina, Sydney
🎟️ https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/2026-unsw-women-in-engineering-awards-tickets-1990830348163?aff=oddtdtcreator&keep_tld=true

Thinking about a future in Mining Engineering, Petroleum and Geoenergy & Geostorage Engineering?

Join us for the UNSW Engineering Information Evening 2026 and discover where a degree in engineering can take you.

From building sustainable mining operations to tackling global energy challenges and driving the transition to net zero, engineering is at the heart of shaping our future, and it starts here at UNSW.

Hear directly from current students, academics and advisors about:

- What it’s like to study engineering at UNSW
- Entry pathways and program options
- Student life, opportunities and career outcomes
- Insights into emerging fields and industry trends

Whether you're curious about Mining Engineering, Petroleum and Geoenergy & Geostorage Engineering, or the future of resources, this is your chance to explore your options and ask questions.

📅 Wednesday 13 May
⏰ 6–7 PM (AEST)
💻 Online

Register now: https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/unsw-engineering-information-evening-2026-tickets-1312420488009?aff=UNSWSocials

Last week, our School proudly hosted the 2026 Annual School Awards at the Roundhouse, UNSW, in partnership with AusIMM—bringing together students, staff, and industry leaders from across the resources sector.

The evening celebrated outstanding achievement across all stages of our Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) programs. We extend our sincere congratulations to all 2025 prize recipients, your accomplishments reflect not only academic excellence, but the future strength and leadership of the resources and energy industry.

We also thank our panel speakers, Chris Corcoran (TOMRA Mining), Katherine Courtney, Leonard Rowe and Sam Davis for sharing their insights and experiences, providing valuable guidance and inspiration to our students.

A special thank you to Jon Robbeson, Chair of the AusIMM Sydney Branch, for his support.

We gratefully acknowledge all prize donors and partners: AusIMM, WIMnet NSW, the New South Wales Minerals Council, Behre Dolbear, Mitsubishi, Charles Warman, David Phillips, Jim Galvin, Bruce Hebblewhite and Stan Sawyer. Your generous support plays a vital role in recognising and encouraging excellence in our students.

We are saddened to share the passing of Dr Chris Daly, a valued alumnus, former staff member, and Presiding Member of .

Dr Daly was a respected member of the School of Minerals and Energy Resources Engineering community and a generous mentor to many. His contribution to the School and the impact he had on colleagues and students will be remembered.

Our thoughts are with his wife Christine, and with all who knew him.

He will be greatly missed.

Meet Will Haseler, a second-year Mining Engineering Honours student at UNSW. Originally from Central West NSW, Will is exploring how engineering, innovation, and real-world problem solving come together in the mining sector.

What inspired you to study Mining, Petroleum, Geoenergy, or Georesources Engineering, and what excites you most about these fields?

I knew I wanted to study Engineering because of my interest in maths and physics. Mining Engineering stood out because I thought it combined strong technical-problem solving skills with practical, real-world application. What excites me most about the mining sector is its critical role in meeting the world’s growing demand for energy, resources, and minerals, as well as its continuous evolution through innovation and improved efficiency.

How have your studies at UNSW shaped your readiness for your future career?

My studies have developed both my technical understanding and problem-solving approach. The coursework is closely aligned with industry applications, which has helped build confidence in applying theory to real scenarios. This was reinforced during my vacation work with Newmont at the Cadia site, where I was exposed to a range of disciplines and could see how classroom concepts translate directly into practice.

What aspects of the mining, petroleum, or geo-related industries do you find most fascinating?

I find drill and blast engineering particularly interesting because it requires detailed planning and precision, while also producing immediate, tangible results in the mine. More broadly, I’m interested in how mining operations integrate engineering, geology, and safety to efficiently extract resources.

Can you share something about student life that has been particularly valuable?

A valuable part of my student life at UNSW has been my involvement in the MERE Society. Through this, I’ve connected with other mining engineering students, built strong friendships, and developed my professional skills and network through industry nights.

How do you think your degree will position you to make a positive impact on global challenges in the future?

Mining plays a critical role in supplying the resources needed for global development and the transition to renewable energy, and more advanced technologies. This degree provides the technical foundation to contribute to more efficient, sustainable, and responsible resource extraction.

Looking back on your experience at UNSW MERE, what advice would you give to someone who is still deciding what to study?

I would recommend keeping an open mind when choosing a discipline and considering what you value, as well as the skills you believe will be in demand and genuinely interest you. UNSW offers strong industry connections, hands-on learning opportunities, and a supportive cohort environment, all of which make it a great place to study.

The global energy transition is fundamentally a subsurface challenge.

From critical minerals required for electrification, to carbon storage, hydrogen, geothermal energy and fluid systems, the future of energy will increasingly depend on how effectively we understand and engineer the subsurface.

UNSW Minerals and Energy Resources Engineering is once again ranked #1 in Australia in both Mineral & Mining Engineering and Petroleum Engineering in the 2026 QS World University Rankings by Subject. Globally, Mining Engineering is ranked #3 in the world, and Petroleum Engineering #13 in the world.

Professor Ismet Canbulat, Head of School, said: “This recognition reflects both our long-standing leadership in Mining Engineering and the evolution of Petroleum Engineering into a broader, future-focused Geoenergy and Geostorage discipline. It highlights our ability to respond to the changing demands of the energy sector while maintaining strong engineering foundations.”

Our Geoenergy and Geostorage Engineering program represents a step forward from traditional Petroleum Engineering, building on decades of subsurface expertise and extending it into areas that will define future energy systems, including carbon storage, hydrogen, geothermal systems and integrated energy solutions.

Our Mining Engineering discipline is central to this standing. With more than 70 years of leadership, deep partnerships with major global operators and technology providers, and a strong focus on safety, automation, digitalisation and sustainability, the program continues to shape modern mining practice. It is equally focused on developing the next generation of engineers, combining rigorous technical training with real-world industry experience and clear pathways into global operations.

This outcome reflects the sustained efforts of our staff, students and alumni, and the strength of our engagement with industry over many years.

From long-standing foundations in Mining to future-facing Geoenergy and Geostorage, this progression is reflected across our disciplines and our campus.

# UNSW Minerals and Energy Resources Engineering