Perth Central TAFE Opens a Simulated Underground Mine

Last week, Training Minister Peter Collier opened Central TAFE’s simulated underground mine, a former service tunnel located under the College’s Aberdeen Street campus.

Known as the CUT Mine, the tunnel has been converted by a set design company that lined the cement walls with material that simulates rock faces containing copper, gold and nickel. The Mine provides students studying the Certificate III in Mining Exploration with a realistic experience of working in an underground mining environment. The tunnel will be used to teach face mapping techniques and basic mine safety. More critically, it provides students with a real taste of working long hours in a dark, reasonably confined space.

The six month course prepares graduates for employment as exploration field assistants, pit technicians and underground geo-technicians.

Mr Collier also announced that Central TAFE will be re-named the ‘Central Institute of Technology’ as part of the government’s increased focus on providing expanded training and education options.

In August, the state government announced that a Department of Training and Workforce Development would be launched – this is due to happen next week.