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The Western Australian School of Mines

Consolidating engineering, economics and science capabilities to form the Western Australian School of Mines (WASM), the School attracts strong industry partnerships and investment in high-tech facilities, operating from campuses in Perth and the historic mining town of Kalgoorlie located in the Goldfields region of Western Australia.

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Our discipline areas

Chemical Engineering

research student working in the lab

Energy Engineering

Energy Engineering

Mining

Mining

Metallurgy

Metallurgy
Our undergraduate courses

Our undergraduate courses

Our postgraduate courses

Our postgraduate courses

Curtin Kalgoorlie courses

Curtin Kalgoorlie courses

 Explore all WASM courses

Mineral and Mining Engineering

Curtin ranks #5 in the world for Mineral and Mining Engineering QS World University Rankings by Subject, 2025).

Chemical Engineering

#3 in Australia for Chemical Engineering (ShanghaiRanking’s Global Ranking of Academic Subjects, 2024).
Our facilities

Our facilities

WASM have a wide range of facilities available for students, staff and researchers.

Find out more.

Our people

Our people

Find contact information for WASM staff.

Find out more.

Our research

Our research

For more than a century, Curtin University and WASM have been at the forefront of research in the mining and resources sector.

Find out more.

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Our network

WASM students stay connected after graduation through the WASM Alumni. Socialise, network and stay in touch.

Visit WASM Alumni.

Chemical Engineering

Chemical Engineering involves finding the best sequence of chemical and physical processing operations, and the right operating conditions, to convert raw materials into higher-value products.

Chemical Engineering covers the development, design and management of processes and equipment for the extraction, conversion and upgrading of materials, using physical, chemical and biological operations.

Our undergraduate courses

Our postgraduate courses

Metallurgy

Metallurgical engineers mostly work in converting raw metals and minerals into more useable formats, such as converting iron ore and coal into steel. They extract, refine and recycle metals and minerals that are used in many areas of everyday life, including energy production, food production, housing and transportation. In this major you will learn to design, develop, optimise and manage the operation of metallurgical processing plants that transform low-value raw materials into useful, high-value mineral and metal products – and in an economical and environmentally responsible way. You’ll gain a thorough grounding in chemical and physical engineering, economic, environmental and sustainable principles, and the extraction of metals from ores. This course also includes a strong management component.

Curtin ranks #5 in the world for Mineral and Mining Engineering QS World University Rankings by Subject, 2025).

Our undergraduate courses

Our postgraduate courses

Mining

Mining is where the latest technology is used to extract minerals from the earth safely and efficiently. It’s a profession defined by rapid scientific advancement, and, as a Curtin student, you’ll be at the cutting edge. In this major you will learn about emerging mining technology such as robotics, data analytics and additive manufacturing. You’ll delve into mining economics, gain understanding and consideration of working with Indigenous cultures, and discover how to make a positive contribution to sustainable development.

Curtin ranks #5 in the world for Mineral and Mining Engineering QS World University Rankings by Subject, 2025).

Our undergraduate courses

 

Our postgraduate courses

Energy Engineering

Energy engineering is a rapidly emerging field that deals with energy efficiency, renewable energy, and sustainable energy technologies. Energy engineers work to develop, implement, and manage energy systems that are efficient, reliable, and environmentally friendly. They play a critical role in the global effort to transition to a clean energy future.

The new Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) Energy Engineering leverages on technological solutions beyond classical subsurface resources to address climate impact and population growth. The new major embraces the digital revolution and offers students the opportunity to focus on a specific area of interest through extension specialisation in years three and four. These offer industry-embedded learning and research here in Perth, Western Australia’s premier location for mining, information technology and telecommunications, renewable energy and clean energy technologies, and life sciences.

Our undergraduate courses

Our postgraduate courses