AusIMM Metallurgical Society: Nominations open for the 2025 Alban Lynch Undergraduate Student Award

The AusIMM Metallurgical Society (MetSoc) exists to meet the professional needs of members whose field of interest and profession is metallurgy – predominantly minerals processing, hydrometallurgy and pyrometallurgy. MetSoc aims to promote ongoing professional development to members and engage with key stakeholders within the community through student networks, training opportunities, networking events and providing technical content relevant to the membership.

This award is named in honour of Professor Alban Lynch, founding Director of the JKMRC until 1989, then Head of Department (Mining and Metallurgical Engineering) at UQ until 1993. Alban Lynch was a visionary leader who established a research centre which became renowned throughout the world for developing technologies which transformed mineral processing, linked research closely with industry, and provided valuable education and career opportunities to aspiring students.

Commencing in 2022, MetSoc established an annual student award to enable attendance at an Australian Mineral Processing / Metallurgical conference. This award includes a conference ticket and an allowance of up to $3000 to cover the cost of travel and accommodation to and from the conference venue from the student’s home location.

Applications are now open for the 2025 Alban Lynch Undergraduate Student Award.

To be eligible to apply, the student must:

• Be in their 3^rd or 4^th year of study with a minerals or metallurgy major (or with a key part of their degree containing such a component) at an Australian University
• Provide proof of enrolment and academic record, and;
• Be an active student member of the AusIMM or a plan to apply before the Critical Minerals conference in September 2025.

A strong academic record will be viewed favourably.

Applications must also include a short reflection (500 words or less) on some aspect of the mining industry and how that affects them. Some potential topics might be:

• the biggest challenge they expect to face in their careers and some ideas on how that might be overcome
• the image of the mining industry and how that can be improved, or
• why they were drawn to join the industry and what path they would like to follow in their careers.

Submissions for this prize will be adjudicated by a panel of MetSoc committee members.

Applications for the 2025 prize must be received by 2 May 2025 and should be sent as a PDF document to metsoc@ausimm.com.au. Late applications will not be accepted.

Please ensure submissions include contact details (email, phone number) as well as AusIMM membership number (or commitment to join).

The winner of the prize will be attending the Critical Minerals Conference in Perth on 2-4 September, 2025.

Suzanne Lynch-Watson
Committee Member (2023-) | Metallurgical Society