The last decade has seen a dramatic change in the. size and complexity of mining and mineral processing projects in Austral- asia. Major projects of today are vastly different from major projects of the 19.50's._x000D_
This change has in turn resulted in a change in the role-of consultants whose contributions have been increasingly in the provision of specialist services and less in the form of overall project design and construction supervision. It is anticipated that, the specialist function will continue to represent the principle mode for consultant participation in major, projects. However, by means' of international affiliation, the development of comprehensive engineering and project management capabilities and possibly as a result of Government intervention, it is expected ,that local consultants will assume an increasing degree of participation in.the overall project design and supervision Function.