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CSIRO has welcomed Jonathan Law to the role of director of the Minerals Down Under National Research Flagship. He brings with him a strong network of government, industry and research contacts, which he has gained through working across the value chain in the resource industry in an operational and research capacity.

 

"I am passionate about the impact of R&D on the minerals industry and I have seen the issues from both sides," Mr Law said.

 

"Bringing these two worlds together is a constant challenge and the directorship will provide the opportunity to work with an outstanding team of people to meet this challenge, for the benefit and long term future of the minerals industry in Australia."

Mr Law has worked for CSIRO for almost 10 years and has held a number of leadership roles. Prior to joining CSIRO in 2002, Mr Law worked with Gencor, now BHP Billiton, in its Geological Research Unit on various aspects of ore genesis and target generation. He then worked with Gold Fields Limited on their global exploration and evaluation team and with several Australian junior exploration companies.

 

Mr Law said CSIRO’s minerals research has a strong track record and is well positioned to focus on delivery over the coming years.

 

"I hope to build on this foundation with a number of high-level priorities. These include working extensively across the value chain in the minerals industry, growing our strategic alignment with the industry and developing our international research and business links to leverage our research efforts and meet the demands of a global industry,” Mr Law said.

 

Mr Law holds a Bachelor and Masters of Science in Geology from the University of Witwatersrand in South Africa. As a member of the Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy and a Fellow of the Society of Economic Geologists, he brings experience and a wealth of knowledge to the role.

 

"I will be working with CSIRO and industry colleagues to identify key longer-term strategic research opportunities which are at the heart of CSIRO’s vision.

 

"To achieve impact we must work with industry, government and our partners in the service industries to deploy new technologies in the commercial world. We cannot succeed unless we get this right," Mr Law said.

 

In announcing the appointment, Dr Calum Drummond, CSIRO Manufacturing Materials and Minerals group executive said it was particularly pleasing to see one of our ‘home grown’ leaders being compared with a global field of candidates through a comprehensive, multi-stage competitive process.