More than $200,000 in post-graduate student scholarships is up for grabs to build on Queensland’s reputation as an international leader in coal mine rehabilitation.

Two scholarships valued at $40,000 a year over three years are now available through the Coal Minesite Rehabilitation Trust to post-graduate students studying at a Queensland university.

The Coal Minesite Rehabilitation Trust was established in 2007 and is overseen by the Queensland Resources Council (QRC), Queensland Government and industry representatives.

Resources Minister Scott Stewart said the generous scholarships provide two university students with an opportunity to pursue postgraduate studies in world-class environmental management.

“Mine rehabilitation is a key part of a company’s life of mine planning cycle to ensure better environmental outcomes and help create more jobs for Queenslanders after a mine is no longer in use,” Minister Stewart said.

“Good progress has been made in rehabilitation in Queensland and these scholarships contribute to research that will lead to even better practices.

“I support the industry’s continuing efforts to improve rehabilitation methods to ensure mining is compatible with current and future land uses.

“The scholarships will support ongoing research to identify future improvements and ensure we can have confidence in the industry’s ability to manage and reduce its impacts.”

QRC Chief Executive Ian Macfarlane said the scholarships are a practical and innovative way to develop world-class expertise in Queensland to lead the resources sector’s future rehabilitation practices.

“This scholarship program benefits the whole resources sector by encouraging more research and fresh thinking into how we can continually improve and refine land rehabilitation practices,” he said.

“We are now seeing current and former coal mines working to transform to a range of productive and innovative post mining land uses including agriculture, renewable energy infrastructure, native ecosystems and community development.

“The research conducted by postgraduate students over the years is making a significant contribution to understanding and implementing sustainable rehabilitation outcomes.”