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

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

The Coal Minesite Rehabilitation Trust was established in 2007 by the Queensland Resources Council (QRC), Queensland Government and industry representatives and gives two university students an opportunity to pursue postgraduate studies in world leading environmental management.

QRC Chief Executive Officer Janette Hewson said the scholarships are a practical way to continue Queensland’s leading expertise in mined land rehabilitation.

“Queensland has an international reputation as a leader in mined land rehabilitation and innovative environmental practices across all of stages of mine development from design to closure.

“These scholarships will build on the progress already made by industry by contributing to research that will lead to better environmental and community outcomes.

“The industry is continually evolving when it comes to environmental management and rehabilitation methods that will ensure mining is compatible with current and future land uses.

“Each year new students bring innovative research ideas that provide confidence in the industry’s ability to find new ways for reducing its impact.”

Janette said the scholarship program benefits the whole resources sector and the broader community by making a significant contribution to understanding and implementing sustainable rehabilitation outcomes.

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

QRC Policy Director of Environment, Dr Leigh Stitz, was a Coal Minesite Rehabilitation Scholarship recipient in 2014.

“The scholarship changed my life by allowing me to undertake study in this important field and at the same time be a mother to my children.

“I used the scholarship to research macro invertebrates, or water bugs, in ephemeral streams in Tropical Queensland which are good indicators of waterway health.

“This helped provide a better understanding of the cumulative impacts of mining on waterways to improve rehabilitation practices.”

Applications for the 2024 Coal Minesite Rehabilitation Scholarships are assessed against key priorities that include sustainable post-mining land uses and addressing long-term water management.

Applicants are encouraged to align their research proposals with one or more key areas such as sustainable post-mining land uses including native ecosystem rehabilitation, rehabilitation of agricultural land, landform design including final voids, water management impacts, mine closure and transition. Other relevant areas of environmental management for coal mining such as carbon sequestration from rehabilitated land and cumulative impacts may also be considered.

For more information on the 2025 Coal Minesite Rehabilitation Scholarship positions go to https://www.qrc.org.au/applynow/