Murdoch students will gain first-hand experience of the iron ore supply chain during a study tour to China later this month.The first study tour of its kind, the tour will examine all aspects of the iron ore industry, from its extraction in the Pilbara right through to product manufacture in China.
Steve Klomp, who is a lecturer from the Murdoch Business School, said the tour had been designed to give Murdoch students an edge in the employment market.
“Although only around 9 per cent of Australians are employed in the mining industry, nearly half of all workers are employed indirectly by the sector,” said Mr Klomp.
“The iron ore industry plays a central role in the sector, particularly in Western Australia.”
Studies begin with a talk by a senior official of Japanese company Mitsui, to gain an insight into Australia’s second largest export market, and lectures on supply chain theory and economics.
The students will learn about the actual operations of major companies in the industry, via a tour of Rio Tinto’s command centre at Perth’s International Airport and travel to Karratha to see the extraction process, rail and port operations.
Whilst there, students will also learn about the development of infrastructure in the Pilbara and meet with Aboriginal Elders and government and industry leaders to learn about the impact on WA’s economy and society.
The tour follows the path of iron ore exports to China, visiting ports, steel mills and ore processing, a rail shipment centre and a car manufacturing plant.
The eighteen day tour also includes studying government controls and influence on the industry.
“Gaining an understanding of Australia’s major trading partners and an insight to the far reaching influence of Australia’s iron ore industry is essential information for many industries in Australia, and important for both present and future Australian workers, particularly those in the management stream,” Mr Klomp said.
The tour begins on November 29.