University-Based Cooperative Research For The Mining Industry

The various facets of university-company cooperative activities and the opportunities for collaborative research for the mineral industries are presented in this paper. The advantages and disadvantages of various alternative research funding arrangements for the researcher, the university, and the sponsoring corporation are discussed. Examples of university-industry cooperative research programs are briefly outlined. The concept of a cooperative mining research program is presented. The improvement of performance through techno- logical developments and human skills may well be the greatest competitive edge available to the U.S. mining industry. In this regard, the need for new endeavors between industry and universities can hardly be overemphasized.