The Australian government is planning to launch an initiative to help developing countries use their natural resources in an economically sustainable manner. Australia will spend about AUD 31 million on the initiative largely through skills training and education for workers in the sector from countries in Africa, Asia-Pacific and Latin America. Prime minister Julia Gillard, who unveiled the initiative at the Commonwealth Business Forum in Perth in Western Australia, said the centrepiece of the initiative is the International Mining for Development Centre, which will be based in the University of Western Australia’s Energy and Mineral Institute and will operate in partnership with the University of Queensland’s Sustainable Minerals Institute. The CBF is a prelude to the Commonwealth heads of government meeting that starts here in Perth on October 28th 2011. Read More