The Western Australian Government has announced Mark Woffenden as the new Chief of the Western Australian Minerals Research Institute (WAMRI).

A 35-year resources industry veteran, Mr Woffenden’s appointment to the new role of CEO was announced by State Mines and Petroleum Minister Norman Moore, who described Mr Woffenden as the ‘ideal candidate’.

“I am confident the institute will flourish under his stewardship, promoting the long-term international competitiveness of WA’s minerals industry,” Mr Moore said.

WAMRI will develop new mineral discovery, extraction and recovery technologies, helping previously uneconomic deposits become attractive to industry.

Mr Woffenden’s appointment was endorsed by the institute’s board of directors, which includes BHP Billiton senior research and development manager, Peter Lilly; Australian Petroleum Production and Exploration Association chief operating officer for Western Region, Stedman Ellis; Rio Tinto Innovation general manager Andrew Shook; Resource Capital Funds managing partner James McClements and Phil Lockyer, director of Phil Lockyer and Associates.