24/06/2026
We’ve just rewarded some resource-full students
The future of South Australia’s resources industry is in good hands if the young talent in the room at the National Wine Centre on Monday night is any guide.
The 20 new recipients of Playford Trust scholarships are undertaking diverse and often complex work at a high level, despite still completing their university degrees.
Here are just three of the Honours projects that are testing their knowledge, skills and initiative:
• Investigating the geological evolution of the southern Flinders Ranges and the Adelaide Superbasin
• Predicting radon emanation in deep caving operations to enhance safety and operational decision-making
• Investigating evaporite systems, salt-rich sedimentary deposits, to better understand how their structure influences groundwater flow and salinity.
The recipients also showcase the diversity of skills the modern industry needs. They are studying everything from chemical engineering and mineral geoscience to geology, ecology and earth resources.
With industry support, they’ve worked above ground and underground from Olympic Dam to Brukunga and Kanmantoo – and even ventured overseas to gain an international perspective.
A number took part in a recent study tour to Oman, and one has since returned to the remote Hajar Mountains in the country’s north to undertake his Honours research. Another is investigating rare high-pressure rocks from the Glenelg Inlier in the Scottish Highlands.
And they still find time to get involved with everything from the Engineers Without Borders Challenge to a Global Resources Innovation Expo.
They are an impressive group, and we hope our scholarships will help them take the next step. You can see the full list of recipients and partners here.
Ten of these scholarships support Honours or undergraduate students studying in fields relevant to the resource industry. The other 10 were provided under the SA Government / Playford Trust Resources Engineering Scholarship Program.
It was all made possible by the support of our industry partners: Alligator Energy, AusIMM - Adelaide Branch, BHP South Australia, CEEC International, GSA, Hillgrove Resources, Iluka Resources, Peak Iron Mines, Santos Ltd, and the Department for Energy and Mining, South Australia.
The event was hosted by Adelaide University and attended by the recently appointed Assistant Minister for Copper, Steel, Critical Metals and Minerals, Mr Lawrence Ben MP (who co-presented four awards) and the Shadow Minister for Mining, The Hon Ben Hood MLC.
