Mark Rumler
Recipient of the 2006 Rio Tinto NTRB scholarship while practising as a solicitor at the Northern Land Council. Mark has since returned to work at the NLC.

"The experience at the CEPMLP was an excellent one. The high points were getting to know a group of people from all over the world – South America, Africa, Asia. Teaching staff were equally diverse. The course material was good with some high powered lecturers. The CEPMLP also held regular seminars regarding in particular energy matters which were an opportunity to gain insight into the fascinating world of energy geo-politics.

The course provided a multifaceted view of minerals law and policy: the economic and financial structure of the industry, mineral rights and concessionary systems, protective laws and international human rights, trade and investment treaties. The course facilitated an appreciation of structures and broad dynamics, essentially the tri-partite structure of capital, government/jurisdiction, and the local (including importantly indigenous people). It helped me appreciate the universal issues in mineral law and policy. It gave me some bigger context useful to test the strengths and weakness of the Australian approach to indigenous rights in mineral resources development.

The scholarship also provided an opportunity to explore internship options. I was able to get an internship with Rio Tinto in Peru. This was an excellent and exciting experience and enabled an appreciation of the development and functionality of corporate standards and their application in a complex legal and political environment. It provided me with a valuable contrast to the Australian situation. I recommend the course as challenging, fun and insightful."

James Nugent
Recipient of the 2005 Rio Tinto NTRB scholarship while practising as a senior solicitor at the
Central Land Council

"It's been an interesting and busy year so far in Dundee - from the minimal daylight hours and the snow of winter to the late night sunsets (and holidays!) of summer. The LLM. program for Mineral Law Policy has been challenging and information packed right from the outset. The well qualified staff lecturers (who maintain an extensive international consultancy) and the range of industry practitioners from around the world who travel to Dundee in the second semester to lecture here provide an excellent insight into the energy and minerals, international business and dispute resolution fields.

This year the University of Dundee was named top in the United Kingdom for teaching quality in the university league tables published in The Times Higher Education Supplement, and The Sunday Times Good University Guide named the University of Dundee Scottish University of the Year 2004. According to its own publicity the Centre for Energy, Petroleum and Mineral Law and Policy (CEPMLP) is the leading international institution for post-graduate teaching and research in its areas of expertise, and attracts some 150 post-graduate students each year from across the world to its Masters and Doctoral Programmes. I can attest to the diverse backgrounds of the participants with any typical class being composed of lawyers, engineers, geologists, economists and finance professionals from Nigeria, Chile, Peru, China, Zimbabwe, Indonesia, Ghana, India, Mexico, the US, the Middle East, Russia and pretty well everywhere that oil, gas or minerals are found.

Dundee is a friendly and (thankfully) less crowded city than many in the UK and with Edinburgh (and the festival) and Glasgow only an hour or so away by rail or road, and the highlands to the west, there are plenty of diversions available to take your mind off study. Although the first six months have been hectic and the transition from working in an NTRB back to student life is a challenge it is a very special opportunity to be able to undertake a Masters in this environment. It's a little different from Alice Springs but my family have enjoyed the Scottish life (despite the occasional language difficulty) and the access to the rest of the UK and Europe. We can only hope that Australia wins the Ashes, otherwise life here in the UK may become a little less pleasant!"



Rhonda Jacobsen
Recipient of the 2005 Rio Tinto NTRB scholarship while practising as a solicitor at
NSW Native Title Services

As a Kamilaroi (NSW) woman I had no particular interest in visiting the United Kingdom, much less living there. And whilst I did harbour a desire to undertake post graduate studies, the idea of studying mining law never entered my mind, despite having advocated for native title holders in negotiations with mining companies. In these circumstances I saw the advertisement for the Rio Tinto (NTRB) Scholarship to undertake the LLM Mineral Law and Policy at the University of Dundee in Scotland - and was immediately enthralled with the prospects it offered to expand both my professional and personal development.

The Centre of Energy, Petroleum & Mineral Law and Policy (CEPMLP) promotes itself as 'one of the most successful academic institutions in the UK and the EU... distinctly international and sees itself (and is seen) as a principal institution of education in, and for the global energy and resources economy' and the guest lecturers in particular attest to the expertise utilised in the programme. Although the Centre's activities are heavily directed to petroleum, the mining programme, although relatively small, is able to be responsive to student's needs, respectful of the skills and experience we bring to the programme and is tailored to exposing students to opportunities as they arise (e.g. a visit to a local coal mine, attendance at the 2005 Annual Mining Seminar held in London and visits to industry bodies).

I can't envisage ever being in a position to learn as much about mining law and policy as this programme affords. Moreover, the knowledge gained will be invaluable in my continued advocacy of native title rights and interests when dealing with mining companies. But just as important as the formal learning is the experience of meeting and exchanging with the other members of the CEPMLP - bringing an interdisciplinary and international perspective to the experience. The students and lecturers come from all corners of the earth, from America to Zimbabwe and include geologists, engineers, business administrators and all other professions that work in the mining industry.

Of course it has not all been easy fishing: the studies are challenging; missing home is hard; the weather ranges between wet and cold to cold; and the language/accents create interesting situations. But the Scottish people are warm with a strong culture and traditions; the learning is invaluable; some of the friendships will be lasting and certainly the sense of collegiality will remain forever. It is an experience I would recommend to others interested in mining law and policy and wishing to further their professional development in this regard, and who are open to personal challenges that arise whilst living in Scotland."