Sustainability is the new cry from Camborne

The University of Exeter has appointed professor Frances Wall as the head of Camborne School of Mines (CSM) and she wants to shout about quarrying and mining’s sustainability successes.

Geologist and expert in carbonatite rocks, professor Wall told MQR: “I want to raise the profile of sustainability and the work we are doing at CSM to address it.

“Mining isn’t fashionable in the UK and people think of it as dirty and not sustainable. We need to shout about our successes more and that is what I will be doing,” she said.

Professor Wall joined CSM in September last year from London’s Natural History Museum as an associate professor. She is the first woman to head up the department in its 120year history.

She feels this is because there have previously been few women who can fill the position. Currently, female mining and renewable energy students number 15% at CSM – rising to 25% for geology.

Professor Wall replaces professor Bob Pine, who is retiring after six years. However, he will continue some of his teaching and research at CSM.