Edith Cowan University
Understanding water, land and life around Australia’s mines
MiWER studies the rivers, wetlands, pit lakes and microbial communities shaped by mining — and works alongside industry and government to restore and manage them.
Research programs
Four landscapes, one water cycle
01
Pit Lake Research
When open-cut mining ends, a void remains. We study how these voids fill and evolve into pit lakes, and how to treat and manage the water within them.
02
River Ecology
MiWER staff work on seasonal, intermittent and permanent rivers across Australia, examining the impacts of mining and land use on flow, water quality and ecology.
03
Wetland Ecology
The Swan Coastal Plain runs from north of Perth to Bunbury. We track how urban and mining pressures affect its wetlands and the species that depend on them.
04
Microbial Communities
Using 16S DNA next-generation sequencing, we explore the microbial communities that drive water chemistry in mine-affected environments.
Opportunities with the MiWER Centre
Volunteering, internships, postgraduate study, undergraduate projects and work experience — we welcome students and collaborators at every stage.
Publications
Reading the record
The centre
About MiWER
Researchers at MiWER
A dedicated team of researchers, staff and students supports our research programs, led by principal investigators across ecology, hydrology and microbiology.
Facilities
MiWER is based at Edith Cowan University in modern facilities, including dedicated research labs for water and sediment analysis.
About
The MiWER Centre is one of the few international research organisations dedicated to understanding the water, land and ecosystems shaped by mining — bridging science, restoration and policy.
Contact us
Questions about a research program, a study opportunity or a partnership? Send us a message and a member of the MiWER team will get back to you.
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