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About KMPA

Korean Mining Professionals Australia is a not-for-profit professional association, incorporated in Western Australia in October 2026 and based in Perth. We bring together Korean-heritage professionals working across the resources industry and connect them with the Australian and Korean industries they serve.

Who we are What we do Our story Our emblem Governance Our principles

Who we are

Our members work in mining, mineral processing, oil and gas, and the mining equipment, technology and services (METS) sector, in Western Australia and across the country.

They are mining and process engineers, geologists and surveyors, equipment operators and drillers, fitters and electricians, supervisors and superintendents, HSE and training professionals, project controllers, commercial and finance specialists, data and automation engineers, researchers, and students and apprentices starting out. Many have worked in both Australia and Korea; many more have family, language and professional ties to both.

"Mining" is at the heart of the name, but the association covers the whole resources industry, including LNG and energy, where Korean engineering, shipbuilding and energy companies have a long history on Australian projects.

Join KMPA Our communities

Underground operator in high-visibility clothing

What we do

Everything KMPA runs is meant to leave members with one of four things: a useful contact, a career opportunity, practical knowledge, or recognition for their work.

Professional networkRegular networking in Perth, a members-only directory, and six practice communities organised by discipline.

Careers and mentoringCareers nights, employer briefings, a mentoring program and a members-only referral service.

Professional developmentTechnical talks, field masterclasses, site visits and bilingual Knowledge Notes written by members.

Australia–Korea engagementRoundtables and introductions with Korean industry, investors, technology providers, universities and government.

Industry and innovationConnecting site problems with technology providers, startups, researchers and grant programs, with members' field experience as the filter.

RecognitionThe annual Resources Leaders Forum and KMPA Impact Honours recognise members' contributions to the industry and the community.

Our story

KMPA was founded in 2026 by a group of Perth-based professionals who wanted a lasting home for Korean-heritage people in the industry, rather than an informal gathering that depended on a few individuals.

Sep 2026

A Foundation Committee of six is formed and agrees the association's purpose, name and timetable.

Oct 2026

Korean Mining Professionals Australia Incorporated is registered in Western Australia on 23 October.

Dec 2026

Founding Members hold the inaugural General Meeting and elect the first Board.

2027

First full program year: technical sessions, careers events, the Boardroom series and the first Resources Leaders Forum.

The longer-term direction, including a national network and formal Australia–Korea partnerships by 2031, is set out in the KMPA Foundation Plan 2026–2031.

Our emblem

Design philosophy

The KMPA emblem expresses the identity, heritage and shared vision of Korean mining professionals in Australia.

The shield: The educational foundations, academic heritage and professional expertise our members bring to the industry.
Korean tiger and Australian black swan: Set above the shield, they stand for the friendship, cultural connection and collaboration between Korea and Australia.
Red and green kangaroo paw: The floral emblem of Western Australia, where KMPA was founded and where it contributes to the resources industry.
Pickaxe and drill bit: The heritage of mining, the technical expertise of the profession and its continuing innovation.
Underground mine portal: The working mine and the people who build the industry together, on site and underground.

Together these elements reflect KMPA's commitment to connecting people, sharing knowledge, advancing professional excellence and contributing to the wider community.

Our mottoScientia ad Communem BonumKnowledge for the common good

Governance

KMPA is governed by its members. The general meeting elects a Board of up to eight members, who serve two-year staggered terms and are accountable to members under the association's rules and the Associations Incorporation Act 2015 (WA). The Board enables six practice communities and three cross-cutting platforms; the Foundation Committee runs the association until the first Board is elected in December 2026.

All MembersFounding · Member · Early Career · Student · Affiliate

General Meeting / AGMElects the Board · adopts the rules · accountability

Advisory CouncilNon-voting · senior external advice

Board of KMPA8 roles · strategy · governance · risk

External PartnersGovernment · industry · university · Korea

Secretariat / Digital OperationsVolunteer initially · paid coordinator when scale requires

A · Mining & OperationsTechnical + production B · Plant, Drilling & MaintenanceOperators · drillers · fitters · reliability C · Oil, Gas & EnergyLNG · offshore/onshore · EPC · energy transition D · Technology, Data & METSInnovation · AI · OEM · startups E · Projects, Investment & Critical MineralsStudies · capital · market bridge F · Safety, Sustainability & PeopleHSE · workforce · approvals · ESG

Talent & Career PlatformMentoring · referrals · employer connection Education & Knowledge PlatformNotes · talks · bilingual assets Innovation BridgeProblem bank · validation · grants · pilots

Temporary Project Cells / State NodesOutput-based, 6–12 months · WA first, then QLD/NSW when demand exists

Elected governanceAdvisory / external (non-voting)Oil, Gas & Energy communityCross-cutting platformTemporary

Our principles

Inclusive

Every role in the industry is welcome, from apprentices to executives. Membership does not depend on a degree or a title.

Practical

We run things that produce results for members: a contact, an opportunity, a skill or recognition.

Independent

KMPA works with many companies and institutions and is not the voice of any one of them. Members disclose conflicts of interest.

Trusted

Member information is shared only with consent. The directory and referral service are opt-in, and member lists are never sold.