In June 2005, Dr Daniel Helm wrote:

"After almost a year as a graduate metallurgist at the Black Swan nickel plant, I am now employed as a process engineer in the refinery of Minara Resources’ Murrin Murrin nickel-cobalt plant [located north of Kalgoorlie (between Leonora and Laverton) in Western Australia].

I am currently responsible for engineering and process optimisations in the solvent extraction and cobalt hydrogen reduction areas of the plant on a fly-in/fly-out roster. I am fortunate to be working in the same hydrometallurgical field that I worked with during my PhD studies – solvent extraction within a lateritic nickel processing route. I hope to move around within the technical production department to develop skills in several other facets of the operation.

Now that I have completed my PhD studies at Curtin University’s WA School of Mines in Kalgoorlie, I am in the process of moving to Perth together with my fiancé Boe. We plan to remain in Western Australia for the next few years before doing a little exploring around the globe."