Kolkata, May 5 (IANS): The Indian School of Mines, Dhanbad will ink a MoU with an Australian varsity for student exchange programmes targeted at cutting-edge technologies in open-cast mining, an Australian official said on Tuesday.

"As part of an exchange programme for undergraduate, graduate, faculty members and research fellows, ISM, Dhanbad, will soon sign a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Newcastle University in Australia," said Stuart Rees, trade commissioner (acting), Australian Trade Commission and mentor, Mining and Energy Team, South Asia.

Rees was speaking on the sidelines of an interactive session organised by CII Eastern Region here.

He said the agreement will focus on cutting-edge technologies in open-cast mining.

During Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi's meeting with his Australian counterpart, Tony Abott, in Brisbane in November last year, the two countries had stressed on the collective desire for cooperation in the resources sector which would be of significant advantage for both.

"Moving on to market insights and opportunities for Australian METS (mining, equipment technologies and services) companies operating in India, we are well aware of the ongoing coal mine auctions, and we have learnt about significant similar auctions for iron, bauxite and manganese mines, which would be carried out by state governments under central government guidelines," Rees said.

"These auctions would provide significant opportunities for Australian METS companies which are positioned for the Indian market. Austrade would continue to organise profile-raising events both in India and Australia," he added.