Bradshaw Research Institute for Minerals and Mining

Thursday, November 28^th

Future of Mining challenge is a first for the Canadian mining industry.

The Norman B. Keevil Institute of Mining Engineering (NBK Mining) and the Bradshaw Research Initiative for Minerals and Mining (BRIMM) at the University of British Columbia (UBC) collaborated with Ernst & Young LLP (EY Canada) on the Future of Mining challenge.  Students from the faculties of applied science, science, business and arts were presented with the opportunity to create a vision of what the mining industry would look like in 2040. This includes harnessing technological and societal disruptions for a better quality of life in local communities, attracting the right talent to implement emerging technologies, and creating a circular economy.  There were more than one hundred applicants interested in taking part in the challenge.

After four weeks of intense work under the guidance of mining industry mentors from Anglo American Corp, BGC Engineering Inc., Pan American Silver Corp, SSR Mining Inc., and Teck Resources Ltd, three teams were selected to present their 2040 visions of mining in a ‘Dragon’s Den’ style panel on Thursday, November 28^th. At this event, the team with the best vision for the future is to be announced as the winner during an industry breakfast well-attended by over one-hundred and thirty participants.

“I am very proud of what the UBC students have achieved in this project. They bring fresh insights from different fields of study and can imagine the future in a way that more experienced mining executives find difficult, says BRIMM Ambassador and EY Distinguished Scholar in Global Mining Futures, Professor John Steen. “This is a fantastic example of what can be achieved when the industry and university sectors work together to take on big issues facing society and the economy.”

Download the press release pdf here

Media Contact:

BRIMM

Email Jeanne Liu – info@brimm.ubc.ca