The University of British Columbia is bringing its expertise in critical minerals to the Rio Tinto Centre for Future Materials, a US $150-million research endeavour to change how we produce, use and recycle vital minerals. Experts will work in diverse, interdisciplinary teams together with researchers from Imperial College London, the University of California, Berkeley, the Australian National University, and the University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, to make critical mineral production and usage more environmentally, economically and socially sustainable.
“UBC has proven time and time again our ability to partner with industry and transform innovative ideas into commercially viable solutions that work on the ground,” said Dr. John Steen, Director of the Bradshaw Research Institute for Minerals and Mining (BRIMM) and an Associate Professor in the Norman B. Keevil School of Mining. “Critical minerals are the foundation for the clean energy transition and technology we require for a sustainable future. We are proud to continue UBC’s longstanding relationship with Rio Tinto, and to represent Canada’s expertise in this global effort to address our critical minerals needs, in a way that will protect future generations.”
The initiative will bring together researchers from leading universities to build collaborations that converge disciplines, from fundamental science and engineering, systems thinking, human health, new business models, and policymaking to deliver innovative, and transformative solutions with environment, society, and governance at their core. The Centre builds on Rio Tinto’s long-standing support of research and development, accelerating its innovation portfolio and providing insight on emerging and disruptive technologies. Rio Tinto Chief Executive Jakob Stausholm said “For the world to reach net zero, we must find better ways to provide the materials it needs. No single player can do this alone, and research and development plays a vital role.”
The Copper Challenge
The clean energy transition depends on developing renewable energy sources for electricity—and electricity depends on copper. In fact, to meet our energy demands, the world needs more copper in the next 10 years than has been mined in the last century. Copper is also notoriously difficult to mine with conventional blasting and drilling methods. With the average copper grade—amount of metal present in each ton of ore—at less than one per cent, conventional copper mining produces a huge amount of waste.
The first three projects funded by the Rio Tinto Centre, led by UBC researchers in the Faculties of Applied Science and Science, are tackling how to more sustainably mine for copper and reduce waste.
“UBC and BRIMM’s involvement in the Rio Tinto Center for Future Materials is a transformational opportunity. Our goal at BRIMM is to foster meaningful academic and industry collaborations to drive mining innovation. The need to increase mineral production to meet global demand while at the same time minimizing environmental impact will require creative approaches to find solutions. The RT Centre for Future Materials will bring together top researchers and thought leaders from around the world to reimagine the future of mining and meet these critical challenges.” – Dr. John Steen, BRIMM Director
Projects:
