Minerals, metals and sustainability: perceptions and practices
The links between the Australia's minerals resources, sustainability and our country's long term prosperity are complex. This complexity relates not only to industry's social license to operate, environmental footprint and position in a carbon constrained society, but also to national issues of accessibility to resources across generations, and where we seek to position our economy within sustainable production and consumption cycles in the longer term.
- As higher grade ores become exploited - what is our strategy for where to focus next?
What will be the role of new technology to access new ores; of ocean-based resources as new sources of supply; of increased recycling and re-processing; and, of dematerializing the economy to make the resources we have go further? - What business models could underpin prosperity for Australia as "service provider" of metals in a dematerialized economy? What are the perceptions of government, industry, shareholders and the wider community regarding minerals and sustainability?
- How do differing perceptions affect the aspirations for change and the strategies and policies which are pursued?
This project would link with the work of ISF as part of a Mineral Futures Cluster of research with CSIRO and other universities. Top up scholarships may be available through CSIRO.
For further information about this topic contact: Dr Damien Giurco
