The University of Queensland (UQ) said its vision for a sustainable future would be the focus of an international discussion as Brisbane hosts the 2023 World Mining Congress this week.
Thousands of delegates will gather to tackle the challenges confronting the resources industry and to exchange the most recent research, technology, and best practices.
Researchers from UQ’s Sustainable Minerals Institute, Faculty of Engineering, Architecture, and Information Technology, and Faculty of Science will provide 40 presentations over four days, heavily emphasising mining’s role in decarbonisation.
According to UQ Vice-Chancellor Professor Deborah Terry, the World Mining Congress is convening in Australia for the first time when the global mining sector is undergoing significant change.
“Few other places in the world face the scale of challenges and opportunities as Queensland – we have the critical resources such as nickel, cobalt, copper and aluminium needed to transition to net zero carbon emissions by 2050,” Professor Terry said.
Professor Terry stated that UQ is one of the world’s top five mining and minerals engineering institutes and has been helping the industry with research for over a century.
“We estimate that to reach the net zero commitment, Australia’s workforce in the energy sector will expand from 100,000 to around 800,000 people by 2060 and it is the role of universities to help meet this,” she added.
She said that the university hopes that through UQ’s Queensland Commitment, more regional graduates will return home and contribute their expertise and incomes to their communities.
“We are already reskilling and upskilling the existing mining workforce and would like to help mining and metallurgical companies with the capabilities they’ll need to supply the renewable energy sector,” she stated.
The UQ presentations during the World Mining Congress will address subjects such as environmental management, social responsibility and international governance, mining technology, geoscience, and minerals processing.
Sustainable Minerals Institute Director Professor Rick Valenta stated that the resources industry is critical to global efforts to achieve net zero emissions by 2050.
“The world’s transition to a low carbon future means the resources sector will be called upon to provide more minerals and metals than ever before, but in a way that is environmentally and socially responsible and sustainable,” Professor Valenta said.
According to Professor Valenta, UQ researchers are creating innovative and sustainable mining and processing methods, investigating alternative mineral supply sources, and supporting practices that guarantee communities and the environment are essential to discussions about the future.
“This is happening through our strong network of industry, government and community partners working with us to translate research into impact across the world,” Professor Valenta added.
