Neil Hunt’s Post

🔍 **Mining for Talent: Education's Crucial Role in America's Clean Energy, Mineral-Driven Future** In the push for a clean energy future, the importance of education in mining and mineral resources cannot be overstated. Our nation's ambitions hinge on having a skilled workforce ready to tackle the demands of an increasingly tech-driven and environmentally conscious mining sector. 🚀🇺🇸 Today, the mining sector faces a significant talent gap. With only 14 mining engineering programs in the U.S. and an urgent need to double copper production in the next 30 years, educational institutions like the University of Arizona and Colorado School of Mines are at the forefront of addressing this challenge. They're not just teaching traditional practices; they are integrating AI, autonomous machinery, and real-time data analytics into their curricula to modernise the sector. These innovations not only boost efficiency but also reshape public perceptions about mining, making the field more attractive to tech-savvy and eco-conscious students. The Government is also stepping up. The unanimous Senate passage of the bipartisan Mining Schools Act this year is a landmark development. This Act aims to boost mining education through grants, research incentives, and strategic public-private partnerships. These collaborations ensure educational programs stay aligned with workforce needs, preparing graduates to meet the industry's modern-day challenges head-on. A future rooted in clean energy depends on our ability to educate and inspire the next generation of mining professionals. 🌍🔋 Share your thoughts in the comments or visit netzeroevolution.com to learn more about how we're supporting this vital transition. #MiningEducation #CleanEnergy #NetZeroEvolution

McMaster University’s science and engineering departments are receiving $4.2 million for critical mineral research! Funded projects include: • Assessing the Circular Economy for Endangered Elements Needed in Lithium-Ion Batteries • Recovery of #zinc and #manganese dioxide from spent rechargeable zinc-ion batteries and reuse in freshly prepared electrodes • Development of High Strength, High Electrical Conductivity #Aluminum Alloys for the Replacement of #Copper in Electrical Applications • Sustainable Critical Mineral Recovery: Advancing CO2 Sequestration and Mineral Extraction • Optimizing subsurface mining technologies for sustainable #lithium production from brines Faculty of Engineering - McMaster University Gillian Goward Drew Higgins Nana Ofori-Opoku Benzhong (Robin) Zhao #metals #minerals #steel #metal #buildings #building Prospectors & Developers Association of Canada (PDAC) AME - Association for Mineral Exploration The Association for Manufacturing Excellence (AME) Mining Association of Canada Ontario Mining Association CIM | Canadian Institute of Mining, Metallurgy and Petroleum Canadian Manufacturers & Exporters Trillium Network for Advanced Manufacturing Ontario Advanced Manufacturing Consortium Professional Engineers Ontario Ontario Society of Professional Engineers

Recent research led by West Virginia University explores new sources of lithium, such as mine tailings and drill cuttings, in light of the increased demand for this critical mineral, essential for lithium-ion batteries used in electric vehicles and storing renewable energy. The findings reveal unexpectedly high concentrations of lithium in pyrite minerals within shale. This discovery could lead to sustainable mining practices that do not require new mines, emphasizing the potential for lithium-sulfur batteries and promoting environmentally friendly resource extraction. https://lnkd.in/gVrTeq5V

"(...) Because we know that for technology to be truly sustainable, their materials and value chains must be sustainable too. No product can be seperated from its history. From extraction to production and distribution, (...)" The small australian mining company Talga Group Ltd., which operates mainly in Europe (Sweden, Germany, Cambridge UK), processes natural graphite in order to develop innovative anode graphite and graphene products which can boost battery capacity by 40%. "Talga Group has announced it has opened its new Battery Center of Excellence in Cambridge, UK. The center is a significant expansion of Talga’s UK R&D facilities, first launched in 2016. Focusing on battery material innovations, development and characterization, the center is designed to complement Talga’s existing facilities in Sweden (Talnode®-C EV qualification production and battery quality control labs) and Germany (processing technology scale-up and graphene production). The center increases Talga’s capacity to develop its Talnode® battery materials, including next generation silicon and solid state anodes, and performance-boosting conductive additives for cathodes. This development work aims to diversify Talga’s product portfolio into emerging energy storage materials and future scope technologies. In addition, the center is home to Talga’s material recycling and repurposing R&D operations. (...)" https://lnkd.in/eWCgeSNn "(...) Talga’s Vittangi project will use 100% renewable electricity to extract graphite, a European Union-defined critical material, and refine it into coated anode for lithium-ion batteries. The first stage of the project will produce 19 500 t/y of anode for 24 years from the integrated mine-to-anode operation."

Shihong Lin, associate professor at Vanderbilt University Civil & Environmental Engineering and chemical and biomolecular engineering, recently shared his expertise in Chemistry World about a water-splitting reaction reversal that could extract lithium more sustainably and cheaply. The new electrodialysis technique that directly and continuously extracts lithium from brines could be around 40% cheaper and have a much smaller environmental footprint than the most common mining method. Currently, the metal is mainly mined by pumping natural lithium brines from underground aquifers into evaporation ponds, and this takes a great deal of energy and chemical processing, as well as vast areas of land: https://lnkd.in/ecyMqYMP

“AI has tremendous potential to advance environmental health and support the global transition to clean energy and a net-zero future. DIGITAL is proud to co-invest alongside innovators like Novamera Inc. and support partnerships that continue to showcase the expertise and accomplishments of Canadian industry in building globally relevant AI and advancing international commercial pathways for Canadian companies.” - Sue Paish, DIGITAL CEO. The Data Driven Surgical Mining initiative: Novamera’s data-driven, real-time ‘Surgical Mining’ suite of technologies will utilize artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) to allow mining companies to extract additional mineral deposits on existing and currently unmined projects, supporting increased production while reducing waste by up to 95%, greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by up to 44% and at a fraction of traditional costs. Their combination of hardware and software solutions generates real-time digital twin models of deposits; prescribes a course for surgical, low-impact extraction; and informs how and where to drill with real-time adjustments while using conventional drilling equipment. In collaboration with Great Atlantic Resources, Maritime Resources Corp., and the Memorial University, Newfoundland and Labrador, this project will demonstrate the application of Novamera’s technology with facility testing and on-site in Newfoundland towards the following objectives: - Illustrate Novamera’s impact towards enabling better accuracy and measurement of mineral deposits through Surgical Mining solutions. - Quantify the reduced environmental impact of surgical mining relative to open pit methods, as measured through reduced GHG emissions, water usage, footprint area, noise and dust levels.

In the past couple of years, I've seen the mining industry react to the skills shortage by focusing on headcount targets. However, what's clearly missing is a structured development pathway for new personnel, whether they're coming from overseas or transitioning from operator roles through programs like Cadetship. Without clear growth opportunities and targeted training, we risk not realising the full potential of these new hires. It's time to shift our focus from merely filling positions to nurturing talent and building a more sustainable workforce.

💎 Exciting times are upon the mining industry as it embraces an inspiring mission to enable the transition to clean energy. 💚 Not only does it aim to provide the necessary materials for a technological transition to clean energy, but it also mandates itself to keep pace with, and even surpass, the average rate of this transition. 🤝 This necessitates a renegotiation of the industry's collective and individual social license to operate. This renegotiation should encompass a fresh and progressive approach to wastewater treatment, both at the asset and site levels, as well as on a broader company scale. 🌊 The shift towards sustainable wastewater management not only protects the environment but also bolsters local communities and other stakeholder's trust and confidence. Fortunately, this timing aligns perfectly with technological advancements that facilitate progress. ⌛ By upgrading the social license through the adoption of advanced technologies like PMAP's innovative MgO-based reagents and Unmanned Smart Dispensing Vessel (#USDV), the permitting process—currently elongating the lead time to production of new mines to 16.3 years globally and 18 years in Canada—can be shortened. This accelerates the possibility of achieving clean tech targets within set timelines. 🏞 It's truly exciting to see PMAP leading this revolution, and we stand ready to play our part in this transition alongside leading mining and engineering companies. 🌎Watch our new teaser and join us in this journey for a greener future in mining and beyond...

Enhancing Low-Carbon Hydrogen Production through Stimulated Geological Reactions in Ultramafic Rock Formations. Stimulated geological hydrogen production leverages the natural reactions between water and ultramafic rocks, particularly peridotites, to produce hydrogen (H₂) through engineered processes. This approach has gained traction as a low-carbon hydrogen source. It focuses on maximizing the natural production rates seen in ultramafic rocks, where Fe(II)-bearing minerals oxidize, releasing H₂. The largest known example of this process occurs in Oman’s Samail Ophiolite, where peridotites continuously generate hydrogen at low temperatures due to water-rock interactions. Current research on stimulated hydrogen production suggests that H₂ production could increase by enhancing rock permeability and adjusting water chemistry to promote hydrogen-generating reactions while suppressing microbial consumption. In peridotite formations, certain conditions allow natural H₂ production, but the rate is typically insufficient for economic scalability. For instance, in the Samail Ophiolite, H₂ production must be increased by up to 10,000 times the natural rate. Achieving this involves intensifying fracturing within the rock formations, increasing water-rock interactions, and optimizing fluid chemistry. One potential approach involves fluid injection into these rock formations, which facilitates the Fe(II) oxidation to Fe(III), producing H₂ gas. The reaction volume must be carefully managed to limit microbial H₂ consumption, which can be significant in shallow groundwater zones. In Oman’s case, shallow aquifers naturally contain oxidants like nitrate and sulfate, promoting microbial H₂ consumption. By confining microbial activity to shallower zones, stimulated production strategies aim to minimize H₂ losses and direct hydrogen output to extraction points. Initial techno-economic analyses underline the importance of shallow, accessible formations to reduce drilling costs and optimize fluid pathways. The Samail Ophiolite’s natural fracturing and mineral composition make it a promising candidate for piloting large-scale hydrogen extraction. However, maintaining economically viable production requires advancements in subsurface engineering to enhance reaction kinetics and achieve targeted production rates while managing biological consumption and preventing atmospheric H₂ leakage, which could indirectly impact greenhouse gas levels. This novel approach to hydrogen production addresses the limitations of traditional H₂ generation methods, offering a renewable, low-carbon alternative that leverages geological formations. Future research will continue to refine stimulation techniques, optimize water-rock chemistry, and develop economic models to support broader implementation. Ref: Front. Geochem. 2:1366268. doi: 10.3389/fgeoc.2024.1366268 If you want to stay up-to-date with us, follow our Page. https://lnkd.in/guzFFkHX