The green energy transition is aimed at mitigating the impact of climate change. Yet, current emphasis on 'green' narrowly centred around decarbonisation, or CO2 reduction, often side-lining roles other gases, such as sulphur hexafluoride (SF6) and PCF-14 (CF4), which have a respective 24,300- 7380-times higher global warming potential than time horizon century. In addition, any complex affair that simultaneously impacts environmental, economic social systems, with significant system-level...

The energy sector is currently undergoing a transition towards increased utilization of green technologies. relies heavily on metals, such as aluminium, chromium, cobalt, copper, lithium, manganese, nickel, rare earth elements (REEs), silicon, tin, titanium, tungsten and zinc, among others. However, this occurs within the context of: (1) geographical concentration known mineral deposits downstream capability; (2) demand that vastly exceeds supply; (3) strong drive to mitigate environmental...

Underground mining has historically occurred in surface and near-surface (shallow) mineral deposits. While no universal definition of deep underground exists, humanity's need for non-renewable natural resources inevitably pushed the boundaries possibility terms environmental technological constraints. Recently, is being extensively developed due to depletion shallow One main advantages its lower footprint compared mining. In this paper, we summarise key factors driving mining, which include...

Transitioning to a decarbonized and circular economy is paramount for climate change mitigation sustainable development. In this paper we assess the global production trends of cobalt, an energy-transition metal (ETM), its supply sustainability. Accurate forecasting ETMs essential understand dynamics energy security adequately plan from fossil fuel renewable production. Evaluations market concentrations demonstrate that cobalt high-risk characterized by fluctuations supply-chain...

The concept of the 4th industrial revolution is becoming a strategic determinant sustainability, success and competitiveness in modern mining sector. importance digital transformation industry has long been debated, hampered part by conservative nature Much debate focused on choosing suitable techniques that provide acceptable levels ore/waste selectivity, scale implementation, cost reduction metallurgical extraction techniques. purpose this review to give an overview minerals extractive...

The pursuit of improved quality life standards has significantly influenced the contemporary mining model in 21st century. This era is witnessing an unprecedented transformation driven by pressing concerns related to sustainability, climate change, just energy transition, dynamic operating environments, and complex social challenges. Such transitions present both opportunities obstacles. aim this study provide extensive literature review on transition identify challenges strategies...

The concept of mining modernisation has become topical in the quest for sustainable mining, and environmental, social governance (ESG) requirements. This is not surprising considering modernisation's important role current context 4th anticipated 5th industrial revolutions. A company's success, competitiveness sustainability largely hinges on its ability to proactively envision future mine plan an implementation pathway now rather than passively responding inevitable unfolding. Although...

Abstract Regional geochemical surveys generate large amounts of data that can be used for a number purposes such as to guide mineral exploration. Modern are typically designed permit quantification uncertainty through quality metrics by using assurance and control (QA/QC) methods. However, these metrics, accuracy precision, obtained the generation phase. Consequently, it is unclear how residual in minimized (denoised). This limitation propagating downstream activities, particularly complex...

Abstract The primary goal of mineral prospectivity mapping (MPM) is to narrow the search for resources by producing spatially selective maps. However, in data-driven domain, MPM products vary depending on workflow implemented. Although data science framework popular guide implementation tasks, and intended create objective replicable workflows, this does not necessarily mean that maps derived from workflows are optimal a spatial sense. In study, we explore interactions between key components...

The quest for steady primary supplies of critical raw materials (CRMs) creates significant waste, which is inevitably generated at each phase mining and mineral processing. Waste from extraction, separation refinement non-renewable natural resources accumulated globally not only environmental hazards but also economic possibilities. Mine waste management an expensive prolonged task unavoidable. tailings, especially historical ones, can contain economically feasible resources, given the right...

Mineral resources are important contributors to the global economy and societal wellbeing. Directly, they provide employment, revenue taxes through extraction, processing sale of minerals. Indirectly, essential all modern industries, including: energy, manufacturing, construction, biotic abiotic resource extraction agriculture. The principle that 'one cannot understand value what have until measure it' is particularly relevant with critical raw materials (CRMs). CRM a concept categorises...

The underground mining industry faces significant challenges in maintaining reliable communication due to multipath fading and physical obstructions, leading weak signals dead spots. This study addresses these issues by proposing a smart antenna system with circular polarization beam steering capabilities. utilizes four-element square patch array Butler matrix for beamforming, enabling directional signal transmission. was designed optimized using CST simulations. experimental results...

Remote sensing data is a cheap form of surficial geoscientific data, and in terms veracity, velocity volume, can sometimes be considered big data. Its spatial spectral resolution continues to improve over time, some modern satellites, such as the Copernicus Programme's Sentinel-2 remote offer 10 m across many their bands. The abundance quality combined with accumulated primary geochemical has provided an unprecedented opportunity inferentially invert into ability derive from would provide...

Abstract In geospatial data interpolation, as in mapping, mineral resource estimation, modeling and numerical geosciences, kriging has been a central technique since the advent of geostatistics. Here, we introduce new method for spatial interpolation 2D 3D using block discretization (i.e., microblocking) purely machine-learning algorithms workflow design. This paper addresses challenges patterns regularities nature, how different approaches have used to cope with these challenges. We...

Critical Raw Materials (or CRMs) are materials that in high demand, difficult to replace and whose supply is prone disruption. Various nations have defined CRM lists, although terminology, supporting data assessment frameworks differ. The European Union (EU) has the longest published history of lists with first one 2011, followed by 3-year revisions. In this study, we analyze designation trends over time using EU's five deduce driving factors. Overall, number CRMs increased 1.67 new per year...

The futuristic view of smart mines is the attainment automated self-governed without human intervention throughout value chain. However, reality entails a hybrid environment where humans and machines must effectively work together, with bias towards highly aiding capabilities. minerals industry will require systems, processes strategies to navigate this transitional period. In work, we focus on role that integrated remote operation centres (IROCs) play in ensuring mining companies continue...

Geochemical surveys are a cornerstone for data generation in geosciences, facilitating resource exploration. is essential identifying mineralized areas, understanding local geology and assessing environmental impacts. This paper aims to: (1) review the process of geochemical to gain an appreciation characteristics traditional data; (2) recent developments usage data, particularly disruption brought forth by those science artificial intelligence; (3) envision future specification that would...

New major- and trace-element data are presented for low-grade metamorphosed marine shale units of the highly auriferous Mesoarchean Witwatersrand Supergroup in Kaapvaal Craton, South Africa. Comparison most altered with least samples revealed that postdepositional modification chemistry was significant only near contacts over- underlying coarser-grained siliciclastic rocks along cross-cutting faults, veins, dikes. Away from such zones, composition can be used to draw inferences on sediment...

Mine waste can create long-term and occasionally catastrophic environmental degradation. Due diligence of mine in the form monitoring maintenance requires a constant supply societal resources. Furthermore, is unlikely to disappear with current mining methods instead, it more likely accumulate at faster rate due decreasing primary ore grades increasing demands. However, be asset, as offer an alternative source partly critical raw materials (CRMs) that augment sources provide opportunity...