Can Humans Mine Enough Minerals for Net-Zero?

The road to net zero demands vast quantities of critical minerals that are essential for clean energy technologies, like hydrogen, solar panels, and electric vehicle batteries.

The mining industry is constantly exploring innovative solutions for its role in accomplishing humanity’s most ambitious goal. However, it’s unlikely we’ll meet them if they don’t continue to seek new technologies. Take the United Nations’ goal of reducing emission by 45% by 2030 and to reach net zero by 2050.

Copper, often called the electrification metal, is critical in this journey. Without enough copper, we likely won’t be able to make the energy transition. Demand is expected to double by 2035 – right in the middle of our race to net zero.

The pertinent question: Can humans produce enough minerals to support this transition? The answer hinges on leveraging cutting-edge technologies for mines already in operation.?

When it comes to mining, you may picture giant veins of copper in the side of a mountain that are harvested by pickaxe and headlamp-ladened prospectors.?

In reality, the collection of copper, gold, molybdenum, and other vital resources is far more advanced, innovative, and technologically driven.

With all this new technology, why not just open new mines? The answer is scary but simple. In addition to being nonrenewable resources, new mines require astronomical financial and time investments, with an 18-year timeline from the first discovery of minerals to production. We need technology that impacts current mines and deposits.

If the existing mining industry and infrastructure can’t produce the raw materials we need, we will never have the resources required to hit net zero, and emissions will continue to rise.

How is the mining industry doing more with less with not much room for new? It’s becoming hyper efficient and relentlessly effective.

From new leaching technologies that process previously unobtainable copper through the recovery processes to AI and robotics data solutions that predict maintenance and increase the reliability of the existing production-critical infrastructure – technology is redefining what is possible. Emerging technologies give us actionable insights that affect the production, safety, and environmental impact of our mining efforts.

Can we mine enough minerals for our net-neutral goals? It’s only possible if we equip the teams in place with new tools in automation, robotics, machine learning, and advanced data analytics. When we drill, dig, crush, and leach, we need to get every molecule we can if we’re going to reach our species' great ambitions.

If you are in the mining industry and are working on innovative ways to solve the mineral demand problem, I would love to talk to you about what you’re doing, areas for opportunity, and share what I’ve learned.

Written by Will Reilly , Manufacturing Lead at Gecko --> Contact me at [email protected] or Book Time Here.