Event type:
Evening meeting, Lecture
Organised by:
2018 Year of Resources, Geological Society Events
Venue:
The Geological Society, Burlington House
Event status:
EVENT CLOSED
Population growth, urbanisation and technological transitions are creating increasing demand for minerals and metals. These powerful drivers are likely to sustain this growing material demand up to and beyond the middle of the century. Supply from existing mines can only satisfy demand up to a certain point, after which commodity prices will rise and the market will look for new sources of supply. Commodity price increases also drive innovations in science and technology. These innovations will unlock new metal and mineral resources, pushing development toward the frontiers of possibility.
This lecture will explore some of these new resource frontiers and examine the technological, economic, social and environmental factors which may encourage or constrain development. Throughout human history, mining of minerals and metals has always taken place at geographical and technological frontiers, close to the limit of what is possible. Unprecedented material demand has a strong correlation with human-induced environmental change. Are moves toward these new resource frontiers pushing us toward the edge, to the environmental limits of our planet, or do some directions offer the possibility of a more sustainable future?
Speaker
Andrew Bloodworth British Geological Survey, Science Director for Minerals and Waste
As BGS Science Director for Minerals and Waste, Andrew is responsible for all BGS research related to mineral resources and the geological disposal of radioactive waste. Andrew’s own interests include resource security, critical minerals and the impact of mining on the developing world. He has worked extensively in Africa and was formerly Mining Advisor to the UK Department for International Development. Andrew has been a Fellow since 1995 and a Chartered Geologist. He is also Associate Member of the Royal Town Planning Institute, and a member of the UK Minerals Forum, the Confederation of British Industry Minerals Group and the Mineral Resources Expert Group of EuroGeosurveys.
All past lectures can be viewed online on our Past Meeting Resources Page.
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