Resource Futures

• Mineral Futures - Technological (Exploration) - Remote Sensing:

  • Remote Sensing - Any technique that collects information about the mineral deposit without actually being in contact with it. Usually aerial and satellite surveys,
  • Enables large areas to be surveyed to identify topography and geological features.
• Mineral Futures - Technological (Exploration) - Magnetometry:

  • Used to identify magnetic rock content, such as irone ore.
• Mineral Futures - Technological (Exploration) - Gravimetry:

  • The strength of gravity provides information on the density of rocks and distinguishes magmatic igneous deposits, which are usually denser than sedimentary and placer deposits.
• Mineral Futures - Technological (Exploration) - Seismic Surveys:

  • Echoes of surface vibrations are used to provide information on the depth, angle and thickness of rock strata.
  • Increasingly used in underwater surveys.
• Mineral Futures - Technological (Extraction & Exploitation) - Mechanisation:

  • Greater efficiency is found in many aspects of mining equipment.
  • Larger excavators can extract material more rapidly and cost-effectively.
• Mineral Futures - Technological (Extraction & Exploitation) - Electronic Technologies:

  • The introduction of computer technology, remote-control interfaces, satellite communications and robotics has led to greater safety and productivity in mining, mineral processing, smelting and refining operations.
• Mineral Futures - Technological (Extraction & Exploitation) - Exploiting Low-Grade Ores:

  • Technological developments have made it possible to mine ores of declining grades and more complex mineralogy without increasing costs.
  • Copper in leachate water from spoil heaps can be concentrated by evaporation and then separated by electrolysis.
  • Copper from low-grade copper sulphide spoil heaps can be extracted using bacteria.
• Mineral Futures - Economic (Supply):

  • Mineral resources are abundant but reserves of exploitable material are limited.
  • High extraction costs or a lack of suitable technology can prevent 'possible' reserves from being exploited.
  • Prices for staple ores have been volatile but generally low, discouraging extensive exploitation in the near future (Iron, Copper & Nickel).
  • A greater proportion of recycled materials will enter the supply chain, compensating for falls in supply.
• Mineral Futures - Economic (Demand) - Factors = ↑ Demand:

  • Growing populations
  • Aspirations for a better standard of living from growing affluence in emerging economies.
• Mineral Futures - Economic (Demand) - Factors = ↓ Demand:

  • Increased and cheaper recycling means more reserves are left in the ground.
  • Substitution of metals with other materials.
  • Effects of global recession following COVID.
• Mineral Futures - Environmental & Political:

  • Exploration and development of new mines puts pressure on the natural environment.
  • Environmental protection can only come from governmental controls, local or global.
  • EIAs may mitigate devastation from mineral exploitation but not all regions will impose these restrictions on operators.
  • Developing nations see economic gains from FDI to provide wealth, jobs and improve infrastructure, which may obscure concerns over the environmental impacts.
• Energy Futures:

  • By 2050, non-carbon-emitting sources will comprise around 40% of the global energy mix.
  • Coal could remain important with increased use of clean carbon technologies such as CCS.
  • Oil is likely to decline as its requirement for transport decreases.
  • Average energy use per capita will decline in developed countries as individuals adopt more energy efficiency, but this will be offset by rising per capita elsewhere.
• Energy Futures - Technological (Hydrogen) - Uses:

  • To produce and store surplus energy in fuel cells by electrolysis of water - Converting H20 into H2 and O releases energy.
  • Used as vehicle fuel, or for domestic/industrial heating.
  • Used as chemical energy to make hydrocarbons, which are then the same as fuel like oil and gas.
• Energy Futures - Technological (Hydrogen) - Benefits:

  • High energy density fuel.
  • Technology already developed.
• Energy Futures - Technological (Hydrogen) - Issues:

  • Electrolysis requires energy (Fossil Fuels) -> Emissions from the production negate the benefit but can be made cleaner by using renewables to produce the energy.
  • Needs to be stored safely.
• Energy Futures - Economic :

  • Energy demand will grow slower in developed OECD countries but rise rapidly in emerging economies.
  • Energy trade flows towards Asian markets will continue to grow.
  • Issues concerning the trade of natural gas could be reduced by the increasing availability of LNG.
  • Unconventional oil production in non-OPEC countries will slow down in the mid to late 2020s.
  • Sub-Saharan Africa will only account for 4 percent of the growth in global energy demand.
• Water Futures - Technological:

  • Advances in technology could potentially reduce demand increase supply.
  • e.g. Genetically Modified, desalination, saltwater greenhouses
• Water Futures - Economic:

  • Global economic development is increasing demand, causing water quality issues and leading to supply and demand mismatches.
  • Increasing scarcity of water will raise prices.
  • May lead to more conservation strategies to reduce demand, such as water meters and greywater systems.
  • Or expensive engineering projects to increase supply, such as water transfer projects.
  • Possibly increased water trade.
• Water Futures - Environmental:

  • Future strategies for water management will need to be sustainable and consider the environmental impacts and climate change.
  • May involve river basin management and more use of Environmental Impact Assessments for water-related projects.
• Water Futures - Political:

  • Conflicts over water are likely to increase in the future, and will require global governance and cooperation.
  • UN Sustainable Development goals for sustainable water management and sanitation for all.