The exposure of global base metal resources to water criticality, scarcity and climate change

Northey, Stephen; Mudd, Gavin Mark; Werner, Tim T.; Jowitt, Simon M.; Haque, Nawshad; Yellishetty, Mohan; Weng, Zhehan

doi:10.1016/j.gloenvcha.2017.04.004

Cited by 122 publications

(72 citation statements)

References 68 publications

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“…Diverse mining companies have their deposits in arid areas, especially in northern Chile, southern Peru, Australia, Africa and Asia [1,2]. In these regions, water availability may be a serious challenge and is the primary purpose for plants to reduce their water demand while avoiding significant alterations in production.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Viscoelasticity of Quartz and Kaolin Slurries in Seawater: Importance of Magnesium Precipitates

Jeldres

Fuentes

Robles

et al. 2019

Metals

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In this study, the viscoelastic properties of quartz and kaolin suspensions in seawater were analysed considering two distinct conditions: pH 8 and 10.7. Creep and oscillatory sweep tests provided the rheological parameters. An Anton Paar MCR 102 rheometer (ANAMIN Group, Santiago, Chile) was used with a vane-in-cup configuration, and the data were processed with RheoCompassTM Light software (ANAMIN Group, Santiago, Chile). The outcomes were associated with the formation of solid species principally composed of magnesium precipitates. The magnesium in solution reduced in the presence of quartz (68 wt %), from 1380 to 1280 mg/L. Since the difference was not large regarding the solid-free seawater, the disposition of solid complexes at pH 10.7 was expected to be similar. The jump in pH caused both yield stress and viscoelastic moduli to drop, suggesting that the solid precipitates diminished the strength of the particle networks that made up the suspension. For the kaolin slurries (37 wt %), the yield stress raised when the pH increased, but unlike quartz, there was significant adsorption of magnesium cations. In fact, the concentration of magnesium in solution fell from 1380 to 658 mg/L. Dynamic oscillatory assays revealed structural changes in both pulps; in particular, the phase angle was greater at pH 8 than at pH 10.7, which indicates that at more alkaline conditions, the suspension exhibits a more solid-like character.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Viscoelasticity of Quartz and Kaolin Slurries in Seawater: Importance of Magnesium Precipitates

Jeldres

Fuentes

Robles

et al. 2019

Metals

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“…In part, this is owing to a lack of clarity and consistency about what NNL Figure 2. Distribution of operating metal mines and prospecting projects [39] among Earth's terrestrial biomes [40]. Mine symbol colour distinguishes between metals (lead/zinc, copper, nickel) and symbol size depicts reserve size (Mt).…”

Section: Opportunities For Overcoming Biodiversity Conservation Challmentioning

confidence: 99%

Mining and biodiversity: key issues and research needs in conservation science

2018

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Mining poses serious and highly specific threats to biodiversity. However, mining can also be a means for financing alternative livelihood paths that, over the long-term, may prevent biodiversity loss. Complex and controversial issues associated with mining and biodiversity conservation are often simplified within a narrow frame oriented towards the negative impacts of mining at the site of extraction, rather than posed as a series of challenges for the conservation science community to embrace. Here, we synthesize core issues that, if better understood, may ensure coexistence between mining and conservation agendas. We illustrate how mining impacts biodiversity through diverse pathways and across spatial scales. We argue that traditional, site-based conservation approaches will have limited effect in preventing biodiversity loss against an increasing mining footprint, but opportunities to improve outcomes (e.g. through long-term strategic assessment and planning) do exist. While future mineral supply is uncertain, projections suggest demand will grow for many metals and shift mining operations towards more dispersed and biodiverse areas. Initiating dialogue between mining companies, policy-makers and conservation organizations is urgent, given the suite of international agendas simultaneously requiring more minerals but less biodiversity loss.

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“…In addition, mines are often situated in water scarce areas [11] where there is increasing competition for access. Some 70 per cent of mining operations, those associated with six of the largest global mining companies, are located in areas of high (56 per cent) or moderate risk (14 per cent) of water stress [12].…”

Section: The Drivers For Changementioning

confidence: 99%

From Water Management to Water Stewardship—A Policy Maker’s Opinion on the Progress of the Mining Sector

Hamilton

2019

Water

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Water is a critical resource for mining operations, as it is for many other water users within any local catchment. With operations often located in water scarce areas, mining companies are increasingly experiencing competition for access to water resources. Concerns over the potential adverse impacts of mining on these shared resources has resulted in the sectors water management approach and practices being challenged by external stakeholders including local communities. This paper overviews the drivers that have resulted in the mining sector expanding its approach from water management within the operational fence line to catchment water stewardship, some of the major obstacles to continued progress and the related needs for guidance, research and research applications.

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The exposure of global base metal resources to water criticality, scarcity and climate change

Cited by 122 publications

References 68 publications

Viscoelasticity of Quartz and Kaolin Slurries in Seawater: Importance of Magnesium Precipitates

Viscoelasticity of Quartz and Kaolin Slurries in Seawater: Importance of Magnesium Precipitates

Mining and biodiversity: key issues and research needs in conservation science

From Water Management to Water Stewardship—A Policy Maker’s Opinion on the Progress of the Mining Sector

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