Unresolved Complexity in Assessments of Mineral Resource Depletion and Availability

Northey, SA; Mudd, GM; Werner, TT

Unresolved Complexity in Assessments of Mineral Resource Depletion and Availability

Northey, SA Mudd, GM Werner, TT

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Publisher:: SPRINGER
Publication Type:: Journal Article
Citation:: Natural Resources Research, 2018, 27, (2), pp. 241-255
Issue Date:: 2018-04-01

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Field	Value	Language
dc.contributor.author	Northey, SA
dc.contributor.author	Mudd, GM
dc.contributor.author	Werner, TT
dc.date.accessioned	2022-09-04T07:39:38Z
dc.date.available	2022-09-04T07:39:38Z
dc.date.issued	2018-04-01
dc.identifier.citation	Natural Resources Research, 2018, 27, (2), pp. 241-255
dc.identifier.issn	1520-7439
dc.identifier.issn	1573-8981
dc.identifier.uri	http://hdl.handle.net/10453/161320
dc.description.abstract	Considerations of mineral resource availability and depletion form part of a diverse array of sustainable development-oriented studies, across domains such as resource criticality, life cycle assessment and material flow analysis. Given the multidisciplinary nature of these studies, it is important that a common understanding of the complexity and nuances of mineral supply chains be developed. In this paper, we provide a brief overview of these assessment approaches and expand on several areas that are conceptually difficult to account for in these studies. These include the dynamic nature of relationships between reserves, resources, cut-off grades and ore grades; the ability to account for local economic, social and environmental factors when performing global assessments; and the role that technology improvements play in increasing the availability of economically extractable mineral resources. Advancing knowledge in these areas may further enhance the sophistication and interpretation of studies that assess mineral resource depletion or availability.
dc.language	English
dc.publisher	SPRINGER
dc.relation.ispartof	Natural Resources Research
dc.relation.isbasedon	10.1007/s11053-017-9352-5
dc.rights	info:eu-repo/semantics/closedAccess
dc.subject	0502 Environmental Science and Management, 0914 Resources Engineering and Extractive Metallurgy
dc.subject.classification	Geochemistry & Geophysics
dc.title	Unresolved Complexity in Assessments of Mineral Resource Depletion and Availability
dc.type	Journal Article
utslib.citation.volume	27
utslib.for	0502 Environmental Science and Management
utslib.for	0914 Resources Engineering and Extractive Metallurgy
pubs.organisational-group	/University of Technology Sydney
pubs.organisational-group	/University of Technology Sydney/DVC (Research)
pubs.organisational-group	/University of Technology Sydney/DVC (Research)/Institute For Sustainable Futures
utslib.copyright.status	closed_access	*
dc.date.updated	2022-09-04T07:39:36Z
pubs.issue	2
pubs.publication-status	Published
pubs.volume	27
utslib.citation.issue	2

Abstract:

Considerations of mineral resource availability and depletion form part of a diverse array of sustainable development-oriented studies, across domains such as resource criticality, life cycle assessment and material flow analysis. Given the multidisciplinary nature of these studies, it is important that a common understanding of the complexity and nuances of mineral supply chains be developed. In this paper, we provide a brief overview of these assessment approaches and expand on several areas that are conceptually difficult to account for in these studies. These include the dynamic nature of relationships between reserves, resources, cut-off grades and ore grades; the ability to account for local economic, social and environmental factors when performing global assessments; and the role that technology improvements play in increasing the availability of economically extractable mineral resources. Advancing knowledge in these areas may further enhance the sophistication and interpretation of studies that assess mineral resource depletion or availability.

Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item:

http://hdl.handle.net/10453/161320