New Flowsheets for a New Era

Abstract

Society continues to require metals and materials as it transitions to a new, more sustainable economy. The energy transition requires the mining industry to supply a range of critical minerals, but it can’t do it the way it has been done in the past. The increasing environmental stress on natural air, land and water systems due to growing demand for metals is not sustainable without rethinking the approach to mineral extraction, processing, recycling and waste. New flowsheets are needed!

The circular economy will be a key economic growth engine for decades to come, requiring new ways of thinking about mining, supply chains and markets. This transformation requires innovation at all levels from technology, to business strategy to market structure and policy.

This keynote provides strategic insight and examples of the technologies that will reshape the mining industry and the commercialization path required. Re-examining process fundamentals, process intensities, the hierarchy of controls, and market structure under the lens of the new economy opens up new possibilities for value creation. Examples from commodities including Nickel, Lithium, and Rare Earths are given.