Mining, The Future

In another EarthDate, we talk about how mining provides the materials to build the modern world. But new technology is changing that world. We’re building huge new data centers for AI; batteries to power EVs, and stabilize the power grid; and enormous volumes of solar panels and wind turbines. All these will require a lot more mining. And all mining impacts the environment. So engineers are working to make the process cleaner and safer. Mine tailings – the waste rock – are today kept in huge ponds, which can spill catastrophically. New techniques dry them out for safer storage, or to use as construction materials, and recycle the water. And more mines are capturing, treating and reusing water throughout their processes. Many mines are working to reduce emissions at the site, switching diesel equipment and trucks for electric motors, requiring more electricity. More advanced automation makes mines more efficient. More advanced exploration uses less energy and disturbs less land to find new resources. New technologies extract lithium directly from hot, deep brines. And use electricity, instead of high heat or strong acids, to separate metals from mining waste. Meanwhile, improved recycling programs recover more copper, lithium and other metals from old electronics, batteries and scrap, to help reduce the need for new mines. And we talk about that, on another EarthDate.