The 32 members of the SMI-ICE-Chile team met in Termas de Jahuel to carry out the 2024 strategic planning. Over two days, the Centre’s seven areas discussed the main challenges facing the Sustainable Minerals Institute at The University of Queensland, based in Chile, especially in view of critical minerals’ decisive role in the global energy transition.
Executive Director Doug Aitken presented the Centre’s main challenges in this transition phase, from ongoing consolidation to achieving financial self-sustainability. «It’s a challenging scenario that offers many opportunities,» he stressed. «But it also requires us to think strategically about how to contribute from research and development to the conflicts and risks faced by mining today, in a context of vulnerability to climate change, more complex operational environments, greater social demands and higher costs.»
The planning meeting was also attended by Rick Valenta, the Director of SMI at The University of Queensland. Professor Valenta, who is also an expert in geology and geophysics applied to mining exploration, gave a talk on global trends in the mining industry, opportunities and challenges, including the scenarios facing demand for critical metals: «Despite mining companies’ caution in the face of certain risks, such as international conflicts, the task of reducing the carbon footprint is still very much alive and well,» he said. «Due to the importance of Chile and Latin America as producers of critical minerals, there is great growth potential for SMI-ICE-Chile’s research in the Americas. And in this context, we at SMI are challenged to produce world-class science for the mining industry.»
During the two days of planning, SMI-ICE-Chile’s different areas had the opportunity to think about the actions and goals to achieve the company’s strategic objectives, and they were also able to engage in other work dynamics, such as industry-related ethical discernment exercises.
SMI-ICE-Chile is seven years old, and has a portfolio of 47 completed and 9 active projects: particularly noteworthy are its cutting-edge research and technologies and training platforms to address the mining industry’s main challenges in water management, community engagement, environmental rehabilitation, mineral processing, safety and health.
