Why Are We Sending Critical Metals to the Dump? | Jeff More | TED

Summary

Mining is an essential industry that powers modern technologies like smartphones, electric vehicles, and clean energy solutions. However, the global demand for metals, especially copper, is outpacing supply, with a significant shortage expected by 2050. Traditional mining is wasteful, discarding valuable metals in waste dumps. New technologies like ShovelSense, using AI and sensors, are revolutionizing mining by reducing waste and increasing production. These innovations can boost copper output by up to 30%, helping meet future demand without the need for new mines. The future of mining lies in smarter, more efficient operations that minimize environmental impact.

Takeaways

• 😀 Mining is an essential industry, with historical ages even named after metals like the Bronze Age, which is mostly made of copper.
• 😀 Copper is often considered the first metal humanity used for technological advancements, marking a leap from the Stone Age.
• 😀 Copper is crucial for modern technology, including electronics, electric vehicles, renewable energy systems, and even coffee machines.
• 😀 As we transition to renewable technologies like wind turbines and solar power, the demand for copper and other metals is rapidly increasing.
• 😀 There is a looming global copper shortage, with a predicted 19 million tons deficit by 2050, almost equal to the current annual production.
• 😀 Meeting this copper demand would require building 50 new mines in the next six years, but new mines take about 15 years to develop.
• 😀 Traditional mining practices are wasteful, with large quantities of copper and other materials discarded in waste dumps.
• 😀 There’s potential to reduce mining waste by utilizing new technologies that help miners detect valuable metals in the rock while it's being mined.
• 😀 ShovelSense is a cutting-edge technology that allows miners to see inside the rock, improving decision-making and increasing copper recovery rates by 5-30%.
• 😀 By optimizing existing mining operations with technology like ShovelSense, it's possible to increase copper production without building new mines, potentially providing 2 million extra tons by 2030.

Q & A

What is the historical significance of mining as an industry?

Mining has been such an essential industry that it has shaped human history, with entire ages named after the metals produced by mining, such as the Bronze Age, which is named after bronze, a metal largely composed of copper.

Why is copper referred to as the 'industrial metal'?

Copper is called the 'industrial metal' because, despite often being unseen, it plays a critical role in numerous technologies, including electrical systems, electronics, and renewable energy technologies like electric vehicles, wind turbines, and solar power.

How has the demand for copper been affected by the clean energy transition?

The demand for copper is growing significantly due to its essential role in clean energy technologies. Electric vehicles, wind turbines, and solar power systems require much more copper than traditional technologies they replace, which has led to a dramatic increase in demand.

What is the predicted copper supply shortage by 2050?

By 2050, the world is expected to face a copper supply shortage of 19 million tons, which is nearly equal to the total copper production of today. This highlights the growing gap between demand and available resources.

How many copper mines are operating globally, and what is the challenge in meeting future demand?

There are currently about 250 copper mines globally. The challenge in meeting future demand is that, even if new mines were identified, they typically take 15 years to develop, making it impossible to fill the gap in the short term.

What is the issue with the waste produced by copper mining?

A major issue with copper mining is that over half of the material extracted from the earth ends up as waste in massive dumps. This means valuable copper is being discarded instead of being used to meet growing demand.

What is 'ShovelSense' and how does it help improve copper mining?

'ShovelSense' is a technology that allows miners to see inside the rock as it is being loaded into trucks. By using advanced sensors and AI, it helps miners make better decisions about whether the material should be processed for copper or discarded as waste, ultimately reducing wasted resources and increasing production.

What were the initial challenges faced when developing 'ShovelSense'?

The development of 'ShovelSense' faced significant challenges, including the technology breaking after just eight minutes of use during early tests. The equipment had to withstand shock levels far beyond what was initially expected, but over time, the team improved the system's durability.

How has the introduction of 'ShovelSense' impacted copper production at existing mines?

The introduction of 'ShovelSense' has led to an increase in copper production at existing mines by between 5% and 30%, which is a substantial boost. This has allowed the equivalent of one entire new mine's worth of copper to be produced in just two years, without needing to build a new mine.

What are the broader implications of the technology developed by MineSense for the mining industry?

MineSense's technology not only increases copper production but also reduces the environmental impact of mining by using less water and electricity. It is applicable to other metals such as nickel, iron, zinc, and cobalt, which are also critical for the clean energy transition.