Meeting the future minerals demand while reducing environmental impact is challenging, mainly because strategic minerals are often found in low-grade deposits in extreme environments, such as deep underground, deep sea or deep space, requiring more intensive extraction processes.
In this research theme, we aim to analyse technologies specific to operating in these extreme environments. Our capability and proven expertise in Space Resource Utilisation research have connected us with the mining and space industries, leading to close collaborations with , the and other industry partners. Exploration in remote environments requires specific instruments engineered for restricted payload weights and size for operating in extreme conditions.
Applications include environmental impact and resource optimisation, integrated economic modelling, and extraction technologies for extra-terrestrial operations and deep-sea resources.
