Title: Mining, Minerals, and the Circular Economy

Report Abstract: 

It is argued that the traditional way of looking at economic activity is not adequate to address the growing problems of the environment and climate. One alternative approach is known as the circular economy, which stresses: reduce, reuse, and recycle. The mining of nonrenewable minerals does not seem to be a good fit for such an approach. Yet the importance of critical minerals for renewable energy production and other green technologies is clear. This talk gives an overview of some of the recent research issues associated with mining and using minerals in a circular economy. The talk will focus on the adjustment of mining to a circular economy and the issues associated with providing critical minerals for a circular economy. Two areas of improvement where mining can better fit in a circular economy are more recycling of final products and better management of mining waste. Issues of concern with the need for critical minerals is adequate availability and supply chain dependence.

Speaker: Prof. Gary A. Campbell

Date/Time: 09:00 – 11:00 AM, 10 March, 2023

Platform: Join Zoom Meeting: 827 2621 3681

Speaker Biography: 

Dr. Gary A. Campbell is a Professor of Natural Resource Economics and Director of the M.S. program in Applied Natural Resource Economics in the College of Business at Michigan Technological University. He received a Ph.D. in Mineral Economics from The Pennsylvania State University, a M.S. in Economics from Iowa State University, and a B.S. in Economics from the University of Missouri-Rolla (Missouri University of Science and Technology). He is currently Co-Editor in Chief of the journal, Resources Policy (SSCI-Level 1). He has academic experience in China, Ethiopia, Mongolia, and South Africa. Metal markets, mineral policy, and mining-community relations are his areas of research interest.