Title: Mineral resources landscape: reconciling complexity, sustainability and technology

Authors: Carlia Cooper, Damien Giurco

Addresses: Institute for Sustainable Futures, University of Technology, Sydney, Australia. ' Institute for Sustainable Futures, University of Technology, Sydney, Australia

Abstract: This paper explores the complexity of the resource development and sustainability problematique. The Mineral Resources Landscape presented in this paper links minerals production and consumption and connects social, ecological, technological, economic and governance domains across local, national and global scales. Using the framework to map current research shows an industry focus on |resource availability| and developing new |technology for processing| whilst ignoring the in use |services and value| offered by the minerals. These overlooked areas are proposed as being integral to developing sustainable systems of Australian minerals production and consumption, across multiple scales and domains.

Keywords: innovation; mining; minerals; mineral resources; processing technology; sustainability; sustainable development; recycling; mineral resources landscape; environmental issues; economic issues; social issues; governance; complexity; minerals consumption; minerals production; Australia; ecology.

DOI: 10.1504/IJTIP.2011.041250

International Journal of Technology Intelligence and Planning, 2011 Vol.7 No.1, pp.1 - 18

Published online: 14 Jul 2011 *

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