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Critical Skills for Critical Minerals
Diana Drinkwater
Metcelerate
ABSTRACT: The mining industry is currently riding a wave of opportunity generated by new technologies.
Policymakers around the world are highlighting the importance of a secure supply of so-called critical minerals
and making some startling predictions about the increasing demand for the traditional staples Copper,
Aluminium and Steel.
It’s also encouraging to see an acknowledged need for investment in education. However, the focus tends to be
on mining and exploration activities, and there is little apparent appreciation of the opportunity for value gain,
or value loss, in concentration, extraction and purification of minerals and metals.
The International Mineral Processing Council (IMPC) has conducted several studies aimed at identifying
good practice in mineral processing education and the broader environmental factors required to ensure best
outcomes.
This presentation will review the work done to date and suggest some actions that directly address the needs of
the critical minerals boom.
The policymakers may not yet realise how much they need us, but eventually they will, and we need to be ready.
THE SKILLS SHORTAGE IN THE
MINING SECTOR
Global policymakers are making startling predictions about
future demand for mineral products and metals, driven by
emerging technologies and the subsequent demand for new
materials. Reports are stacking up from government and
non-government organisations, emphasizing the impor-
tance of a secure supply of critical minerals and the tradi-
tional staples of copper, aluminium, and steel. Alongside
forecasts of future mineral production demand, many of
these reports also address the need for an appropriately
skilled professional workforce.
In 2022, the US department of commerce identified
that the country was, “import-reliant (imports are greater
than 50 percent of annual consumption) for 31 of the 35
minerals designated as critical by the Department of the
Interior”’ and released a report outlining a strategy to
reduce the Nation’s reliance on critical minerals [US Dept
of Commerce, 2022]. In 2023 the Australian government
addressed the need to bring online sufficient new supply
of necessary critical minerals, stating that “The world’s
total demand for minerals necessary for the development
of clean energy technologies is forecast to double or even
quadruple by 2040”[ Department of Industry, Science and
Resources, 2023].
These two documents, and many others besides,
acknowledge the need for more investment in education
and training in order to build a workforce with the skills
Critical Skills for Critical Minerals
Diana Drinkwater
Metcelerate
ABSTRACT: The mining industry is currently riding a wave of opportunity generated by new technologies.
Policymakers around the world are highlighting the importance of a secure supply of so-called critical minerals
and making some startling predictions about the increasing demand for the traditional staples Copper,
Aluminium and Steel.
It’s also encouraging to see an acknowledged need for investment in education. However, the focus tends to be
on mining and exploration activities, and there is little apparent appreciation of the opportunity for value gain,
or value loss, in concentration, extraction and purification of minerals and metals.
The International Mineral Processing Council (IMPC) has conducted several studies aimed at identifying
good practice in mineral processing education and the broader environmental factors required to ensure best
outcomes.
This presentation will review the work done to date and suggest some actions that directly address the needs of
the critical minerals boom.
The policymakers may not yet realise how much they need us, but eventually they will, and we need to be ready.
THE SKILLS SHORTAGE IN THE
MINING SECTOR
Global policymakers are making startling predictions about
future demand for mineral products and metals, driven by
emerging technologies and the subsequent demand for new
materials. Reports are stacking up from government and
non-government organisations, emphasizing the impor-
tance of a secure supply of critical minerals and the tradi-
tional staples of copper, aluminium, and steel. Alongside
forecasts of future mineral production demand, many of
these reports also address the need for an appropriately
skilled professional workforce.
In 2022, the US department of commerce identified
that the country was, “import-reliant (imports are greater
than 50 percent of annual consumption) for 31 of the 35
minerals designated as critical by the Department of the
Interior”’ and released a report outlining a strategy to
reduce the Nation’s reliance on critical minerals [US Dept
of Commerce, 2022]. In 2023 the Australian government
addressed the need to bring online sufficient new supply
of necessary critical minerals, stating that “The world’s
total demand for minerals necessary for the development
of clean energy technologies is forecast to double or even
quadruple by 2040”[ Department of Industry, Science and
Resources, 2023].
These two documents, and many others besides,
acknowledge the need for more investment in education
and training in order to build a workforce with the skills
