Challenges and opportunities for a successful mining industry in the future

António Mateus; Luís Martins

doi:10.21701/bolgeomin.130.1.007

Autores/as

António Mateus Universidade de Lisboa
Luís Martins ASSIMAGRA

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.21701/bolgeomin.130.1.007

Palabras clave:

criticidad, desafíos de la industria minera, economía circular, recursos para el futuro, sostenibilidad

Resumen

Los modelos actuales de crecimiento económico sostenible resultan intensivos en el uso de metales, y no tendrán éxito en el futuro si no se asegura un suministro continuado de los productos derivados de los minerales. Aparte de esta evidencia, existe todavía un significativo rechazo relacionado con la exploración mineral y las actividades mineras, a menudo reflejado en: (i) una opinión pública desfavorable; y (ii) la ausencia de medidas políticas o una continuidad en las agendas que valoren la manera en que se producen los minerales y a los actores directa o indirectamente envueltos en esta producción. Para tener éxito, la industria minera deberá (re)definir su estrategia y encontrar acercamientos innovadores a los antiguos problemas, demostrando claramente que los productos minerales pueden ser suministrados eficientemente para mantener del desarrollo global y proporcionar rutas adecuadas al bienestar y la calidad de vida, proporcionando a su vez un valor real a todos los interesados. En este trabajo se realizará una revisión concisa de los principales desafíos que se encuentra la industria minera, señalando también las oportunidades más relevantes y avanzando algunas propuestas para afrontar de manera constructiva las debilidades y amenazas identificadas. El resultado principal es que el equilibrio en el largo plazo, entre suministro y demanda de productos minerales, requiere acciones concertadas en diferentes frentes apuntando a: (i) la salvaguarda de los recursos conocidos; (ii) estudios geológicos de alta calidad (dirigidos científica y tecnológicamente); (iii) mejoras en minería y transformación/beneficio; (iv) avances en la combinación de materias primas de origen primario y secundario, así como una mayor preocupación en su empleo; (v) una política minera efectiva y estable; y (vi) una nueva percepción del papel jugado por la industria minera mediante un diálogo fructífero con la sociedad en general.

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