Global Centre for Mineral Security News

Sand, gravel and limestone are necessary for the construction of foundations for wind turbines and solar panels, as well as the walls of hydroelectric dams and pumped hydro facilities. 

Forget lithium, copper and rare earths – new research has found that sand and aggregates are the real secret ingredient of the renewable energy transition.

One researcher's extraordinary journey from Namibia to St Lucia in search of answers – and a purpose

Researchers from The University of Queensland have found that as much as 80% of the Pacific region’s sand and aggregate (used to build houses, roads, bridges, and to protect coastlines from the impacts of climate change) come from Fiji – at great cost for some of Fiji’s rivers.

A sustainable mining startup backed by University of Queensland researchers has been recognised among a handful of top global innovators by the World Economic Forum.

For the second year in a row, Sustainable Minerals Institute Research Fellow Juliana Segura-Salazar has won funding from Australia's Economic Accelerator (AEA) to advance research into using ore-sand to reduce and prevent mine waste and help alleviate pressure on natural sand supplies that are being depleted far faster than they can be replenished.

Professor Daniel Franks, Director of the Global Centre for Mineral Security explains how using ore sands could reduce mining waste and help tackle the sand crisis.

To help foster an exchange of mining governance knowledge, 25 participants from across 20 countries took part in the Australia Awards Africa ‘Mining Governance’ short course.

Sand is the world's second most-used commodity and now Indonesia is lifting their 20-year sea sand ban. GCMS PhD candidates offer an analysis in a piece for The Conversation.

Research underway at UQ is investigating whether a new type of sand made from unused materials at mine sites could be a more sustainable alternative.