Rare metals such as neodymium, niobium and dysprosium that are essential to the production of wind turbines and electric cars, are mines from volcanoes.

William Hutchison, Anouk Borst, and Adrian Finch · The Conversation 11 Nov 2019

Mining and Metals

This is why we use gold as currency

From its relatively low melting point to its yellow hue, gold possesses a combination of unique properties that set it apart from every other element in the periodic table.

Visual Capitalist 16 Jul 2019

Mining and Metals

The digital revolution will transform the steel industry

Manufacturers face a huge opportunity to use digital technology to improve efficiency, customer service, inventory levels and profits

Yvonne Zhou and Lisa Hu 25 Jun 2019

Germany

Germany is turning its old mines into tourist hotspots

The eastern region of Lusatia has been transformed from a mining graveyard to Europe’s biggest lake region.

Charlotte Edmond 06 Jun 2019

China

China rare earth prices soar on their potential role in trade war

The price jumps are a reaction to news that China could use rare earths as a means of targeting the US economy.

Tom Daly and Shivani Singh 06 Jun 2019

Space

Forget the space race, a lunar gold rush is about to start. Here's why that's a problem

As talk of missions to the moon, Mars and beyond gain traction once more, many have started to take the possibility of mining on the moon more seriously. But there are a number of reasons...

Gareth Dorrian · The Conversation 31 May 2019

Electronics

This sensor uses a newly-discovered protein to hunt for rare-earth metals

The new protein-based sensor is significantly easier to use in situations where mass spectrometry is not an available option.

Gail McCormick · Futurity 03 May 2019

Climate Change

Flying cars could cut emissions, replace planes, and free up roads – but not soon enough

According to a new study, flying cars could eventually be greener than even electric road cars, but gaps in technology and practical uncertainties mean that they may not arrive in time to...

Hugh Hunt · The Conversation 23 Apr 2019

Agriculture, Food and Beverage

From the bronze age to food cans, here's how tin changed humanity

It might not be one of the first metals which comes to mind when you think about importance or value. But tin made the transition into the bronze age possible, and more recently brought u...

Michael Cortie · The Conversation 03 Apr 2019

Mining and Metals

Seven trends shaping the future of the mining and metals industry

The mining and metals industry is recovering from one of its most difficult periods in decades - and it now has to contend with a rapidly changing world. Here are seven factors that will ...

Nicolas Maennling and Perrine Toledano 20 Mar 2019

Electronics

We generate 125,000 jumbo jets worth of e-waste every year. Here’s how we can tackle the problem

The advantages of living in a connected world are many and varied. But too much of that relies on a culture of constantly upgrading gadgets. Where those unwanted devices end up, and how t...

Sean Fleming 24 Jan 2019

Chemical and Materials Industry

The periodic table is 150 years old – but it could have looked very different

The periodic table as we know it has not always been so straight forward. Over the years it has seen some creative (and confusing) adaptations.

Mark Lorch · The Conversation 09 Jan 2019

Environment and Natural Resource Security

Chart of the day: These countries have the largest carbon footprints

This chart highlights the enormous variations between the major world economies in CO₂ emissions per capita.

Henry Bewicke 02 Jan 2019

Mining and Metals

Bitcoin mining uses as much energy as mining for gold, according to new research

A new study from Nature looks at the energy required to digitally mine Bitcoin compared to physically mining rare elements.

Reuben Jackson · Big Think 16 Nov 2018

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Mining and Metals

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