Global and local challenges for research, development and innovation in mining and metallurgy: a Chilean perspective.

Transcription

1 Global and local challenges for research, development and innovation in mining and metallurgy: a Chilean perspective. Prof. Roberto Parra Figueroa Metallurgical Department University of Concepción

2 Agenda The local scenario Human resources and R&D capabilities Challenges and objectives Discussion

3 productivity The local scenario In Chile, the mining and processing of copper alone generates approximately 20% of GDP and some 60% of exports Production of this metal has helped the Chilean economy expansion in the last decade however much of recent boom has been driven mainly by unit metal price, and not productivity. energy This has led to rising underlying costs which, as metal prices have subsequently weakened, are becoming unsustainable. geology

4 The local scenario Lower head grades world average Cu is now 1%, by 2025 will be 0.6% Harder ore and transition to underground more energy intensive More difficult to treat ores with higher penalty elements e.g. arsenic. Lack of chemical and applied mineralogy fundamentals. Competition for water and rising societal expectations Effective tailings treatments larger volumes being processed and access to land issues Chile currently imports its knowledge and loses some of its best to the global industry The Chilean resource industry needs a transformation in productivity, energy, water and environmental management. Chile needs to insource this knowledge

5 The local scenario 1. Applied Mineralogy and Geometallurgy (AMG). 2. Fundaments and Process Development (FDP). 3. Sensing and Optimization (SO). 4. Sustainability and Mineral Economics (SME) / New resources: Li and rare earth The Chilean resource industry needs a transformation in productivity, energy, water and environmental management. Chile needs to insource this knowledge

6 Agenda The local scenario Human resources and R&D capabilities Challenges and objectives Discussion

7 Human resources and R&D capabilities - Research is developed in a wide sort of topics by academia, most of them in Eng. Dept.: - Universidad Católica de Chile - Universidad Católica de Valparaiso - Universidad Católica del Norte - Universidad de Antofagasta - Universidad de Concepción - Universidad de Chile - Universidad de Santiago de Chile - Universidad Técnica Federico Santa María.

8 Human resources and R&D capabilities - Centres of R&D: - Advanced Mining Technology Centre Universidad de Chile - Centro de Investigación Científico Tecnológico para la Minería CICITEM Universidad de Antofagasta, Universidad Católica del Norte. - SCIRO Chile SCIRO Australia and Universidad de Chile - SMI-ICE-Chile SMI University of Queensland and Universidad de Concepción

9 Human resources and R&D capabilities - Centres with a proposal of research and development in an early stage - Centro de Automatización y Supervisión para la Industria Minera Universidad Técnica Federico Santa María - Centre of Innovation in Mining Universidad Adolfo Ibañez - Others centres with activities on mining - Insituto de sistemas complejos en Ingeniería. Natural resources Universidad de Chile. - Center for Mathematical Modelling Universidad de Chile. - IM 2 : Instituto de Innovación en Minería y Metalurgia - The only centre in Chile funded by a mining company: CODELCO

10 Agenda The local scenario and its objectives Human resources and R&D capabilities Challenges and objectives Discussion

11 Challenges and objectives During the last decades, several efforts have been conducted by public policies in Chile in order to increase its scientific productivity with, in general, good results. However all this effort hasn t been yet traduced in a relevant impact on the competiveness of the Chilean economy. Particularly, it was identified a limited generation of science-based innovation. The mining sector and their related activities must develop an industry of goods and services based on science and technology, to address productivity challenges in the sector through the creation of a strong innovation ecosystem in associative way, including the industry, suppliers, the national science and technology system, the academia and the and the state

12 Challenges and objectives Scientific Research Relevant knowledge and skills Step 1: It works, it is needed an strength for accelerate the development of potential developments on innovations with "scientific basis".

13 Challenges and objectives Scientific Research Relevant knowledge and skills Precompetitive developments Proposals innovation for Step 2: It Works, requires additional human resources to increase development.

14 Challenges and objectives Scientific Research Relevant knowledge and skills Precompetitive developments Proposals innovation for Technology validation Real impact in Industry

15 Challenges and objectives Scientific Research Steps 3 and 4: Key development needed. Relevant knowledge and skills Precompetitive developments Proposals innovation for Technology validation Real impact in Industry

16 Agenda The local scenario and its objectives Human resources and R&D capabilities Challenges Discussion

17 Discussion - Actors: lack of linkages with companies and suppliers. - Identification of areas of collaboration subjects and priorities. - Multidisciplinary and complementary approach to tackle complex problems. - Facilitation of knowledge management - Looking for an impact within the Chilean ecosystem - Sustainability as a driven force

18 ..Thank you for your attention..