PhD scholarship available for a project on ‘Impacts of technology development on social and governance frameworks in the context of mineral exploration’

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Adam Simpson

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Dec 9, 2021, 9:30:13 PM12/9/21

to Global Environmental Politics Group

Hi,

I’m on the supervisory team for a PhD scholarship available for a project on ‘Impacts of technology development on social and governance frameworks in the context of mineral exploration’. It’s a great opportunity for a social scientist with an interest in natural resource governance:

https://workingatunisa.nga.net.au/?jati=5612DDC7-536A-5C70-3DE6-C00554F432C0

Are you seeking to advance your career in mining, energy and natural resources? The University of South Australia—Australia’s University of Enterprise—is offering an exceptional opportunity to apply for a PhD project that seeks to map the interface between mineral exploration and society, based in the Future Industries Institute in collaboration with the Government of South Australia’s Department of Energy and Mining (DEM) and our MinEX CRC.

Global demand for materials critical to building clean technologies is increasing exponentially as countries work towards net-zero carbon emissions targets. The MinEx CRC is developing new drilling and sensor technologies to deliver more efficient and environmentally friendly methods of mineral exploration.

But social license to operate (SLO) is a challenge to all mineral exploration and mining activities. Disruptive technologies will impact SLO because how they will be used and the impact they may have on the environment and community differ from that of traditional technologies.

Such variables require communication not only within the field in which they will be applied, but also with the public to build confidence and acceptance in purpose and application. This PhD project will investigate how MinEx CRC innovations in mineral exploration technologies impact or may be impacted by SLO and regulatory policy and governance approaches.

The project will consider the environmental and physical ground surface impact of MinEx CRC technologies towards acceptance of mineral exploration; how MinEx CRC technologies may impact people and communities, for example through employment opportunities; and identify pinch points between new MinEx CRC technologies, regulatory policy and governance approaches and SLO that may be reconciled to improve approaches to mineral exploration.

This is an opportunity for you to join a world-renowned collaborative endeavour between FII and the MinEx CRC. Together they have developed a new coiled tubing drill rig for mineral exploration, laser-based sensors for collection of real time rock chemistry data, machine learning algorithms for automation, and geoscience projects for understanding mineral system genesis and ore deposit targeting.

You will be immediately immersed within a dynamic environment within which you will be supported not only in your own project, but also encouraged to directly learn about the broader MinEx CRC agenda. This project will position you as an important expert in this critical and ever-evolving industry.

Essential Dates

Applications close at 11.30pm [ACST], Sunday, 23 January 2022.

Best,
Adam.

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Dr Adam Simpson | PhD MEnvSt GradDipEd BSc(Ma&CompSc) BEc

Senior Lecturer, International Studies

Justice & Society

University of South Australia

GPO Box 2471, IPC: MAG-03

Adelaide SA

AUSTRALIA 5001

https://people.unisa.edu.au/adam.simpson