Critical Minerals / In Situ Mining
Critical minerals occur in a variety of ore deposits formed through magmatic, magmatic-hydrothermal, and hydrothermal processes. Understanding and characterizing these systems is key to revealing the geological mechanisms and geochemical conditions that drive metal enrichment. At ERL, we investigate how minerals serve as natural archives, capturing the physicochemical signatures of ore-forming processes. By decoding these records, we develop geochemical proxies that both guide mineral exploration and evaluate the ore-forming potential of prospective regions, with a current emphasis on porphyry copper systems.
The discovery rate of major critical mineral resources is steadily declining, underscoring the need for innovative approaches to locate deep and hidden deposits. At ERL, researchers from computational sciences and geosciences collaborate to develop AI and machine learning tools to advance mineral exploration by integrating datasets such as geophysics, geochemical assays, and geology. Through statistical analysis of these multi-source data, we aim to identify patterns and relationships that improve the efficiency of evaluating exploration targets and provide greater confidence in early decision-making.
A large portion of critical mineral resources exists near the surface, yet their low grade or depth within the crust often makes extraction uneconomical. At ERL, we focus on exploring these untapped resources through innovative in-situ mining approaches. By combining geosciences research with cutting-edge biotechnology, we aim to unlock resources that are currently out of reach. Our research team investigates how in-situ biomining could provide a sustainable and efficient method to access these resources, offering new opportunities for the future of mineral extraction.
