Mining Cleantech Challenge

(including but not limited to): Novel materials or chemicals comprised of no or fewer hazardous chemicals; advanced materials less likely to rust or corrode which will improve containment; improved treating chemicals and detection methods; chemicals to extract hazardous items from produced fluids; new products made from captured CO2, new ways to capture/separate CO2 and NGLs.

(including but not limited to): That target microbes or enzymes to treat waste or advance traditional mining extraction processes.

(including but not limited to): Blockchains are an immutable, distributed database that opens up new use cases between trust boundaries, such as between disparate organizations. Applications of blockchain technology in mining could include the creation of efficient, trusted marketplaces; or distributed transactional platforms that can provide value in many areas of the business (such as compliance, CSR and social engagement, supply chain efficiency and tracing, and commodity trading). A recent example is the creation of a consortium involving Shell, BP, and Statoil who are working on the development of a blockchain-based energy commodity trading platform, along with three large commodity traders. The common thread found in most emerging blockchain based solutions is increased efficiency between boundaries of trust- either through disintermediation of 3rd parties or by enabling the digitization of cross organizational processes.

(including but not limited to):including nature-based sequestration solutions, carbon mineralization/encapsulation, and use applications such as building materials, etc.

(including but not limited to): Numerous methods exist for the destruction of free/WAD cyanide complexes (e.g. Caro’s Acid, hydrogen peroxide, CuSO4-SO2, SART) from spent process solutions prior to discharge into a tailing storage facility. Looking for novel equipment design, chemical additions, resins, etc. that result in lower overall cost-of-operation (from consumables, manpower, maintenance, regenerated cyanide for reuse in the operation) and/or improved safety for operating and maintenance personnel.

(including but not limited to): Alternatives to diesel, phased implementation, improvement in worker health and safety, less maintenance. Hydrogen energy storage -> need small amounts of platinum. Move to renewable power, reduced infrastructure, needs of ventilation shafts.

(including but not limited to): More efficient comminution and recovery processes; more energy efficient and responsive drives and motors; efficient and clean generators; more efficient hybrid fuel (diesel and natural gas) engines that coordinate operations to provide power and response. Technologies that can economically convert waste heat sources (reciprocating engine exhaust heat and jacket water heat) into electricity at smaller scales (e.g. 20kW to 250kW). High efficiency engine technologies could include smaller scale natural gas fueled micro-turbine engines (<500kW). Small sale APUs on heavy equipment to eliminate idle during down time; ventilation on demand (VOD).

(including but not limited to): Focused on underground dust management using low energy, waterless, dust management and removal.

(including but not limited to): Mine characterization, re-envision talent management. Create engaging interactions and stronger business outcomes.