News | Minerals to Metals Initiative

Duke University, UCT make tangible investment recommendations ahead of lithium, rare earths boom

The most credible research and development opportunities for lithium and rare earth processing were mapped by a team comprising academics from Minerals to Metals Initiative and Duke University.

Beneath the Bottleneck: An R&D and Technology Readiness Review of Lithium and Rare Earth Processing

This report maps the production baseline and active R&D across the lithium and rare earth value chains (four processing routes in total)and assigns technology readiness levels (TRLs)1 to each technology.

Sulfur shortage due to tensions in the Middle East can be relieved by recovering coal waste

With the oil trade under pressure, the global sulfuric acid industry is also under pressure. To alleviate economic impacts, sulfur produced from coal waste can be used to replace oil-derived sulfur in sulfuric acid production.

Duke University, UCT make tangible investment recommendations ahead of lithium, rare earths boom

The most credible research and development opportunities for lithium and rare earth processing were mapped by a team comprising academics from Minerals to Metals Initiative and Duke University.

Beneath the Bottleneck: An R&D and Technology Readiness Review of Lithium and Rare Earth Processing

Sulfur shortage due to tensions in the Middle East can be relieved by recovering coal waste

South Africa is moving away from coal – how mines and power stations could be used for green energy and farming

When coal is phased out and green energy phased in, coal assets can either be abandoned or turned into something that is useful for communities.

South Africa’s coal mines are leaking methane – and no one knows how much

Methane is a potent greenhouse gas that is released from a variety of natural and anthropogenic sources, including coal mining. In South Africa, we don't know how much methane is released in coal mining operations.

A Climate Blindspot? Coal Mine Methane in South Africa

The findings of this report reveal critical data gaps and institutional challenges, also highlight pathways for South Africa to align its energy reliance with global climate goals while strengthening national resilience.

A heap of old keyboards in black and white

E-Waste plastics in South Africa

Despite their relatively small volume, Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment Plastics pose significant environmental and health risks due to their complex composition and potentially hazardous additives.

Developing mine closure risk ratings and a post-closure opportunity framework for South Africa

The overarching aim of this project was to produce national mine closure risk and opportunity maps and classifications to inform and support mine closure planning and policy in South Africa.

Repurposing pyrite from coal waste

This study aims to provide a proof of concept to demonstrate the feasibility to concentrate pyrite contained in South African coal wastes and recover iron-based coagulants.

Coal divestment – where does the environmental buck stop when the bucks stop rolling in?

In the case of divesting coal mining there are two problems: firstly, divestment of coal mines does not mean that coal stops being mined and burnt; secondly, the environmental impacts of coal mining will continue unless remediated.

Picture showing beakers for producing nano-iron against a backdrop of acid rock drainage

Integrating Nano Iron Production into the Acid Mine Drainage Neutralisation Treatment Process

Zero-valent iron in the nanoparticle size range (<100 nm), also known as zero-valent nano iron is a potentially valuable iron-product that could be recovered from iron rich AMD. It is this opportunity that this study set out to explore.

Two Rivers platinum mine near the town of Steelpoort in the province of Mpumalanga, South Africa

Mining for the future

How can the mining industry continue to provide the materials that are essential to our lives while also becoming more people- and planet-centred? The Minerals to Metals Initiative at the University of Cape Town (UCT) aims to answer this question th