Development Minerals workshop in the Pacific

‘Development Minerals’ encompass minerals and materials that are mined, processed, manufactured and used domestically in industries such as construction, manufacturing, infrastructure and agriculture. Eight of the top ten produced mineral commodities in the world are Development Minerals, which total 84% of global mineral production. These minerals, despite having relatively lower value in global commodity markets, hold significant domestic value. Their value lies in empowering local economic development and fostering broader national progress.

Compared to the metals sector, Development Minerals have stronger ties to the local economy, fostering more job opportunities and thereby can have a greater impact on poverty reduction. This is partly due to the prevalence of small and medium-scale domestic businesses in this sector.

However, there is currently a limited focus on Development Minerals in undergraduate or postgraduate education and research programmes. Yet, opportunities for geoscientists in this field are extensive, offering the potential for substantial sustainable development impact. This project aims to engage tertiary and postgraduate students in work-integrated learning and action research. By engaging early career scientists, it seeks to advance knowledge, facilitate its transfer, and promote collaboration among academic institutions, government bodies and the private sector.