The Emerging Science of Finding Critical Metals | Mfikeyi Makayi | TED

Overview

Mfikeyi Makayi, a mining innovator, explores the critical role of mining in building a sustainable future, emphasizing the need for advanced technologies to locate and extract essential minerals. She introduces AI-powered solutions to revolutionize the mining industry, making it more efficient, environmentally friendly, and capable of meeting the growing demand for critical metals.

Notable Quotes

- Everything we build and use was either grown or mined. From the walls to the windows, the tables and the chairs, your phones, your computers, the stage, my copper earrings and maybe your jewelry. - Mfikeyi Makayi, on the omnipresence of mined materials in our lives.

- We don't lack ore body deposits. We lack information of where they lie. - Mfikeyi Makayi, challenging the notion that critical minerals are running out.

- Better predictions don't just mean profitability. It means a safer mine, an environmentally sustainable mine, and a resilient mine to support local communities. - Mfikeyi Makayi, on the broader impact of AI-driven mining technologies.

🌍 The Role of Mining in a Circular Economy

- Mining is essential for building a circular economy, as everything we use is either grown or mined.

- Transitioning to a sustainable future requires electrification, which depends on critical metals like lithium, copper, cobalt, and nickel.

- To meet future demand, over 400 new mines must be built by 2040, with a focus on recyclable raw materials.

🔍 Challenges in Mineral Exploration

- The mining industry has seen a decline in ore body discoveries over the past 30 years due to underinvestment in exploration and research.

- Unlike industries like pharmaceuticals and technology, mining spends less than a penny on exploration for every dollar returned to shareholders.

- The misconception that critical minerals are running out stems from a lack of information about their locations, not their actual scarcity.

🤖 AI-Powered Predictions for Mining

- Makayi and her team at KoBold are developing machine learning technologies to predict the location and properties of ore deposits with unprecedented accuracy.

- AI enables the simulation of thousands of possibilities for ore body arrangements, addressing the industry's tendency to rely on single, often suboptimal models.

- By rigorously quantifying uncertainties, AI helps maximize the efficiency of exploration and reduces unnecessary mining.

🏗️ Designing the Mine of the Future

- KoBold's mine-design optimization tool evaluates multiple mine designs against various ore body geometries to make better decisions about ore extraction, waste management, and infrastructure placement.

- This approach minimizes environmental impact, maximizes resource utilization, and ensures safer and more resilient mining operations.

- The Mingomba project in Zambia exemplifies this vision, combining global expertise and local talent to create a sustainable and efficient mining model.

🌱 Mining for Sustainability

- Advanced mining technologies can lead to environmentally sustainable practices, reducing waste and minimizing ecological damage.

- Responsible mining is crucial to support the growing demand for critical metals driven by advancements in technology and lifestyle.

- Makayi emphasizes the importance of transforming the mining industry to align with the needs of a sustainable future.