Missions of Mineral Resources Research Group
Importance of mineral resources research
The species and consumption of minerals/elements required by modern industries have been rapidly changing from year to year due to economic change and technical innovation. In the case of critical metals, this tendency is more evident by their various species and small consumption. However, the time commonly needed for the processing of mine development is more than ten years and it will be too late to start mineral exploration and research when inadequate supply of a specific mineral/element occurred. Therefore, research on mineral resources should be conducted constantly by public institutes such as AIST and universities.
Research on the origin of mineral deposits
Research on the origin of mineral deposits should be conducted to promote effective mineral exploration and mine development. Mineral deposits can be classified into various types by their origin. For example, the vein-type mineral deposits occur as hydrothermal veins along fractures and fissures while the sedimentary mineral deposits occur along beds and strata. We can understand the extension directions and the subsurface shape of ore bodies based on the type of mineral deposits. We have been conducting this research by combining geology, mineralogy, geochemistry and geochronology of mineral deposits.
Research on the evaluation of mineral deposits
To have stable supplies of mineral resources for domestic industries, the mining sectors need to explore promising mineral deposits by themselves or they have to obtain mining rights from other mining sectors. Moreover, the investors must know the ore reserves, ore grades and mining environment of the target mineral deposits before investing in mining. In this research, we investigate the feasibility of mining and mineral processing, the concentration and existing forms of toxic elements, and the environment around mineral deposits.
Research on analytical technique and mineral processing of ores
The technique to determine the ore grades and ore minerals is essential for all the researches in our group. The techniques for rapid and safe analyses are also important. The extraction and separation of valuable minerals from ores are called gmineral processingh. The feasibility of effective mineral processing often becomes the key to a successful mining development. Mineral Resources Research Group has been conducting these researches using state-of-the-art equipment.
Dissemination of research results and public relations
Our group has been actively conducting the dissemination of research results to industries, universities and JICA trainees. We have also been implementing public relations through academic societies, AIST techno-bridge and the annual report of Research Institute for Geo-Resources and Environment.