Technology for a sustainable Canadian metals extraction industry

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There exists poor quantitative linkage between the science of technical-cost, physical and mathematical modeling and of life-cycle-analysis in the field of metals and materials processing. Nowadays, there is increasing emphasis on the drivers of climate change, notably energy consumption and concomitant greenhouse gas emissions. The metals resource industry, one of the largest consumers of energy and historically primarily driven by economics alone, needs to develop quantitative linkages between process performance and sustainability metrics.  In other words, the metals and materials processing industries need to closely examine and extend the analysis of their industrial ecology. By developing the mathematical relationships (linkages) that are proposed here, predictive sustainability impact models can be developed based on technical-cost, physical and mathematical models.  The resulting sustainability models may then be used to optimize existing technology not only from an economic point of view, but also from an environmental and social impact point of view.  Such sustainability models may also assist in identifying new materials processing opportunities by identifying possibilities that would be otherwise overlooked by business. To develop these quantitative linkages, it is necessary to exploit the tools of applied mathematics, in particular, the methods of discrete event dynamics and matrix factorization, coupled with sociological and economic models.  The resulting computational methodologies are intended to be applied to metals and materials processing operations and technologies. Laboratory experimental studies will be required to acquire data to refine the relationships and to test and validate the resulting models.  This cross-cognate approach will start from the applicant's current specialization in non-ferrous pyrometallurgy and then extend to novel applications such as advanced materials processing. Upon graduation and employment, students studying in this area will be able to contribute to improving Canada's economic, environmental and social sustainability by being able to chart optimum courses forward for their employers.