WHAT’S ON RESEARCH

UCT, FRENCH JOINT INITIATIVE

UCT and the French Geological Survey public institution, BRGM, have joined up to promote research on three major themes – responsible mining, the circular economy, and the sustainable management of water resources.

UCT and BRGM signed their first memorandum of understanding during the Mining Indaba 2019 conference in Cape Town, with the Consul General of France in Cape Town, Laurent Amar, in attendance.

The agreement will promote scientific co-operation to contribute to research in mineral resources and environmental management.

Signed for an initial duration of five years, the agreement formalises a relationship based on the complementarity between UCT and the BRGM, for whom nearly 80% of their international activity is deployed in Africa.

Professor Sue Harrison, director for the Centre of Bioprocess Engineering Research at UCT, said: “The need to make a paradigm shift in mining and mineral processing practices is well recognised, with a growing focus on responsible mining.

“With this as a common interest of BRGM and UCT, and our complementary skills, growing our interaction and collaboration offers much value to both institutions and beyond.

“In particular, UCT will bring to play our interdisciplinary research in minerals beneficiation and valorisation, our focus on the importance of regional development to the benefit of the community and the interacting focus on water sensitive design,” Harrison said.