Contribution of Minerals and Metals

Metals and minerals are essential to almost all aspects of life; they enable farming, healthcare, communications, water and energy supply, transport, space technology, and the construction of our cities.

And they will arguably become more important as they will help to deliver pathways for a greener, safer and more sustainable future.

In collaboration with academic researchers, we explore how metals and minerals are helping to tackle the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) through the application of proven and emerging technologies. Comprising 169 targets, and even more indicators, the SDGs seek to address a wide variety of interrelated development issues.

This research aims to enhance our understanding of the essential contribution that metals and minerals make to addressing critical development challenges. It uses a matrix approach to identify technology solutions spread across simple and complex; proven and emerging technologies; relevance in high, middle and low-income countries as well as urban and rural contexts.

Focus Areas

Affordable, Clean Energy

Everyone should have access to affordable, clean energy.

Clean Water and Sanitation

No one should be without clean water and sanitation.

Nutrition and Agriculture

In today’s world, no one should go hungry.

Good Health and Wellbeing

Ensuring good health and wellbeing is essential for sustainable development.

Industry and Innovation

Ensuring sustainable industrialisation, infrastructure and innovation.

Sustainable Communities

Ensuring sustainable, safer cities and inclusive communities.