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- Sprache: Englisch
Tried-and-tested approach for transforming economies that are based on natural resource extraction to create long-term prosperity
Designing Sustainable Prosperity (DSP) is a step by step blueprint for transforming economies from being dependent on short term natural resource extraction into long-term sustainable prosperity. The outcome is the creation of sustainable, circular economies that prioritise waste reduction and use recycling and renewable resources to actively implement climate change solutions. A key feature of the process is collaboration between local people, investors, appropriate experts, government and academics.
The DSP method outlines seven steps in creating a plan for long-term sustainable regional development, illustrated by several case studies from North and South America which identified potential economic transformations.
Designing Sustainable Prosperity explores topics such as:
- How to determine if and when a region is ready for DSP by analyzing factors such as climate, geology, natural resources and human potential
- Case studies highlighting different aspects of the DSP approach, and how to achieve true prosperity which is beyond short-term financial performance
- “Hard” resources and industries that can fuel a circular economy, such as metals/mining, water/ energy, value added food products and other innovative enterprises
- “Soft” enabling factors such as workforce availability, educational systems, and socio-economic conditions and how to develop these factors in line with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UNSDGs)
DSP shows how to align economic goals with all the UNSDGs. Designing Sustainable Prosperity is an essential and timely resource for professionals and organizations aiming to develop regions sustainably.
“Not only a great collection of ideas and references but also a great story in terms of how it brings the pieces together and guides how we can each make a difference.”
—Mark Cutifani, Chairman Vale Base Metals, Former CEO at Anglo American plc
“Recommended for corporations, politicians and regulators to understand the sequencing necessary to access the energy transition metals and realize 2050 aspirations in a sustainable manner.”
—Robert Quartermain, DSc, Canadian Mining Hall of Fame Inductee, Co-Chair Dakota Gold Corp, Former Executive Chairman Pretium Resources Inc
“Presents an optimistic, “bottom up” collaboration recipe that leavens outside expertise with community-based history, capabilities, and ambition to move in new directions.”
—David J. Hayes, Professor at Stanford University, former senior White House climate advisor for President Biden and the Deputy Secretary and Chief Operating Officer of the U.S. Department of the Interior for Presidents Obama and Clinton
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Veröffentlichungsjahr: 2024
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Table of Contents
Cover
Table of Contents
Title Page
Copyright Page
Dedication Page
List of Contributors
Preface: My Journey into Sustainability
Endorsements
1 Executive Summary
High Level Case Studies
Reference
2 Introduction
References
3 Metals – A Key to the Future
Reimagining Mining
Metal Production and Applications
References
4 Sustainability – Climate Change and Environment
Climate Change
Environment
References
5 Prosperity Beyond Financial Performance
What is Prosperity?
What Happens After the Extractive Industry?
Why UN SDGs for Sustainable Development?
Why is DSP Aligned with the UN SDGs?
How Does DSP Relate to the UN SDGs?
But, What About Financial Performance? How Does DSP Impact Return on Investment?
References
6 Nature’s Hidden Gifts – Envisaging the Unseen Beneath Our Feet
What is Geology?
A Shaping Force
Seeing the Unseen
How Does Seeing the Unseen Deep Geology Help with DSP?
Mineral Diversity
Energy Diversity
Helium
Storage
Groundwater in the Water Cycle
New Ways of Metal Mining
Knowing the Unknown – An Aid for Infrastructure Planning
Final Words
References
7 The Method – Designing Sustainable Prosperity
Introduction
Planning Process
Implementation
References
8 Case Studies
Introduction
Solar Powered Southern Peru Economy
Caring for Country – From Dust to Wonder: Uncovering Hidden Potential
Northern Ontario’s ‘Ring of Fire’ – A Nature Positive Solution
Northwest British Columbia – Low Carbon Solutions Hub
Quebec Region, Canada – An Integrated Green Energy System
Peru’s Sechura Desert, Peru – A Circular Industrial Cluster
References
9 Education, the Lighting of a Fire
Early Schooling
Fundamentals
Encouraging Curiosity
Connecting with Nature
Retraining and Upskilling
References
10 Future Society
Is a Utopia Possible?
Highlighting the Past
References
Embracing Change: A Call to Action
Reference
Index
End User License Agreement
List of Tables
Chapter 5
Table 5.1 How DSP addresses the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal...
Chapter 7
Table 7.1 Summary of the planning process.
List of Illustrations
Chapter 1
Figure 1.1 Regional Risks.
Figure 1.2 DSP Mitigates those Risks.
Figure 1.3 Designing Sustainable Prosperity (DSP).
Figure 1.4 The seven steps.
Chapter 3
Figure 3.1 Metals are key to sustainable energy production; for example, win...
Figure 3.2 DSP implementation throughout the stages of a mining project.
Figure 3.3 Metals play a big role in our transition to sustainable electric ...
Chapter 4
Figure 4.1 The Blue Marble, an image of Earth taken from space by the Apollo...
Figure 4.2 The planetary boundaries concept, which presents nine processes t...
Chapter 5
Figure 5.1 DSP is aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Go...
Figure 5.2 Assessment of three copper‐producing regions’ performance against...
Chapter 6
Figure 6.1 AI‐generated image using the request ‘Can you generate a realisti...
Figure 6.2 Different views of the Geology of Australia surface geology (a), ...
Figure 6.3 Drilling for mineral exploration in outback Australia. Note that ...
Figure 6.4 Conceptual diagram of a salt diapir suitable for development for ...
Figure 6.5 Prediction of regions of water stress in 2040.
Figure 6.6 The water cycle illustrated and showing the coupling of the flow ...
Chapter 7
Figure 7.1 Designing Sustainable Prosperity (DSP).
Figure 7.2 The outcome of DSP.
Figure 7.3 The water cycle is the continuous and integrated movement of wate...
Figure 7.4 Socio‐economic data for the region.
Figure 7.5 The seven steps of Designing Sustainable Prosperity.
Figure 7.6 Layering of information to discover hidden potential in a region ...
Figure 7.7 Phased approach roadmap for the future.
Chapter 8
Figure 8.1 Location of Colorado.
Figure 8.2 Change in employment for Colorado between 1991 and 2018.
Figure 8.3 Peru’s southern region and indicative solar irradiance, where red...
Figure 8.4 Peru’s export map in 2021.
Figure 8.5 Global mean solar irradiance.
Figure 8.6 Concentrating Solar Power technology for desalination of seawater...
Figure 8.7 Green Peru South.
Figure 8.8 Possible path towards Peru’s Solar‐Powered Economy of the future....
Figure 8.9 A typical ‘big sky’ landscape where the horizon seems to go forev...
Figure 8.10 An example of an Integrated Natural Resources Model for the Leon...
Figure 8.11 Northern Ontario’s Ring of Fire.
Figure 8.12 A healthy peatland.
Figure 8.13 ‘Ring of Fire’ – Prioritising nature positive carbon sink soluti...
Figure 8.14 Location of NWBC’s ‘Golden Triangle’.
Figure 8.15 Schematic of Lakelse Spring, British Columbia, illustrating inte...
Figure 8.16 Possible sustainably prosperous NWBC of the future based on coll...
Figure 8.17 Overview of Quebec region.
Figure 8.18 Possible Integrated Clean Energy Ecosystem of a Sustainable and ...
Figure 8.19 Possible path towards ‘Clean Energy Ecosystem’ for a sustainable...
Figure 8.20 Location of Sechura Desert in Peru and indicative solar irradian...
Chapter 9
Figure 9.1 Bees and school children.
Figure 9.2 School children working with Beau Lotto on the study of bees.
Figure 9.3 Imagine the intricate process of creating this scene.
Figure 9.4 A change from our current one‐way teaching method is essential fo...
Figure 9.5 Growing a sustainable future by nurturing renewable energy genera...
Figure 9.6 Adapting our past education model to support future sustainable p...
Chapter 10
Figure 10.1 Leonardo da Vinci’s ideal city.
Figure 10.2 The multiple elements of society interrelate and can build upon ...
Figure 10.3 Where we want to go.
Guide
Embracing Change: A Call to Action
Cover Page
Table of Contents
Title Page
Copyright Page
Dedication Page
List of Contributors
Preface: My Journey into Sustainability
Endorsements
Begin Reading
Index
WILEY END USER LICENSE AGREEMENT
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Designing Sustainable Prosperity
Natural Resource Management for Resilient Regions
Edited by
Doris Hiam‐Galvez
Hatch LtdDesigning Sustainable ProsperityVancouver, British ColumbiaCanada
Copyright © 2024 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc. All rights reserved, including rights for text and data mining and training of artificial technologies or similar technologies.
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To my husband John and my son Kamir, who have inspired me to think in terms of ecosystems and supported me every step of the way as I developed this new approach to sustainable development.
To Hatch, an environment of “entrepreneurs with a technical soul”, where the impossible becomes possible, which continuously pushed us towards creating positive change.
To John Bianchini and Joe Lombard, thank you for your trust. Your belief in the importance of creating a better world for generations to come has been both a guiding light and a source of motivation.
Special thanks to the hummingbird, whose visits brought me joy, energy, and resilience to bring this concept to life.
To all contributors: Allan Moss, whose deep knowledge of the industry has been indispensable; Richard Blewett for his geoscience expertise that has greatly enriched our work; and Lily So, whose passion for sustainability and unwavering commitment carried this book to fruition. To the younger contributors, whose enthusiasm inspired us all.
To my clients and colleagues, who are friends in this vast family of the industry. Your collective spirit and support have been invaluable.
I am immensely proud and deeply grateful to be part of this community, striving together towards a brighter world.
List of Contributors
Richard Blewett
GeoSystems Consulting, GeoscienceRoyalla, New South WalesAustralia
John Hiam
TechMat Consulting, Metallurgical Mechanical Engineering, ClimateVancouver, British ColumbiaCanada
Doris Hiam‐Galvez
Hatch Ltd, Designing Sustainable ProsperityVancouver, British ColumbiaCanada
Anthea Kong
Hatch Ltd, Industrial Clean TechnologiesMississauga, OntarioCanada
Brittany MacKinnon
Hatch Ltd, PyrometallurgyBrisbane, QueenslandAustralia
Allan Moss
Sonal Mining Technology Inc.Vancouver, British ColumbiaCanada
Lily Lai Chi So
Hatch Ltd, Innovation and InvestmentsMississauga, OntarioCanada
Matthew Tutty
Hatch Ltd, Climate ChangeMississauga, OntarioCanada
Jake Wyman
Hatch Ltd, Renewable Power and Electrical DistributionMississauga, OntarioCanada
Preface: My Journey into Sustainability
In a world where the future can often appear daunting and uncertain, I offer a message of hope and a clear path forward. We stand at a critical juncture during an energy transition that demands a surge in metal production. My belief is that we can meet this rising demand while upholding principles of sustainability.
With three decades of experience, I have had the privilege of reshaping corporate organisations, driving innovation and expanding businesses across four continents. My journey has been driven by a commitment to reshape our relationship with the planet.
Today, I present a vision: the transformation of the metals industry into a driving force for a global positive change. Consider the extractive industry not merely as a source of materials but as a potent catalyst with the potential to nurture resilient, thriving regions that benefit our environment and communities alike.
Now, more than ever, this industry has the potential to lead a transformative shift towards sustainability. It extends beyond resource extraction: it is about redefining our role as stewards of the Earth, becoming an integral and harmonious part of the interconnected ecosystem.
Within the pages of this book, I introduce an alternative approach, a path that requires a fresh perspective on how we perceive our connection to the world. It demands a shift towards systems thinking, and within these chapters, I offer a structured multidisciplinary approach that dares to question existing assumptions. This new approach sets the stage to create the conditions for an emergency of sustainability. It is time to liberate ourselves from established and outdated paradigms and embrace innovation. This innovation seeks to balance economic expansion with environmental stewardship.
As we embark on this transformative journey, let us tap into our collective creativity, envisage a brighter future and redefine our legacy. This book serves as a call to action for the industry to become a cornerstone in the global sustainability movement. Let us not merely dream of a better tomorrow; let us take concrete steps to make it a reality. Together, we have the power to shape a future where our industry not only supplies resources but also shines as a beacon of sustainable practices, environmental stewardship and healthy and prosperous communities. Together, we can turn challenges into opportunities, forging a prosperous, sustainable world for generations to come.
Endorsements
As a perennial advocate and speaker for the Minerals Industry and its role in society, I have long spoken on how our industry makes life possible on our planet. In that same context, I have had the great privilege to view Designing Sustainable Prosperity as working draft. And what a treat that opportunity has turned out to be. Doris and her collaborators have brought together a broad and deep menagerie of facts, models and case studies demonstrating the role and future potential the minerals industry has in terms of making a world a better place. And at the same time, they have helped describe how all the pieces fit together in a simple and practical way. Not only is her work a great collection of ideas and references, but also a great story in terms of how it brings the pieces together and guides how we can each make a difference.
As the leader at Anglo American, we brought together 100,000 people in a conversation to define our Purpose, to ‘Re‐imagine mining to improve people’s lives’. In Designing Sustainable Prosperity, Doris and her team are imagining what real change looks like and how it can be delivered.
Mark Cutifani, Chairman Vale Base Metals, Former CEO at Anglo American plc.
The world’s population of 8 billion inhabitants requires the resource industry, not only to supply its material needs, but also to be part of the disciplined solution in improving the environmental condition of the planet. This requires a shift in how resource extraction is undertaken, to ensure there are sympathetic sustainable local outcomes. The mining industry is a guest in the areas where it works, and the local social, regulatory and political frameworks need to support and encourage timely and efficient mineral extraction, if we as a society are to meet legislated aspirations for 2050 and beyond.
With her extensive industry perspective, Doris Hiam‐Galvez has set out a roadmap to achieve resource demand through Designing Sustainable Prosperity. Her book is evidenced‐based and recommended for Corporations, Politicians and Regulators to understand the sequencing necessary to access the energy transition metals and realise 2050 aspirations in a sustainable manner.
Robert Quartermain, DSc, Canadian Mining Hall of Fame Inductee 2022, Co‐Chair Dakota Gold Corp, Former Executive Chairman Pretium Resources Inc.
In her timely new book, Doris Hiam‐Galvez challenges communities that are dependent on traditional mining and other extractive industries to adopt a ‘Designing Sustainable Prosperity’ planning approach that can produce vibrant and diversified local economies. Hiam‐Galvez makes a richly illustrated pitch for communities to imagine and embrace a future in which their historical, single‐dimensional industries leverage tech and other advances to set them up for durable, long‐term success – while simultaneously attracting new, sustainable businesses into their region.
Communities around the world increasingly know that climate change and related water, biodiversity and land use impacts require new ways of thinking about – and prospering in – a more durable and sustainable future. This book offers a must‐read road map for these communities. It presents an optimistic, ‘bottom up’” collaboration recipe that leavens outside expertise with community‐based history, capabilities and ambition to move in new directions and create reimagined local economies that are strong, sustainable and well prepared for the long haul.
David J. Hayes, Professor at Stanford University, formerly a senior White House climate advisor for President Biden and the Deputy Secretary and Chief Operating Officer of the U.S. Department of the Interior for Presidents Obama and Clinton.
A dichotomy exists between the growing need for minerals to sustain modern society and facilitate global decarbonisation on the one hand, and the negative perception of the mining industry on the other. DSP applies a systems approach to unlocking the long‐term potential of resource‐rich regions by integrating mining operations with regional economic development, environmental sustainability and community well‐being. It acknowledges the finite life of mining projects and proposes a practical methodology to seek holistic solutions to ensure the ultimate diversification and growth of the regional economy well beyond the closure of the mine.
This book describes a thought‐provoking pathway by which mining can become a catalyst for the collective sustainable good through the integration of the social, economic, technical and environmental dimensions that connect a mine to its host region.
John MacKenzie, CEO and Founder of Capstone Copper.
Communities often underappreciate the potential for resource projects to be a force for good. More often, new project proposals are met with the language of fear and opposition. A different mindset using our collective creativity would instead see such opportunities as a potential catalyst for achieving a larger and more sustainable future. By reshaping our relationships, the language could be one of hope and vision.
Designing Sustainable Prosperity is a must‐read for those visionary community and regional leaders that want to leave a positive legacy for their future generations.
David Harquail, Chair of the Board of Directors at Franco‐Nevada, Board Director at the Bank of Montreal.
The linked climate and biodiversity crises are challenging natural resource communities. We need to protect and restore biodiversity, support local development, extract minerals for the energy transition, and deploy wind, solar, pipelines and transmission infrastructure. Without new strategies and tools, communities and our environment will suffer. Designing Sustainable Prosperity offers an innovation at the right time. Hiam‐Galvez starts with the right question – what does prosperity look like for this region and this community. This new way of thinking is underpinned by an engineer’s attention to planning and detail. It is a must‐read for those that care about development of our natural resources, from town halls and Tribal councils to mining company boardrooms.
Stephen D’Esposito, President and CEO at Regeneration and Resolve.
Doris has written a most thoughtful book that is most valuable to the well‐being of communities in mitigating the impacts of development on their lives. This is a particularly invaluable resource for the Indigenous communities of the world who are often the nearest neighbours to major natural resource development projects. All Indigenous leaders committed to sustainable development should read this book. It details a practical method for balancing development with environmental protection and enhancing quality of life.
Calvin Helin, Bestselling Author, Entrepreneur, Speaker, Indigenous Leader.
Today, the world is being challenged as never before to find a way forward that is positive for people and ecosystems, over the short term and long, and using processes that fairly distribute the benefits, costs, risks, responsibilities and accountabilities. It is only by doing so that today’s generations will not undermine the ability of future generations to meet their needs. In a nutshell, this is the essence of practical implementation of sustainability concepts. Designing Sustainable Prosperity takes up the challenge of practical application of sustainability concepts in a constructive and thought‐provoking way. This book is essential reading for those who wish to address this tough challenge head‐on.
Designing Sustainable Prosperity addresses the sustainability challenge in a constructive and thought‐provoking way. It is essential reading for those wishing to address this tough challenge.
R. Anthony Hodge, Ph.D., P.Eng., Adjunct Professor, Queen’s University (Canada) and University of Queensland (Australia), President, International Council on Mining and Metals, 2008‐2015.
This book is essential for our time. We have been living OFF the land for far too long. Now, we need to live WITH the land. The primary change we need to make is perceptual. We need to understand more deeply that we are not outside observers of Nature, but literally extensions of Nature. How Nature goes, so do we. Understanding this relationship is essential for transformation. Also essential is to translate this understanding into action. And this is where Doris succeeds with a clear outline of how communities can collaborate with business to create a sustainable future for both!
Beau Lotto, Professor of Neuroscience, Author, Founder and CEO of several start‐ups.
As the energy transition is accelerating, the world is moving from fossil fuels to metals as one of its primary resources. A new approach is needed however to ensure that the extractive mindset is accompanied by stewardship of the Earth and our own environment. This book provides a unique and comprehensive framework to balance mankind’s resource needs with environmental stewardship, by design. Doris Hiam‐Galvez proposes to deliberately and systematically Design Sustainable Prosperity (DSP) based on understanding regional, societal, economic, environmental and core values. The book encourages systems thinking to break the current piece‐meal approaches by leveraging a society’s creativity to create sustainable regions. A step‐wise process calls for key parties to sit around the table and follow such deliberate design in a staged process, laid out eloquently in 10 chapters backed up by real‐world examples. The writer comes with 30 years of experience in the extractive industry, and her passion for doing it different clearly shines through the pages of a book that is a must‐read for countries’ leadership, or anyone with a drive to make the twenty‐first century a better one.
Jef Caers, Founder Mineral‐X, Stanford University.
Doris Hiam‐Galvez and her co‐authors have tackled a problem that has been the curse of mining for decades, if not centuries, the ability to generate lasting value in a region that hosts a mine. Designing Sustainable Prosperity (DSP) is a novel, organised and systems‐based approach that provides a template for seeking sustainable economic activity from mining that continues after the mine has closed. The basis for this approach starts with our understanding of the earth, the three‐dimensional geoscientific data that explains where concentrations of metals occur and how the metals can be recovered responsibly with minimum impact on the environment. This fundamental connection to the earth is rarely evaluated comprehensively when considering long‐term sustainability. As is well recognised, resource development requires extensive consultation with communities, experts and numerous stakeholders and this book explains how this can be done at various stages throughout the process. The book provides a new approach that deserves serious consideration, and at the very least, it should increase efforts to determine how mining can contribute more completely and effectively to regional prosperity.
John Thompson, CIO at Regeneration, Board Director at KoBold and MineSense, Honorary Professor at the University of Bristol, Adjunct Professor at the University of British Columbia and Cornell University.
Redesigning societies, leveraging and valuing all resources, is the challenge of the day: more than a hopeful vision, DSP charts a viable, evidence‐based path to realise this opportunity. A must‐read for mining and minerals leaders, policy‐shapers and stakeholders who want to play a role in reshaping linkages between a complex industry and its environment and invite others to join them on the journey of collaborative design. From rethinking education as the spark igniting the fire of change, to demonstrating the value unlocked by DSP for people and their natural environment through several high‐level case studies, Doris Hiam‐Galvez and her co‐authors offer insights and inspiration, connect the dots across disciplines and expectations, challenge the status quo and energise us to reach new heights.
Ludivine Wouters, Managing Partner, Latitude Five.
1Executive Summary
Doris Hiam‐Galvez
Hatch Ltd, Designing Sustainable Prosperity, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
Sustainability is the responsible use of resources, including preserving the environment, to meet current needs without compromising the needs of future generations. Designing Sustainable Prosperity (DSP) introduces a systems thinking approach to unlock resource rich regions while placing sustainability and community integration at its core. It seeks to balance economic development, environmental sustainability and community wellbeing, thereby fostering the emergence of resilient and thriving regions. It harnesses the extractive industry as a catalyst for lasting prosperity.
The risks facing resource rich regions include climate change, reliance on a commodity economy and a shortage of skilled labor, as illustrated in Figure 1.1. DSP tackles these challenges with a holistic approach, unlocking untapped potential for system wide solutions that address climate change. It pioneers innovative solutions to diversify and scale the economy, positioning the region as leaders in the knowledge economy. Once the focus is identified, the education system is adapted to provide skills needed for sustainable prosperity, as illustrated in Figure 1.2.
Figure 1.1 Regional Risks.
Figure 1.2 DSP Mitigates those Risks.
DSP fosters long‐term regional prosperity by promoting sustainable economic diversification and treating regions as interconnected ecosystems. As shown in Figure 1.3, regional economic activity is plotted on the vertical axis and time on the horizontal axis. The red curve represents the economic vulnerability of these resource rich regions. It shows an increase in economic activity during operations followed by a decline as resources are depleted. The yellow curve illustrates how support industries, follow a similar trend. The preferred outcome is shown by the green curve, to sustain a stable liveable level of economic activity that extends beyond the life of extractive operations. This represents a big shift from short‐term to long‐term thinking.
Figure 1.3 Designing Sustainable Prosperity (DSP).
Source: Adapted from Hiam‐Galvez, Prescott, & Hiam (2020).
The DSP process comprises three key planning phases:
Building the Design Inputs: Unlocking the hidden potential of natural resources and human talent.
Designing System Solutions: Key parties collaborate in a seven‐step process (see
Figure 1.4
).
Preparing for Implementation: Creating an environment for effective and purposeful execution.
Figure 1.4 The seven steps.
The outcomes are investment packages, business cases for key enterprises and strategic roadmaps.
DSP is a facilitated process designed to unlock the full potential of both human and natural resources to co‐create solutions for the region. Figure 1.4 depicts the seven steps of DSP, emphasizing the gradual expansion of possible opportunities and actionable steps towards sustainable prosperity. The first two steps focus on preparing and empowering the team so that they are open to collaborate and ready to embark on this journey. When the team is prepared, they move into the planning phase (steps 3 to 6). The final step focuses on implementation readiness and establishing the environment for sustained action and progress.
United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDGs) indicators are used to establish a baseline assessment of the region’s economic, environmental, and social conditions. During the design phase, business cases are strategically prioritized based on these indicators, evaluating their potential regional impact and alignment with global development goals. After implementation, these indicators continue to serve as a critical tool, measuring success and monitoring progress towards achieving a sustainable and equitable future for the region.
High Level Case Studies
Southern Peru
In Southern Peru, DSP harnesses the region’s abundant solar potential, showcasing how the region’s expertise in complex processing for copper production can be adapted to future sustainable industries. With current capabilities, the region can seize the opportunity to lead in sustainable energy solutions, not just by acquiring technologies, but by showcasing its ability to adapt and evolve complex technologies. Their opportunity lies in advancing direct solar seawater desalination technology by concentrated solar power (CSP): a complex thermal process. This approach addresses water scarcity, promotes precision agriculture and encourages the development of value added food products.
Ring of Fire
In Canada’s Northern Ontario Ring of Fire, a crucial ecosystem thrives above mineral deposits. This development opportunity centres on the preservation and well‐being of the wetland ecosystem. The region holds the potential to establish itself as a leading hub for peatland regeneration and carbon capture expertise, a transformation catalysed by responsible resource extraction and guided by Indigenous knowledge. Collaborative partnerships with research centres further enable the delicate balance between ecological preservation and sustainable socio‐economic development, firmly rooted in peatland regeneration.
Quebec
Quebec, Canada, is a hub for hydropower energy, and faces energy scarcity as it works towards its decarbonisation goals by 2050. DSP focuses on establishing a stable grid supply, integrating various green energy sources including hydropower, wind, solar and hydrogen. The expertise in managing energy demand and the supply of a complex green energy ecosystem through the seasons via innovative digital solutions provides a basis for a knowledge industry. Decarbonisation goals can be met while diversifying the economy.
Northwest British Columbia
In Northwest British Columbia (NWBC), Canada, DSP proposed a plan to accelerate mining development while protecting the environment and respecting Indigenous cultures in the region. The process involves leveraging NWBC’s abundant natural resources supported by good infrastructure. The initiative focuses on a collaborative mining economy emphasising shared resources and remote operation of mines. This region, with its robust hydropower supply, is uniquely positioned to evolve into a low carbon solutions hub. By integrating its strength in hydropower with innovative approaches in remote sensing, the region could set a benchmark in environmentally sustainable practices.
Reference
Hiam‐Galvez, D., Prescott, F., & Hiam, J. (2020). Designing Sustainable Prosperity “DSP”: A collaborative effort to build resilience in mining producing regions.
CIM Journal
, 11(1):69–79.
