Jointly housed in the university's college of engineering and the college of science, with involvement from the Lowell Institute for mineral resources, the school aims to break down disciplinary silos to educate the next generation of mining engineers and mineral resource professionals. It will offer undergraduate, graduate and professional training in areas including data science, business, social sciences, public health and law.
The University of Arizona stated that the school could make the university "the premier institution devoted to mineral resources and reshaping mining for the 21st century". It noted that as the global population works to reduce carbon emissions, the need for mined resources such as copper is increasing, with the World Bank estimating demand for copper could grow 200% by 2050. Arizona, which produces 74% of copper in the US and is the sixth-largest copper producer in the world, could play a key role in ushering in a more sustainable future, and a well-prepared workforce is critical to making that happen.
Moe Momayez, interim department head and David and Edith Lowell chair in the department of mining and geological engineering at the University of Arizona, said: "For the first time in the history of mining anywhere in the world, our new school will rely on a holistic approach to mineral resource management. The department of mining and geological engineering will play a key role in this effort, just as it has been at the forefront of the field for the past 135 years, and will continue to educate the next generations of mining engineers from every corner of the globe."
The new school's offerings will include an interdisciplinary minor, as well as undergraduate and graduate certificates in areas such as ‘safety and health' and ‘analytics, AI and automation'.
David W. Hahn, Craig M. Berge dean of the college of engineering at the University of Arizona, said: "I always like to tell people that if you want to make a big difference in this world, engineering is the place to do it. And mining is one of the areas in which the creative problem-solving abilities and technical expertise of engineers is becoming increasingly important. By partnering with other campus units and seeking input from industry, we are building a school in which our students will be building the future."
A nationwide search for the school's director, who will report to the deans of the college of engineering and college of science, is expected soon. The school will offer introductory and interdisciplinary courses that complement existing curriculum in the two colleges and include coursework requested by industry and government agencies.
The school will serve more than just students majoring in related fields. For example, one new introductory course geared to students across campus - 67% of whom say they know little to nothing about mining - will contextualise the need for mineral resources and the technical, social, economic and environmental issues surrounding their acquisition, use and reuse. The course will explore the impact of developments like digitisation and low-carbon technologies, as well as important issues like community and environmental health.
The school's leadership team is organising a technical advisory committee of representatives from industry, other universities, government agencies and nongovernmental organisations, as well as an advisory panel of students from science and engineering.
Carmala Garzione, dean of the College of Science at the University of Arizona, said: "We are excited about the cross-college collaboration. A number of departments in the college of science are working with the school to bring unique academic and career opportunities to our students. We expect that this new school will become a nexus of activities directed toward more sustainable acquisition of minerals that are critical to cleaner and more efficient energy practices."
The creation of the school is supported in large part by a US$2 million gift, plus a US$2.5 million challenge grant, from the Lundin family. The family leads the Lundin Group, which is made up of 14 publicly traded companies in the natural resource sector - including Lundin Mining, Lundin Gold, Filo Mining, Josemaria Resources, NGEx Minerals, Lucara Diamond, Denison Mines and Bluestone Resources.
Jack Lundin, president and CEO of Bluestone Resources, who is also a college of engineering alumnus and Lowell Institute board member, said: "This is a significant milestone for the natural resources industry. Now, more than ever, we need a university mining and mineral resources education programme that incorporates a focus on environmental, social and governance issues. The new school means the University of Arizona will be a pioneer in providing this approach, which is absolutely necessary for the future of mining."
Mary Poulton, co-director of the Lowell Institute, said: "The school of mining and mineral resources will provide a new approach to addressing all the challenges of global increases in the use of mineral resources. The University of Arizona is the best place to advance this approach because of its unique location and long history of interdisciplinarity."
Mark Barton, co-director of the Lowell Institute and professor of geology and geochemistry at the University of Arizona, echoed that both the time and place are right for the school. He said: "By catalysing the unique breadth and strengths across the University of Arizona, the new school can transform approaches to the sustainable use of earth materials. Working together with communities and partners, we can develop the people and innovative best practices required for the responsible production and sustained reuse of mineral resources."
In January 2020, the University of Arizona and Hexagon's Mining division launched Mining 4.E, an online course designed to broaden the understanding of modern mining and its associated technologies. In July 2020, the university signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the Colorado School of Mines and Colorado State University to develop a Tailings Center of Excellence.
In January this year, inventors from the University of Arizona's college of engineering launched the start-up Auxilium Technology Group to find ways to reduce mining's environmental footprint and increase its sustainability.
