The Sustainable Minerals Institute Podcast
The Sustainable Minerals Institute Podcast comes from a world-leading research institute at The University of Queensland. It explores how people, technologies, and approaches can address global sustainability challenges through the responsible supply of mineral resources. The show is focused on research and innovation in sustainable mining and mineral resource development.
Episodes
Reflections on the founding of the Sustainable Minerals Institute: In conversation with Don McKee
SMI Director Professor Rick Valenta talks to founding SMI Director Don McKee about the early days of the Sustainable Minerals Institute, which officially began in April of 2001.
Resource Technology and Critical Minerals Trailblazer: In conversation with Leigh Staines
Conversation with Leigh Staines regarding the Resource Technology and Critical Minerals Trailblazer, June 14, 2026
World Environment Day 2026: Climate Change and the Mining Industry
World Environment Day 2026: Climate Change and the Mining Industry by UQ Sustainable Minerals Institute
Professor David Cliff: Reflections on a 36 year career in mining and the challenges ahead for the industry
Professor David Cliff is a legend in mining health and safety research at The University of Queensland's Sustainable Mineral Institute. To mark his retirement at the end of 2025, David sat down with his former Phd student and fellow Minerals Industry Safety and Health Centre (MISHC) researcher Dr Nikky LaBranche to talk about his reflections on a 36-year career in mining and the challenges ahead
The Mineral Governance Podcast. Episode 2: Preventing Tailings Facility Failures
The Mineral Governance Podcast. Episode 2: Preventing Tailings Facility Failures by UQ Sustainable Minerals Institute
The Mineral Governance Podcast. Episode 1: The UN Environment Assembly Resolution
The Mineral Governance Podcast. Episode 1: The UN Environment Assembly Resolution by UQ Sustainable Minerals Institute
SMI Podcast Episode 4: Total Deposit Knowledge
SMI's Professor Rick Valenta, Acting Director of the Production Centres, sits down with Associate Professor Paul Gow to discuss exploration geology, how it has evolved, what it's future looks like and what researchers can do it help.
This is the fourth episode of a podcast series that explores the key issues connected to mining's role in sustainability through interviews with thought-leaders at
SMI Podcast Episode 3: JKMRC's Separation Program (via Zoom)
Using the power of Zoom, SMI Deputy Director (Strategy) Professor Alice Clark discusses the Julius Kruttschnitt Mineral Research Centre's Separation Research Program with group leader Associate Professor Kym Runge.
The Separation Group aims to improve existing mineral separation or develop novel processes to achieve improved profitability, resource utilisation and minimise environmental impact in
SMI Podcast Episode 2: Ecological Engineering of Mine Wastes
SMI's Associate Professor Glen Corder, Leader of the Industrial Ecology & Circular Economy research group, speaks with Professor Longbin Huang about the origins, progress and future of technology that turns tailings into functional soil for the purposes of sustainable rehabilitation.
Professor Huang is a Professorial Research Fellow and Group Leader of Ecological Engineering of Mine Wastes at th
SMI Podcast Episode 1: CRC for Transformations in Mining Economies
SMI's Professor Daniel Franks, Leader of the Governance and Leadership Program, sits down with Professor Anna Littleboy to discuss the methodology, members and intended outcomes of the recently announced CRC for Transformations in Mining Economies (CRC-TiME).
This is the first episode of a new podcast series that will explore key issues connected to mining's role in sustainability through intervi
Conversations about mining and society: The Mine Life Cycle
Dr Anthony Hodge (Tony) unpacks some of the key challenges facing the mining industry.
Here he talks about sustainability, the metals supply conundrum, and more with Professor Anna Littleboy, leader of The Mine Life Cycle research program at The University of Queensland's Sustainable Mineral Institute.
Conversations about mining and society: Governance and Leadership
Dr Anthony Hodge (Tony) unpacks some of the key challenges facing the mining industry.
In this episode Tony speaks with Professor Daniel Franks, leader of the Governance and Leadership in Mining research program at The University of Queensland's Sustainable Mineral Institute, about the need for a research agenda that integrates different aspects of resource governance, with a focus on building an
Conversations about mining and society: Cross-cutting Programs
Dr Anthony Hodge (Tony) unpacks some of the key challenges facing the mining industry.
Here he sits down with Sustainable Minerals Institute (SMI) Director Professor Neville Plint to discuss SMI's Cross-cutting Programs, which focus on five of the big issues facing mining: complex orebodies, the mine life cycle, governance and leadership, digital mining, and creating the next generation of leader
Conversations about mining and society: Transformational Learning
Dr Anthony Hodge (Tony) unpacks some of the key challenges facing the mining industry.
Here he speaks with Robin Evans, leader of the Transformational Learning research program at The University of Queensland's Sustainable Mineral Institute, about the growing need for innovative, world-class education on responsible resource development.
Conversations about mining and society: Complex Orebodies
Dr Anthony Hodge (Tony) unpacks some of the key challenges facing the mining industry.
In this interview he speaks with Professor Rick Valenta, leader of the Complex Orebodies research program at The University of Queensland's Sustainable Mineral Institute, about the supply-side challenges facing future mines and sustainable paths forward.
