Dr. Dave Lawie: Critical Materials Gap, Mining R&D & Copper Tech Breakthroughs

Michael Fox and Dr. Dave Lawie chief Geoscientist at Imdex unpack the widening gap between today’s critical materials reality and government ambitions, spotlighting the resurgence of industrial policy as the U.S., Canada and Argentina lead new mining capex while red‑green tape and federal–state tensions (e.g., Minnesota nickel) slow progress. They reveal mining’s innovation deficit—only ~1% of revenue to R&D versus other sectors—and explore game‑changing technologies from eutectic solvents for e‑waste metals to Rio Tinto’s Nuton bio‑heap leach that can produce 99.99% copper cathode at the mine gate, potentially cutting smelting, water use and emissions but unlikely to transform supply within five years amid workforce and capital constraints. With AI and data centers driving copper and zinc demand and inflation squeezing project economics, the duo assesses how loans, guarantees and allied industrial policies may bridge the gap—and what it means for investors, engineers and the next generation of mining talent.