This month ESE founder Dr Jose Gonzalez Rodriguez travelled to Spain to give a lecture on recycling critical minerals to students at the University of Malaga.
Jose has been an Honorary Collaborator of the Department of Analytical Chemistry at the University of Malaga for the last two years and so is often invited to deliver talks, practical courses, and workshops at the University. This year he decided to use the opportunity to raise awareness about the need for recycling critical minerals and the ways in which we can move towards a circular economy in this area.
Recycling critical minerals: a vital topic
The talk was titled ‘critical minerals and recycling: a game of thrones in between economy and geopolitics’ and emphasised the mission of ESE; to provide economical and feasible solutions to industrial corporations in relation to critical minerals.
The lecture was incredibly well received and examined the vital need to identify sources of critical minerals in our waste and to establish the best technologies to economically extract them. Jose also explained the importance of avoiding dependence on future non-secured trading routes and becoming self-sufficient.
Inspiring students
The students at the University of Malaga were eager to learn more about recycling critical minerals and the work of ESE, with a round of questions at the end of the talk continuing for almost 45 minutes! The students asked thoughtful questions surrounding the present geopolitical situation and how this can affect our lifestyle and industries in the future.
The students were able to learn how much a sustainable future depends on recycling critical minerals and were eager to find the solution to this ongoing problem. Jose’s answer: “it is far too complex for a single person to solve! A mission for all of us!”
The future of recycling critical minerals
Jose is optimistic for future generations, saying, “all the years at school learning about recycling and how to be environmentally conscious are paying off as young people have high levels of commitment to recycling.
The next generation needs to really engage with a greater view in recycling, not only in domestic recycling, but all aspects of the science, engineering, economics, and political views needed to make it happen. When people from my generation retire, future generations need to be prepared to face even greater challenges than we are facing now.”