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| Semester | fall semester 2018 |
| Course frequency | Every fall sem. |
| Lecturers |
Annette Affolter Kast (annette.affolter@unibas.ch)
Peter Huggenberger (peter.huggenberger@unibas.ch, Assessor) |
| Content | An overview over critical mineral and non-renewable fossil raw materials is given. Rare metals are introduced using examples (e.g., gallium, lithium, etc.). E.g. critical mineral resources in everyday products (iphones, cars, etc.) The development of supply, geological and technological progress over the past decades will be outlined. Thereby the focus will be on the technological developments of extraction, related risks, interaction with and consumption of water accompanying fossil raw material exploitation. Introduction to economic, social and regulatory aspects, geopolitical factors and life cycles. Recovery of critical raw materials from products (for example electronic equipment) including case studies of indium and neodymium. Recycling of electronic waste, processing steps in the recycling chain. Swiss pioneering industrial projects on recycling of mineral resources will be presented: Urban mining (recovery of critical mineral resources (worldwide, Europe, Switzerland)), i.e., the impact of VVEA (regulation on the recycling and disposal of waste in Switzerland, legal aspects (the new VVEA of Switzerland). Ecological impacts of the extraction, production and disposal of critical raw materials (case studies), worldwide aspects. Examples include: Environmental impact of raw material exploitation in Switzerland (historical-current), Romania, Indonesia: cement, salt. CO2 production during cement production, CO2 storage, processes, case studies in Switzerland (Excursions to the most modern recycling facilities (in CH) possible.) |
| Learning objectives | Participants - know the distribution and environmental relevance of critical mineral and non-renewable fossil raw materials; - have an idea of the complexity of the steps from extraction to disposal of fossil raw materials, resource consumption such as water or additives in exploration and production as well as aspects of CO2 storage; - acquire the knowledge and understanding to critically discuss examples of raw material exploration and recycling; - understand the role of the global interest in, exploitation and trade of raw materials. They can explain the role of a globalized resource consumption and the arising environmental consequences using examples. |
| Bibliography | Recommended texts: Angerer, G. et al.: Rohstoffe für Zukunftstechnologien. Stuttgart, Deutschland: Fraunhofer Verlag (2009). Brown, T. J. et al.: World Mineral Production. Keyworth, Großbritannien: British Geological Survey (2012). Bundesanstalt für Geowissenschaften und Rohstoffe: www.bgr.bund.de/DE/Home/homepage_node.html Graedel, T. E. et al.: Methodology of metal criticality determination. In: Environmental Science and Technology, 46 (2012) 1063–1070. Dieter Lohmann, Nadja Podbregar: Im Fokus: Bodenschätze. Auf der Suche nach Rohstoffen, Berlin / Heidelberg 2012 Rhodia develops innovative process for the recycling of rare earths. Internet: http://www.rhodia.com/en/news_center/news_releases/Rare_earths_130111.tcm. Schüler, D. et al.: Study on Rare Earths and Their Recycling. Öko-Institut e.V. (2011) Final Report for the Greens/EFA Group in the European Parliament, 1–140. SCRREEN EU - Solutions for CRitical Raw materials - a European Expert Network Terre des hommes: Glück auf? Die Auswirkungen des Bergbaus auf Kinder, Osnabrück September 2011. Weltweiter Verteilungskampf um Ressourcen – Rohstoffe, Wasser, Energie, DBG Bildungswerk, DGB Bildungswerk BUND, Nord ¦ Süd-Netz, 2013 nord-sued-netz@dgb-bildungswerk.de |
| Comments | Note: Special course inscription and entry requirements! MSD 2017 MSD-Students who have chosen the focus area of Social Sciences or Economics may attend the seminar on condition that they formerly have completed the module “Complementary knowledge in Natural Sciences” (learning agreement). Credits may then be transferred to the module "Focal areas in sustainability research" (learning agreement). Mandatory for MSD-Students who have chosen the focus area of Natural Sciences. No credit transfer possible to any different module than published. This lecture is offered by MSD, the lecturer will hold a teaching assignment. |
| Admission requirements | Special course inscription required for ALL (for details see 'course application' or 'Anmeldung'). Course inscriptions in a different way then explained ARE NOT taken into account. Limited number of participants (25), Students of the MSD and those of the mentioned fields of study (see list of modules) have priority. If you study something different you must do a master degree within the 'Faculty of Sciences' and may attend the seminar in case of vacancies and former inscription as explained. MSD-Students who have chosen the focus area of Social Sciences or Economics must have completed the module “Complementary knowledge in Natural Sciences”. |
| Course application | Mandatory application for ALL! Link open from 14.08.18y/noon - 05.09.18/midnight: https://adam.unibas.ch/goto.php?target=crs_544052_rcodeZ5LwyBC5jg&client_id=adam (Login on top row right hand side of ADAM website; list of forms available from 14.08.18/ noon on) NOTE: Be aware of special entry requirements. Course inscription via MOnA remains mandatory for all participants.. In case of vacancies the online application link remains open until the second week of teaching + 2 days. |
| Language of instruction | English |
| Use of digital media | No specific media used |
| Interval | Weekday | Time | Room |
|---|
No dates available. Please contact the lecturer.
| Modules |
Module: Core Competences in Natural Sciences (Master's Studies: Sustainable Development) Module: Environmental Geosciences and Biogeochemistry (Master's Studies: Geosciences) |
| Assessment format | record of achievement |
| Assessment details | Written examination on ddmmyy/hh (Seminarraum 02.02; Vesalgasse 1, Vesalianum) |
| Assessment registration/deregistration | Reg.: course registration, dereg: cancel course registration |
| Repeat examination | one repetition, best attempt counts |
| Scale | 1-6 0,1 |
| Repeated registration | as often as necessary |
| Responsible faculty | University of Basel |
| Offered by | Archäologie / Humangeographie / MSD |