Researchers are combining satellites, advances in hyperspectral imaging and computer processing to uncover much-needed mineral deposits in far-flung places – without ever going there.
Reaching global net zero ambitions is contingent on discovering and developing new deposits of rare earth and other critical minerals. To be more precise, more than three billion tons of minerals and metals will be needed to deploy wind, solar and geothermal power and energy storage to achieve the Paris Agreement climate goal, according to estimates by the World Bank.
Yet finding new ore bodies is becoming more challenging because of increasing costs, geopolitical tensions and the fact that much of the low-hanging fruit has already been exploited. As such, it’s expected that much of the untapped mineral wealth is in regions where it has been historically difficult to explore, such as the remote parts of Africa or South America. Exploration in these areas can be risky, time-consuming and expensive, with financial...