What have you done today that did not involve a mineral? Is mineral processing geomimicry?

Mining a mineral message (Part 3)

In 2018, Gregory Unruh introduced the term “geomimicry,” defining it as the “imitation of physical geological processes in the design and manufacture of products and services.” This prompt a fascinating question: Is mineral processing a reverse of mineral deposit formation? To explore this, the authors compiled the comparison in Table 1, highlighting how Earth’s natural processes and human mineral processing align and diverge.

The Earth’s rock cycle continually constructs and destructs minerals over millions of years through processes like erosion, deposition, and metamorphism. In contrast, humans extract minerals and elements (e.g., potash, copper, gold, and lithium) from deposits and process them into usable forms within hours to months. Mineral processing, as a branch of extractive metallurgy, separates minerals from rock and ore into concentrates that can be further refined. Are these human-made processes mimicking Earth’s geological toolkit, or are they fundamentally distinct?

Mineral processing might appear to reverse nature’s work by breaking apart what nature has concentrated. However, the mechanisms and objectives differ significantly owing to the application of technology. While Earth’s processes are open systems operating slowly and naturally, human systems are closed, industrial, and designed for speed and efficiency. Interestingly, nature does on occasion separate out pure elements such as gold or silver. Yet humans cannot perfectly separate what nature has formed in mineral processing, necessitating refining to achieve greater purity. While nature benefits from abundant energy, an energy balance on either natural or human processing would likely reveal both to be inherently inefficient.

Both nature and humans rely on factors like gravity, water, temperature, and microbes, but humans amplify and modify these processes with tools and technology. For example, water naturally transports particles in some mineral deposits, while humans use hydraulic systems to extract minerals rapidly. These adaptations allow humans to replicate Earth’s natural forces exponentially faster without ever fully knowing the long-term environmental cost. This is especially concerning when humans may add chemicals or genetically engineered microbes that were not originally present in the ore into the process.

Key differences suggest why geomimicry is not fully applied in mineral processing are as follows:

Timeframe: Nature’s system operates over millions of years, whereas human processes occur almost instantly by comparison. This disparity emphasizes that we must respect the finite nature of Earth’s resources, as replenishment is not feasible on a human timescale.

Spatial flexibility: Earth’s processes are bound to the geological conditions of a specific location, so no deposit will form if the region lacks the necessary conditions (heat, pressure, fluids, etc.), no matter how long the timeframe. Humans, however, can leverage resources from multiple locations globally, shipping ores and raw materials.

Selective concentration: Humans adapt technology to concentrate specific minerals or elements for removal from a property. In contrast, nature’s processes are holistic, shaping entire landscapes and ecosystems.

Landforms changes: Human extraction permanently alters local/regional geology, often leaving behind segregated waste piles. In contrast, nature continuously reshapes landforms and ecosystems without creating permanent depletion.

Earth’s mineral deposits are akin to a savings account built over millions of years. Humans act as both spenders and managers of these resources. Yet, without careful management, we risk exhausting this account, leaving little for future generations.

Humans have leveraged incredible ingenuity to develop processes that mimic geological forces, but are we truly respecting Earth’s limitations? Mineral processing is not truly the reverse of mineral deposition, instead, it is an extension of nature’s processes. Earth’s systems will continue to persist, with forces far surpassing human activities.

This brings us back to the reflection in the November 2024 and December-January 2025 articles of the Canadian Mining Journal: What have you done today that did not involve a mineral? As we enjoy the benefits of extracted resources, we must also consider the long-term impacts of our actions. Are we leaving enough for future generations to thrive, or are we depleting Earth’s natural resources value chain?

Let us ponder not only to the power of Earth’s systems but also the responsibility we hold in managing them. 

Table 1.

Connections within the industry can expand our knowledge. Bruce Downing, a geoscientist consultant based in Langley, B.C., combines research, education, geochemistry, and industry in geoscience. Donna Beneteau, an associate professor in geological engineering at the University of Saskatchewan, combines academic insight with industry experience in mining. Daniel Hamilton, a metallurgical engineer turned laboratory engineer at at the University of Saskatchewan, bridges practical and research applications in mineral processing.