PhD Studentship - Digital Twinning for Post-Mining Environmental Transitions

Post-mining transitions that support economic diversification and regional growth depend on geology and placement in/under the landscape, socio-environmental context and the opportunistic actions of motivated entrepreneurs. This project investigates how to manage mining transitions holistically, at a time when many old mine landscapes need repair and global demand for mined raw materials continues to escalate.

The key questions are:

1. How is socio-environmental resilience built on the foundations of former extractive sites?
2. How can modern digital technologies support technical design decisions that incorporate environmental sustainability?
3. How can valuation of former sites be achieved for alternative future end-of-life of mine scenario?

The student will desk-survey the ways in which (and how well) old mine/quarry/tip sites are internationally remined for: resources, environmental restoration, tourism or cultural heritage projects, alternative and innovative manufacturing and research industries. They will use remote sensing, laser scanning field-survey, build lab-based digital twins of UK post-extractive underground and overground landscapes and then use gaming technologies to visualize alternative and sustainable future working environments that make space for nature. The student will then consider how the digital-twinning methodology can transform local and regional understanding and decision-making for management of industrial extraction and post-extractive resilience, in variably geodiverse and biodiverse landscapes. UK-based case studies will be selected from a shortlist in Isle of Portland, S Wales, SW England, and the Peak District.

No one candidate can have all competencies required for this project. Training in mining-oriented solutions, laser scanning and digital twinning is provided in the Camborne School of Mines (CSM) and Deep Digital Cornwall facility at the University of Exeter. Training for gaming technologies will be at Bristol Digital Game Lab facilities. Collaborators on the project are Island Community Action and the Mine Remediation Authority (at case studies) and SLR consulting (consultation/placement).

Funding

For eligible students the studentship will cover home tuition fees plus an annual tax-free stipend.

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