Colorado School of Mines (CSM) and BHP have announced a founding partnership to support the Global Energy Future Initiative (GEFI).
The GEFI is a science and engineering framework for collaboration and the exchange of ideas around creating a secure, resilient and sustainable energy future worldwide.
Through technical research, education, workshops, seminars, public symposia and more, the initiative connects energy innovators, industry leaders and policymakers from academia, industry, government and civil society, to develop energy solutions that could shape decision-making now and for decades to come.
With its support announced today, BHP becomes a founding partner of the initiative and will sponsor research projects, participate in steering committees and working groups, and add industry expertise to solve complex problems.
In exchange for its expertise, BHP will gain access to cutting-edge research critical to building a sustainable future for the mining industry. Through this partnership, BHP and GEFI aim to develop renewable, secure, resilient, and adaptive energy systems and infrastructure, fostering worldwide economic development, while reducing environmental impacts.
BHP Head of Strategy and Innovation, Nima Brooks, said, “As decarbonisation, or the pursuit of net zero greenhouse gas emissions, draws sharper focus from businesses and governments worldwide, the mining industry remains central to that challenge. The GEFI is a terrific project that is aligned with BHP’s focus on innovation, exploration and technology to help solve this challenge.
“What we produce is vital for the world to sustainably develop, and many of our products will help make the transition to lower emissions energy possible. BHP provides minerals that are essential resources the world needs for decarbonisation, and we are committed to doing so sustainably.”
CSM launched the GEFI to harness the university’s strong expertise across the spectrum of energy-related research at a time of ambitious government and industry initiatives to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and diversify energy, all while the world is facing significant growth in energy demand from emerging and developing economies.
The GEFI works within and across the most important areas of energy innovation: low carbon and renewable energy, carbon capture, utilisation and storage (CCUS), oil and gas, supply chain transparency, minerals and metals, and clean water innovation.
Vice President for global initiatives at CSM, John Bradford, said, “The transition to a net-zero carbon emission energy economy is perhaps one of the biggest technical challenges the world has faced. Doing so in a way that is sustainable and supports health and prosperity for all communities is critical.
“We are thrilled to partner with BHP to help bring about this change.”
