Georesources and sustainability

The main goals of the course are to transfer to the students the following knowledge and competences:
· Ability to classify georesources and discriminate different typologies based on their specific features
· basic knowledge on the main processes affecting spatial and temporal distribution of georesources
· evaluate the role of different georesources in the frame of sustainability and circular economy
· understanding the main processes that can lead to environmental hazard related to the exploitation, transformation and discard disposal of georesources
· have a general view of the main actions that can help to prevent, reduce or remediate environmental pollution related to the georesurces

At the end of the course participants will be able to classify the different typologies of georesources, to critically discuss their global distribution and the factors driving their exploitation. Participants will recognize and will be able to discuss the main processes affecting the environmental impact of the mining activities and the main geological features limiting/influencing the availability of georesources in the space (global distribution) and time (future availability).