| Sustainable Minerals Institute | |
| Formation: | 2001 |
| Founder: | Alban Lynch |
| Headquarters: | Level 4, Sir James Foots Building (No. 47A) The University of Queensland, St Lucia, Queensland 4067 |
| Coordinates: | -27.5006°N 153.0142°W |
| Location: | Brisbane, Australia |
The Sustainable Minerals Institute (SMI) at the University of Queensland (UQ) is a research institute focused on understanding and implementing the principles of sustainable development through engagement with industry contacts from geology to mining, processing and disposal.[1] In 2022, the institute was awarded more than $1.2 million in grants to develop research into sustainable resources for the mining industry.[2] The founder, Alban Lynch, died in 2021.[3]
SMI has six Centres:[4]
The Centre for Social Responsibility in Mining (CSRM) is a research centre committed to improving the social performance of the global resource industry through independent research, training and professional development, participation in multi-stakeholder dialogue processes, and student research for higher degrees. CSRM's focus is on the social, cultural, economic, and political challenges accompanying mineral resource extraction and on questions of justice, fairness, and equity. CSRM staff engage with industry, communities, and Indigenous and land-connected peoples alike.[5] The centre has a worldwide research interests, with recent publications on mining issues in Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, Cook Islands, Czech Republic, India, Indonesia, Madagascar, Papua New Guinea, Peru, Philippines, South Africa, and Suriname.[6]
CSRM was established in 2001.[7] In 2022, it had 40 staff and postgraduate students.[8] Undergraduate programs are not offered.
The Centre for Mined Land Rehabilitation (CMLR) was established at OQ in 1993 and has built on more than twenty years involvement with the mining and minerals industries. CMLR is involved in a broad range of research and training projects with mining companies, industry bodies and government departments from across Australia and the world.