At Durham University, scientists are exploring the opportunity to use the water within flooded abandoned mines to provide a source of geothermal heat for the future. This could also deliver economic opportunities to former mining areas. Continue reading
The 2017 Bryan Lovell meeting, ‘Mining for the Future’, is taking place on 23-24 November. Spaces are still available – register now! Continue reading
As part of the Year of Risk, the Geological Society is teaming up with the Institute of Risk Management for a week of conferences exploring the role geologists can play in the management of risk, and what lessons we can learn from other sectors. Continue reading
A guest blog from Paul Younger, Professor of Energy Engineering at the University of Glasgow* Shale gas fracking is not really my fight: I do not have (and never have had) any vested interests in the industry’s success or failure in the UK or elsewhere. Indeed, a resurgence of cheap gas would be inimical to … Continue reading
Minamata has become a word synonymous with disease. ‘Minamata disease’ was first identified in 1956, after years of chemical company Chisso discharging methyl mercury into Minamata Bay, Japan. It was a process that continued until 1968, and left over 2,500 people affected by mercury related diseases. Symptoms can range from ataxia, muscle weakness and damage … Continue reading
The problem Coleridge’s Ancient Mariner faced, becalmed in the middle of the ocean, was that despite ‘water, water, everywhere’, none of it was suitable for drinking. The average human can survive for only a few days without access to clean drinking water. It is literally a vital resource. Continue reading
Last week’s tragic events in the Swansea Valley serve as a stark reminder of the dangers of looking underground for our fuel sources. It came on a day when we joined the Archaeology and Anthropology section at the British Science Festival for a field trip to the National Coal Mining Museum in Bradford. We spoke … Continue reading
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