Latest news with #KIGAM
Yahoo
08-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
South Korea is converting an abandoned coal mine into a moon exploration testing ground
When you buy through links on our articles, Future and its syndication partners may earn a commission. South Korea is transforming abandoned coal mines into testing grounds for lunar exploration. The Korea Institute of Geoscience and Mineral Resources (KIGAM) conducted a demonstration inside the tunnel of the former Hamtae mine in Taebaek, Gangwon Province, in late March, deploying prototype lunar rovers using autonomous navigation and other technologies with potential for use in space mining, the South Korean news outlet Pulse reported. The rovers demonstrated mobility across challenging terrain, sample collection and remote sensing capabilities. The move highlights the plan, which involves government and research institutes, to turn the mine into a space resource convergence demonstration complex and help develop technologies that could extract useful resources from the moon. "To compete in the global resource race, Korea must develop space resource technologies independently," said Kim Kyeong-ja, head of the Space Resource Exploration and Utilization Center at KIGAM, Pulse reported. "This requires mobilizing national capabilities via the collaboration of multiple institutions. It is not something that a single researcher or institute can achieve alone." Related: South Korea creates new KASA space agency, sets sights on the moon and Mars Related Stories: — South Korea's moon mission snaps stunning Earth pics after successful lunar arrival — Moon mining gains momentum as private companies plan for a lunar economy — The moon: Everything you need to know about Earth's companion South Korea has already launched a lunar orbiter, Danuri, which is also known as the Korea Pathfinder Lunar Orbiter (KPLO). The country established its national space agency, KASA, last year and is targeting its first robotic lunar landing by 2032. Taebek is South Korea's highest-elevation city, and therefore symbolically the closest one to space. Its former use for mining coal for energy is giving way to the testing of technology that could unlock future energy sources from off world. "The coal that was once mined in Taebaek fueled Korea's industrialization during the 1960s," KIGAM President Lee Pyeong-koo said. "We are now beginning a new mission to explore energy resources for future generations, and we are once again starting in Taebaek."
Korea Herald
07-04-2025
- Business
- Korea Herald
Tanzania, Korea discuss critical minerals
Experts from Tanzania and South Korea discussed minerals critical for future industries, such as graphite, nickel, lithium and rare earth elements, at the Tanzania-South Korea Critical Mineral Roadshow in Seoul. Jointly organized by the Tanzanian Embassy in Seoul and the Korea Institute of Geoscience and Mineral Resources (KIGAM), the roadshow follows the June 2024 agreement between South Korea and Tanzania to enhance resource and mineral cooperation. During the first-ever Korea-Africa Summit held in Seoul last year, South Korea and Tanzania agreed to cooperate on critical minerals to strengthen South Korea's supply chains for key industries such as rechargeable batteries. The two countries also announced the start of negotiations for an Economic Partnership Agreement to deepen trade ties, aiming for a mutually beneficial trade network beyond basic market access. At the roadshow, KIGAM reiterated bridging Korean companies with the Tanzanian government and businesses for joint mineral projects. KIGAM and a high-level delegation of Tanzanian officials — from the Ministry of Minerals, Geological Survey of Tanzania, State Mining Company and the Mining Commission — called for stronger Tanzania-Korea cooperation in the mining and refining sectors to diversify critical mineral supply chains and reduce dependence on China. 'Tanzania plans to complete 50 percent of its geochemical surveys by 2030 to develop high-value mines with investment support,' said Musa Budeda, CEO of GST. 'Besides mining, there are also opportunities in refining facilities, transportation and logistics infrastructure,' said Budeda, highlighting the rising demand for critical minerals to achieve global net-zero goals. He projected that by 2040, copper demand would rise 1.5 times compared to 2003 levels, while lithium demand would increase ninefold. Experts at the roadshow highlighted that with a growing global population, the demand for critical minerals is expected to rise steadily. Minerals such as lithium and rare earth elements are essential for advancing low-carbon technologies, including electric vehicles. 'This is not just about the government — it is equally about the private sector,' said Tanzanian Ambassador to Korea, Togolani Edriss Mavura. 'This mix provides you with the entire ecosystem of solutions a Korean company needs to invest in Tanzania,' said Mavura. Following the roadshow, GST and KIGAM signed a memorandum of understanding on March 26, 2025, to enhance geoscience research and mineral exploration. The agreement promotes joint geological, geochemical and geophysical research; mineral processing studies; capacity building and natural disaster management research. Tanzanian Deputy Minister for Minerals, Steven Kiruswa, commended South Korea's commitment to the partnership, emphasizing its potential to empower Tanzanians with technical expertise. 'This partnership is a significant step in positioning Tanzania as a global leader in mineral research and value addition,' said Kiruswa. The event featured B2B meetings between Tanzanian and Korean companies, with site visits to KIGAM's research infrastructure in Daejeon. Meanwhile, Tanzanian officials toured KIGAM's facilities to see advanced mineral processing techniques, electric vehicle battery material innovations and sustainable mining technologies. sanjaykumar@
