Bridging Disciplines and Discoveries: Dr. Hervé Rezeau on Economic Geology and Global Challenges
Hervé Rezeau, a joint faculty member at the University of Arizona School of Mining & Mineral Resources, brings a dynamic perspective to the study of economic geology. With a passion for uncovering the processes behind mineral deposit formation and a commitment to preparing the next generation of geoscientists, Dr. Rezeau is poised to make a significant impact on both research and education. In this Q&A, he shares insights into his journey, research interests, and vision for addressing critical global challenges through the School's interdisciplinary and solutions-focused approach.
What drew you to join the School of Mining & Mineral Resources?
Joining the School of Mining & Mineral Resources offers opportunities to connect with colleagues from various departments beyond Geosciences, fostering new avenues for cross-disciplinary collaborations focused on the broad theme of mineral resources.
What feeds your passion for research and/or teaching?
While the process can be lengthy, research is both fascinating and exciting, offering the opportunity to explore new ideas, gather evidence, and deepen our understanding of the Earth. In teaching and mentoring, I feel privileged to share my knowledge and help guide the next generation of geoscientists and economic geologists in their careers. It is incredibly rewarding when students share feedback about how they’ve learned from my course and how it can possibly inspire their future career paths.
What drew you to your research interest in economic geology?
Economic geology sits at the intersection of various Earth Science disciplines, with both fundamental and applied research aspects. On one hand, I enjoy the fundamental approach, as it allows for creativity in advancing our understanding of the processes behind mineral deposit formation. On the other hand, the practical applications of my research—addressing real-world challenges—are exciting, as they provide an opportunity to contribute something valuable to society that could have an indirect impact on people’s lives.
What advice would you give to students interested in pursuing a career in the mining and minerals industry?
For students pursuing degrees in Geosciences, Mining, or Geological Engineering with the goal of entering the mining industry, now is a great time to do so, as the sector is thriving due to the growing demand for critical minerals. My advice is to think ahead and anticipate which skills will be in high demand over the next few decades. By taking the right courses, students can not only stay competitive in the job market but also develop a unique and valuable skill set that will help them advance in their careers. From a Geosciences perspective, I foresee a strong demand for a combination of geochemistry and computer science expertise.
What role do you see your work/research and the School of Mining & Mineral Resources playing in addressing global challenges such as population growth and climate change?
Population growth is closely linked to economic expansion in emerging countries, which drives increased consumption of carbon-based energy and higher CO2 emissions, ultimately contributing to climate change and global warming (i.e. the Kaya identity). Therefore, addressing global warming requires large-scale adoption of carbon-free technologies, which depend on a wide range of metals that must be mined. My research, which focuses on understanding the geological processes behind mineral deposit formation, aims to develop new fundamental knowledge and applied geochemical exploration tools to discover untapped mineral resources. Combined with the expertise at the SMMR, this work will contribute to a holistic approach to securing the supply of metals for society—covering everything from mineral exploration to metal extraction and enrichment, and extending through to mine reclamation.