Abstract Volume, FUTORES Conference: future understanding of tectonics, ores, resources, environment and sustainability

[Extract] Exploration for mineral resources is becoming more challenging geologically, at a time when the demand for mineral resources has greatly increased and the inventory of known resources is being rapidly depleted. Future exploration will need to target resources at increasing depths below the Earth's surface. To maintain a sustainable supply of mineral resources to society, more advanced exploration techniques, and in turn improved understanding of ore deposits and related geological sciences, are needed. To summarise recent developments in the exploration and understanding of major types of mineral deposits, examine the key issues and techniques critical to future exploration, and discuss the way forward, The Economic Geology Research Centre (EGRU), James Cook University, organized the FUTORES (Future and Understanding of Tectonics, Ores, Resources, Environment and Sustainability) conference, to be held in tropical Townsville, Queensland, Australia, on 2-5 June 2013