Overview
Background
Professor Daniel Franks is Director of the Global Centre for Mineral Security at the University of Queensland’s Sustainable Minerals Institute and is an Australian Research Council Future Fellow. Professor Franks is known internationally for his work on the interconnections between minerals, materials and sustainable development, with a particular focus on the role of minerals in poverty reduction. He has introduced a number of key concepts in development studies including ‘mineral poverty’, ‘mineral security,’ and ‘development minerals;’ and has worked with a wide range of public and private sector partners to implement breakthrough sustainability innovations, such as OreSand to drastically reduce mine waste, and ‘social impact management plans,’ a regulatory tool now adopted throughout the world.
He is the author of more than 160 publications, including 37 publications for the United Nations. His research has appeared in journals such as Nature Sustainability and the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, and is available in 11 languages. He is an Editorial Board Member of the International Journal of Minerals Policy & Economics, as well as Impact Assessment and Project Appraisal and has field experience at more than 100 mining and energy sites and 40 countries.
Availability
- Professor Daniel Franks is:
- Available for supervision
- Media expert
Fields of research
Qualifications
- Bachelor of Science, The University of Queensland
- Bachelor (Honours) of Science (Advanced), The University of Queensland
- Doctor of Philosophy, Griffith University
Research impacts
Professor Franks was Chief Technical Advisor at the United Nations Development Programme; is a member of the scientific board of UNESCO’s International Geosciences Programme; is an advisor to UN Secretary General’s Working Group on Transforming the Extractive Industries for Sustainable Development; supported the United Nations Environment Programme to implement the UN Environment Assembly (UNEA-4) Resolution on Mineral Resource Governance; and was a working group member of the UN Sustainable Development Solutions Network that provided technical advice on the formulation of the UN Sustainable Development Goals. He was the reciepient of The University of Queensland's Research Impact Award in 2022 with Julia Keenan.
The grandson of an artisanal miner, in 2018 he Chaired the First International Conference on Artisanal and Small-scale Mining and Quarrying, which was opened by the President of Zambia, and he spearheaded the ‘Mosi-oa-Tunya Declaration on Artisanal and Small-scale Mining, Quarrying and Development,’ ensuring it reflected the voices of informal miners. He subsequently supported the establishment of the Delve Exchange knowledge network of artisanal and small-scale miners with the World Bank, which was awarded a Global Good Award for Educational Excellence in 2023. His research was publicly cited by the Chief Operating Officer of the International Council on Mining and Metals as “academic research that has changed the mineral industry.”
Works
Search Professor Daniel Franks’s works on UQ eSpace
2021
Other Outputs
Durable change – sustaining impact in natural resource governance
Arbelaez-Ruiz, Diana, Franks, Daniel M., Sturman, Kathryn and Ezeigbo, Chinwe (2021). Durable change – sustaining impact in natural resource governance. Brisbane, QLD, Australia: The University of Queensland; BHP Foundation Natural Resource Governance Global Signature Program.
2021
Journal Article
Sand, gravel, and UN Sustainable Development Goals: Conflicts, synergies, and pathways forward
Bendixen, Mette, Iversen, Lars L., Best, Jim, Franks, Daniel M., Hackney, Christopher R., Latrubesse, Edgardo M. and Tusting, Lucy S. (2021). Sand, gravel, and UN Sustainable Development Goals: Conflicts, synergies, and pathways forward. One Earth, 4 (8), 1095-1111. doi: 10.1016/j.oneear.2021.07.008
2021
Other Outputs
Alternative sand from mineral ores: a potential new solution to the global sand sustainability crisis. Interim Report
Gallagher, Louise , Golev, Artem, Vander Velpen, Arnaud, Stringer, Martin, Friot, Damien, Reimer Lynggaard, Josefine, Peduzzi, Pascal and Franks, Daniel (2021). Alternative sand from mineral ores: a potential new solution to the global sand sustainability crisis. Interim Report. Brisbane, QLD, Australia: The University of Queensland and The University of Geneva.
2021
Other Outputs
Country case ctudy - Colombia: Embedded program evaluation: BHP Foundation Natural Resource Governance Program
Arbeláez-Ruiz, Diana and Franks, Daniel M. (2021). Country case ctudy - Colombia: Embedded program evaluation: BHP Foundation Natural Resource Governance Program. Brisbane, QLD, Australia: The University of Queensland; BHP Foundation Natural Resource Governance Global Signature Program.
2021
Book
Handbook of Cumulative Impact Assessment
Jill A.E. Blakley and Daniel M. Franks eds. (2021). Handbook of Cumulative Impact Assessment . United Kingdom: Edward Elgar.
2020
Other Outputs
Strategic issues and opportunities for the acquisition of thermal coal mining assets for managed closure
Franks, Daniel, Bainton, Nick, Head, Brian, Côte, Claire, Erskine, Peter, Fidelman, Pedro, Kemp, Deanna and Flomenhoft, Gary (2020). Strategic issues and opportunities for the acquisition of thermal coal mining assets for managed closure. Brisbane, QLD Australia: The University of Queensland.
2020
Other Outputs
Implementing UNEA Resolution 4/19 on Mineral Resource Governance: Regional Summary Europe and the Caucasus
Franks, Daniel M., Keenan, Julia, Tonda, Elisa and Kariuki, Angela (2020). Implementing UNEA Resolution 4/19 on Mineral Resource Governance: Regional Summary Europe and the Caucasus. Nairobi, Kenya: United Nations Environment Programme and The University of Queensland.
2020
Other Outputs
Implementing UNEA Resolution 4/19 on Mineral Resource Governance: Regional Summary Africa
Franks, Daniel M., Keenan, Julia, Tonda, Elisa and Kariuki, Angela (2020). Implementing UNEA Resolution 4/19 on Mineral Resource Governance: Regional Summary Africa. Nairobi, Kenya: United Nations Environment Program and The University of Queensland.
2020
Other Outputs
Implementing UNEA Resolution 4/19 on Mineral Resource Governance: Regional Summary Latin America and the Caribbean
Franks, Daniel M., Keenan, Julia, Tonda, Elisa and Kariuki, Angela (2020). Implementing UNEA Resolution 4/19 on Mineral Resource Governance: Regional Summary Latin America and the Caribbean. Nairobi, Kenya: United Nations Environment Programme and The University of Queensland.
2020
Other Outputs
Implementing UNEA Resolution 4/19 on Mineral Resource Governance: Regional Summary North America
Franks, Daniel M., Keenan, Julia, Tonda, Elisa and Kariuki, Angela (2020). Implementing UNEA Resolution 4/19 on Mineral Resource Governance: Regional Summary North America. Nairobi, Kenya: United Nations Environment Programme and The University of Queensland.
2020
Other Outputs
Implementing UNEA Resolution 4/19 on Mineral Resource Governance: Regional Summary Asia Pacific
Franks, Daniel M., Keenan, Julia, Tonda, Elisa and Kariuki, Angela (2020). Implementing UNEA Resolution 4/19 on Mineral Resource Governance: Regional Summary Asia Pacific. Nairobi, Kenya: United Nations Environment Programme and The University of Queensland.
2020
Other Outputs
Implementing UNEA Resolution 4/19 on Mineral Resource Governance: Regional Summary West Asia
Franks, Daniel M., Keenan, Julia, Tonda, Elisa and Kariuki, Angela (2020). Implementing UNEA Resolution 4/19 on Mineral Resource Governance: Regional Summary West Asia. Nairobi, Kenya: United Nations Environment Programme and The University of Queensland.
2020
Other Outputs
2020 annual program monitoring report: BHP Foundation Natural Resource Governance Program
Franks, Daniel and Sturman, Kathryn (2020). 2020 annual program monitoring report: BHP Foundation Natural Resource Governance Program. Brisbane, QLD, Australia: The University of Queensland.
2020
Other Outputs
Theory of Change narrative: BHP Foundation Natural Resource Governance Program
Franks, Daniel M. and Sturman, Kathryn (2020). Theory of Change narrative: BHP Foundation Natural Resource Governance Program. Brisbane, QLD, Australia: The University of Queensland.
2020
Other Outputs
Discussion Paper for Regional Consultations on the Implementation of the United Nations Environment Assembly Resolution on Mineral Resource Governance (UNEP/EA.4/Res. 19)
Franks, Daniel M., Tonda, Elisa, Kariuki, Angela and Keenan, Julia (2020). Discussion Paper for Regional Consultations on the Implementation of the United Nations Environment Assembly Resolution on Mineral Resource Governance (UNEP/EA.4/Res. 19). Nairobi, Kenya: United Nations Environment Programme.
2020
Other Outputs
Phasing out river gravel extraction in Fiji
Franks, Daniel M., Hailu, Degol, Smith, Robert, Lee, Gary, Tawake, Akuila and Stojkoska, Mihaela (2020). Phasing out river gravel extraction in Fiji. Washington, DC, United States: World Bank.
2020
Journal Article
Voices of artisanal and small-scale mining, visions of the future: report from the International Conference on Artisanal and Small-scale Mining and Quarrying
Franks, Daniel M., Ngonze, Caroline, Pakoun, Lacina and Hailu, Degol (2020). Voices of artisanal and small-scale mining, visions of the future: report from the International Conference on Artisanal and Small-scale Mining and Quarrying. The Extractive Industries and Society, 7 (2), 505-511. doi: 10.1016/j.exis.2020.01.011
2020
Book Chapter
United Nations Environment Assembly resolution on mineral resource governance
Tonda, Elisa, Franks, Daniel M. and Kariuki, Angela (2020). United Nations Environment Assembly resolution on mineral resource governance. Towards zero harm: a compendium of papers prepared for the Global Tailings Review. (pp. 224-230) edited by Bruno Oberle, David Brereton and Antonia Mihaylova. London, United Kingdom: Global Tailings Review.
2020
Book Chapter
Lessons from tailings facility data disclosures
Franks, Daniel M., Stringer, Martin, Baker, Elaine, Valenta, Rick, Torres-Cruz, Luis A., Thygesen, Kristina, Matthews, Adam, Howchin, John and Barrie, Stephen (2020). Lessons from tailings facility data disclosures. Towards Zero Harm: A Compendium of Papers Prepared for the Global Tailings Review. (pp. 84-108) edited by Bruno Oberle, David Brereton and Antonia Mihaylova. London, United Kingdom: Global Tailings Review.
2020
Book Chapter
Global research consortium on tailings
Franks, Daniel M., Littleboy, Anna and Williams, David (2020). Global research consortium on tailings. Towards Zero Harm: A Compendium of Papers Prepared for the Global Tailings Review. (pp. 231-237) edited by Bruno Oberle, David Brereton and Antonia Mihaylova. London, United Kingdom: Global Tailings Review.
Funding
Current funding
Supervision
Availability
- Professor Daniel Franks is:
- Available for supervision
Before you email them, read our advice on how to contact a supervisor.
Supervision history
Current supervision
-
Doctor Philosophy
Low-carbon cement adoption in the Pacific
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Pratheep Kumar Annamalai
-
Doctor Philosophy
Incorporating mineral security into multi-dimensional poverty assessments
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Lynda Lawson, Dr Paul Rogers
-
Doctor Philosophy
Waste Clays from the Mining Sector as Raw Material for Low Carbon Cements
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Associate Professor Vinh Dao, Dr Paul Rogers
-
Doctor Philosophy
Assessing the economic dimensions of mineral security for poverty reduction
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Shabbir Ahmad, Dr Paul Rogers
-
Doctor Philosophy
Impacts of mining for renewable energy transition on biodiversity
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Associate Professor Laura Sonter
-
Doctor Philosophy
Waste reduction by co-producing ore-sand from energy-critical metals
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Christian Antonio, Dr Juliana Segura-Salazar
-
Doctor Philosophy
Low-carbon cement adoption in the Pacific
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Associate Professor Vinh Dao, Dr Pratheep Kumar Annamalai
-
Doctor Philosophy
The making of responsible cobalt
Associate Advisor
-
Doctor Philosophy
Lessons from company-community conflicts in mining.
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Deanna Kemp
-
Doctor Philosophy
Mitigating the biodiversity impacts of extracting Australia's energy transition minerals
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Associate Professor Laura Sonter
-
Doctor Philosophy
The making of responsible cobalt
Associate Advisor
-
Doctor Philosophy
Ore-sand: A circular and sustainable solution for a low-carbon future
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Louise Gallagher, Dr Juliana Segura-Salazar
Completed supervision
-
2024
Doctor Philosophy
Utilising Inter-Sectoral Linkages with the Extractive Sector for Economic Transformation in Africa and Australia
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Shabbir Ahmad
-
2022
Doctor Philosophy
Engaging Artisanal and Small-Scale Miners of Development Minerals in Public Infrastructure Projects: The Case of Uganda
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Adjunct Professor Adil Khan, Dr Vlado Vivoda
-
2015
Doctor Philosophy
Uranium Companies and Traditional Owners: Negotiating the Intersection of Risk and Rights
Principal Advisor
-
2017
Doctor Philosophy
Steering Social Impact Outcomes in Extractive Resource Regions: A Comparative Case Study of Private Meta-governance in Australia and the United States
Associate Advisor
-
2015
Doctor Philosophy
Coal Seam Gas Development and Community Conflict: A Comparative Study of Community Responses to Coal Seam Gas Development in Chinchilla and Tara, Queensland
Associate Advisor
-
2015
Doctor Philosophy
Transforming Andean Space: Local Experiences of Mining Development in Peru
Associate Advisor
Media
Enquiries
Contact Professor Daniel Franks directly for media enquiries about:
- Community engagement - mining
- Community relations - mining
- Mine waste policy
- Mine-community conflict
- Mines and tailings
- Mining
- Mining policy
- Resource conflict - mining
- Resource governance - mining
- Social impact assessment - mining
- Sovereignty and consent - mine resources
- Sustainable development
- Tailings - mines
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