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
2011
Book Chapter
Cumulative social impacts
Franks, Daniel M., Brereton, David and Moran, Chris J. (2011). Cumulative social impacts. New directions in social impact assessment: Conceptual and methodological advances. (pp. 202-220) edited by Frank Vanclay and Ana Maria Esteves. Cheltenham, Gloucester, U.K.: Edward Elgar Publishing.
2011
Conference Publication
Brave new mine: Examining the human factors implications of automation and remote operation in mining
Horberry, Tim, Lynas, Danellie, Franks, Daniel M., Barnes, Rodger and Brereton, David (2011). Brave new mine: Examining the human factors implications of automation and remote operation in mining. Second International Future Mining Conference, Sydney, Australia, 22 - 23 November 2011.
2011
Conference Publication
Environmental and social geology approach for sustainable development of porphyry copper deposits
Mollehuara Canales, Raul, Edraki, Mansour and Franks, Daniel M. (2011). Environmental and social geology approach for sustainable development of porphyry copper deposits. Enviromine 2011 - 2nd International Seminar on Environmental Issues in the Mining Industry, Santiago, Chile, 23-25 November 2011. Santiago, Chile: Gecamin.
2011
Conference Publication
Monitoring social progress in mining zones: the case of Antofagasta & Tarapacá, Chile
Parra, Cristian and Franks, Daniel M. (2011). Monitoring social progress in mining zones: the case of Antofagasta & Tarapacá, Chile. First International Seminar on Social Responsibility in Mining, Santiago, Chile, 19 - 21 October 2011. Santiago, Chile: SRMinning.
2010
Journal Article
Mining, water and human rights: Making the connection
Kemp, Deanna, Bond, Carol J., Franks, Daniel M. and Cote, Claire (2010). Mining, water and human rights: Making the connection. Journal of Cleaner Production, 18 (15), 1553-1562. doi: 10.1016/j.jclepro.2010.06.008
2010
Book
Technology futures discussion paper: Technology assessment and the CSIRO minerals down under national research flagship
Franks, Daniel, Cohen, Tamar, McLellan, Ben and Brereton, David (2010). Technology futures discussion paper: Technology assessment and the CSIRO minerals down under national research flagship. Brisbane, Australia: Centre for Social Responsibility in Mining, Sustainable Minerals Institute, The University of Queensland.
2010
Journal Article
Book Review: Mining and the environment: from ore to metal
Bamberry, John, Fisk, Greg, Tran, Cuong, Whelan, James, Franks, Daniel and Thomsen, Dana (2010). Book Review: Mining and the environment: from ore to metal. Australasian Journal of Environmental Management, 17 (1), 57-58. doi: 10.1080/14486563.2010.9725249
2010
Journal Article
Mining and the environment: From ore to metal
Franks, Daniel (2010). Mining and the environment: From ore to metal. Australasian Journal of Environmental Management, 17 (1), 57-58.
2010
Book
Cumulative impacts: A good practice guide for the Australian coal mining industry
Franks, Daniel M., Brereton, David, Moran. Chris J., Sarker, Tapan and Cohen, Tamar (2010). Cumulative impacts: A good practice guide for the Australian coal mining industry. Brisbane, Australia: Centre for Social Responsibility in Mining & Centre for Water in the Minerals Industry, Sustainable Minerals Institute, The University of Queensland & Australian Coal Association Research Program.
2009
Book
Leading practice strategies for addressing the social impacts of resource developments
Franks, Daniel, Fidler, Courtney, Brereton, David, Vanclay, Frank and Clark, Phil (2009). Leading practice strategies for addressing the social impacts of resource developments. Brisbane, Australia: Centre for Social Responsibility in Mining, Sustainable Minerals Institute, The University of Queensland & Department of Employment, Economic Development and Innovation, Queensland Government.
2009
Book
Risk communication: A framework for technology development and implementation in the mining and minerals processing industries : Final report
Barclay, Mary Anne, Franks, Daniel M. and Pattenden, Catherine (2009). Risk communication: A framework for technology development and implementation in the mining and minerals processing industries : Final report. Brisbane, QLD Australia: Centre for Social Responsibility in Mining, The Sustainable Minerals Institute, University of Queensland & Parker Cooperative Research Centre for Integrated Hydrometallurgy Solutions.
2009
Book
Mineral futures discussion paper: Sustainability issues, challenges and opportunities.
Giurco, Damien, Evans, Geoff, Cooper, Carlia, Mason, Leah and Franks, Daniel M. (2009). Mineral futures discussion paper: Sustainability issues, challenges and opportunities.. Cluster research report 1.1 Sydney, Australia: Institute for Sustainable Futures University of Technology, Sydney.
2009
Journal Article
How can revenues from natural resources extraction be more efficiently utilized for local sustainable development?
Lahiri-Dutt, Kuntala, Slack, Keith, Secretariat of the IGCP Programme, Baker, Lauren, Downs, Timothy J., McNeely, Jeffrey A., Tambunan, Tulus, Iftekhar, M. S., Franks, Daniel, Souza, Waldemar, Munthali, Simon M., Wambuguh, Oscar, Doe, Sylvanus S. P., Peiter, Carlos C. and Villas Boas, Roberto C. (2009). How can revenues from natural resources extraction be more efficiently utilized for local sustainable development?. Natural Resources Forum, 33 (3), 247-247. doi: 10.1111/j.1477-8947.2009.01229.x
2009
Conference Publication
Stable, inert and contained: mine waste disposal and the sustainable development agenda
Franks, D., Boger, D., Cote, C. and Mulligan, D. (2009). Stable, inert and contained: mine waste disposal and the sustainable development agenda. First International Seminar on Environmental Issues in the Mining Industry, Santiago, Chile, 30 September - 2 October 2009. Santiago, Chile: Gecamin.
2009
Conference Publication
Surrounded by change - Collective strategies for managing the cumulative impacts of multiple mines
Franks, D., Brereton, D. and Moran, C. J. (2009). Surrounded by change - Collective strategies for managing the cumulative impacts of multiple mines. SDIMI 2009, Gold Coast, Australia, 6-8 July 2009. Carlton, Victoria Australia: Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy.
2009
Conference Publication
Avoiding mine-community conflict: From dialogue to shared futures
Franks, Daniel (2009). Avoiding mine-community conflict: From dialogue to shared futures. First International Seminar on Environmental Issues in the Mining Industry, Santiago, Chile, 30 September - 2 October 2009. Santiago, Chile: Gecamin.
2008
Conference Publication
Coal mining: managing the cumulative impacts of multiple mines on regional communities and environments in Australia
Franks, Daniel, Brereton, David and Moran, Chris J. (2008). Coal mining: managing the cumulative impacts of multiple mines on regional communities and environments in Australia. International Association for Impact Assessment, Assessing and Managing Cumulative Environmental Effects Special Topic Meeting, Calgary, Canada, 6-9 November 2008. Fargo, ND, United States: International Association for Impact Assessment (IAIA).
2007
Other Outputs
Consuming landscapes: Towards a political ecology of resource appropriation
Franks, Daniel M. (2007). Consuming landscapes: Towards a political ecology of resource appropriation. PhD Thesis, Griffith School of the Environment, Centre for Governance and Public Policy, Griffith University.
2007
Journal Article
Interdisciplinary foundations: Reflecting on interdisciplinarity and three decades of teaching and research at Griffith University, Australia
Franks, Daniel, Dale, Patricia, Hindmarsh, Richard, Fellows, Christine, Buckridge, Margaret and Cybinski, Patti (2007). Interdisciplinary foundations: Reflecting on interdisciplinarity and three decades of teaching and research at Griffith University, Australia. Studies in Higher Education, 32 (2), 167-185. doi: 10.1080/03075070701267228
2005
Journal Article
Pleading with the Emperor: Pax Americana and the Transformation of Environmental Governance
Franks, D and Mackenzie, J (2005). Pleading with the Emperor: Pax Americana and the Transformation of Environmental Governance. Griffith International Journal of the Environment, 1 (1).
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
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
Incorporating mineral security into multi-dimensional poverty assessments
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Lynda Lawson, Dr Paul Rogers
-
Doctor Philosophy
Low-carbon cement adoption in the Pacific
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Pratheep Kumar Annamalai
-
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
-
Doctor Philosophy
Lessons from company-community conflicts in mining.
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Deanna Kemp
-
Doctor Philosophy
The making of responsible cobalt
Associate Advisor
-
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
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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