MINE.IO WORKSHOP
Sustainable Mining Practices in the Future
November 21, 2024
About the Workshop
We are excited to invite you to an exclusive workshop on Sustainable Mining Practices in the Future, hosted as part of the MINE.IO project. This event will showcase innovative results from the project, providing key insights into how we will explore and mine critical raw materials in more sustainable ways.
The workshop will delve into cutting-edge technologies and methodologies that aim to revolutionize mining practices. You will have the opportunity to engage with experts and learn about technologies that will not only improve efficiency but also significantly reduce the environmental impact of the mining industry.
For those attending in person, the workshop will take place at Vetenskapens Hus, Storgatan 53, 972 31 Luleå, Sweden.
Participants joining online will receive all necessary information, including access details, via email after completing their registration.
We look forward to your participation in shaping the future of sustainable mining!
Register now
Agenda
We warmly invite you to join us for coffee and registration, providing an opportunity for informal conversations and preparation for the upcoming sessions of the event.
This session will be presented by the hosts of the event, Luleå University of Technology.
Pilot: Malaposta
Technologies: Muon detection systems, underwater robots, advanced data analysis
Finding new mineral resources is essential to maintaining our living standards. The increasing global demand calls for innovative sourcing methods. Compliance with sustainability throughout the mineral supply chain adds challenges to an already demanding exploration field.
MINE.IO contributes by developing new exploration concepts, such as using flooded mines. Technologies like autonomous underwater robots and muon telescopes help access hard-to-reach locations and gather data using muography, a passive geophysical technique that measures density through cosmic-ray muons.
This sustainable approach helps improve exploration efficiency, saving time and resources while supporting future mining operations and sustainability goals.
Summary: Discover how new subterranean exploration methods using muon detectors will transform how we explore critical resources. These innovations are set to improve efficiency, accuracy, and reduce the environmental footprint of exploration.
Benefits and Impacts: Future implementations of these technologies will significantly impact the exploration industry by enhancing the precision of resource discovery and reducing associated costs.
Pilot: Lavrion
Technologies: Drone monitoring systems, sensor integration, and data fusion
The Lavrion mine area is a designated Pilot Site for the MINE.IO Project. It features a “polluted soil landfill site,” constructed 20 years ago to isolate around 300,000 tons of heavily polluted soils. These soils contain high concentrations of iron, lead, zinc (over 10,000 mg/kg), and smaller amounts of arsenic, copper, manganese, and cadmium.
Using advanced methods like drone magnetometer, advanced satellite methods (e.g. InSAR), GPR and
hyperspectral cameras, the site is thoroughly characterized. Data on metal concentration, subsidence movements of the terrain, water intrusion and isolation layers are analyzed to support environmental management and assess potential metal recovery from the repository.
Summary: Explore how drone-based monitoring systems can be used to conduct real-time environmental risk assessments for mining tailings, helping to mitigate risks and enhance safety protocols.
Benefits and Impacts: These advancements will provide more accurate, real-time data, improving environmental safety measures across the industry.
Pilot: Pyhäsalmi, Finland
Technologies: Geophysical data acquisition system (Electrical Resistivity Imaging ERI and Seismics) for subsurface investigations in tailings facilities.
Learn about technologies in near surface geophysics, e.g., Electrical Resistivity Imaging (ERI) and Passive Seismics
Tomography, and their applications for subsurface investigations in tailings facilities. A pilot application at Pyhäsalmi mine in Finland.
Discover how to implement near real-time non-invasive technologies for data acquisition and subsurface mapping for continuous monitoring of tailings facilities, enabling early detection of structural risks and hydrological conditions.
Adopting advanced waste management practices will contribute to reliable operations of tailings facilities and improve environmental compliance, operational safety, and resource efficiency, ensuring more sustainable and resilient mining operations.
The digitalisation of these technologies in the MINE.IO project will allow for more robust and transparent management systems for mining tailings.
Summary: Discover how to implement near real-time mapping and monitoring technologies for the continuous surveillance of tailings facilities, enabling early detection of structural risks and failures. Learn about advanced waste management practices that improve environmental compliance, operational safety, and resource efficiency, ensuring more sustainable and resilient mining operations.
Benefits and Impacts: This will contribute to transparent risk assessments for securing liability insurance with risk-adequate terms, ensuring reliable operations of tailings facilities.
A break to enjoy a meal, relax, and continue networking with other participants in an informal setting.
Pilot: Freiberg
Technologies: Data integration, MINE.IO platform
Digitisation and data analysis are a key enabling technology in mining. The mining industry has to address the imperative need to provide system interoperability and technologies integration, converging Information Technology (IT) and Operation Technology (OT).
Many mining devices lack intelligence, but by retrofitting them with sensors and enabling real-time data processing, they can be integrated into digital infrastructures. In the TUBAF Pilot, we are trying to bridge the gap between the extraction drill rig (OT) and data-driven decision-making (IT), aiming to establish an efficient integrated operational environment.
Within the European-funded project MINE.IO, a Sandvik DE110 exploration drill rig is being digitised using various AI algorithms at the Research and Education Mine Reiche Zeche of TU Freiberg. The aim is to increase the productivity of drilling with real-time evaluation of the current rock to be drilled and the current maintenance
status of the drill rig.
Summary: Discover how advanced data management platforms like Mine.IO are helping the mining industry collect, integrate, and analyze data more efficiently, unlocking new opportunities for value creation.
Benefits and Impacts: This approach significantly reduces the cost of data integration projects, improving operational decision-making and enabling smarter, data-driven mining processes.
An interactive session encouraging participants to share insights, ask questions, and engage in a collaborative exchange of ideas related to the topics covered during the workshop.
A chance to relax, network, and recharge, providing an informal setting for continued conversations and connections.
A brief farewell to conclude the event, with closing remarks and a thank you to all participants for their involvement.
Meet the speakers
Paula Lima (PhD) is a Marine Biologist with a specialization in Aquaculture and work experience in Biomedical Engineering and in the last years in Marine Robotics. In 2017, she joined INESC TEC assistant researcher and project manager. Since 2020 she is also a Industry-research liaison officer at TEC4SEA (INESC TEC’s strategy for Marine Science).
Dr Vasileios Protonotarios, MSc is an active researcher/engineer/consultant for the last 24 years in the field of Environmental Technology, Waste Management and Chemical Engineering with special experience and skills in the field of solid waste management (including C&D and Hazardous Waste), recycling, soil remediation, brownfield site/quarries reclamation and risk assessment. He has conducted over 200 Environmental Impact Assessments (EIA), Life Cycle Assessments (LCA) and other Technical Essays for the Industrial Sector, Technical Companies, Public Authorities and individuals. He has 29 publications in peer – reviewed journals and international conferences and some 600 citations. Dr. Protonotarios has participated in more than 20 research projects as main researcher, most of them in the field of waste management, recycling and brownfields restoration. Finally, he possesses a significant experience in laboratory analyses and handling of Special Chemical Laboratory Equipment. In 2015 he founded ENVITERRA P.C. (MME), bringing together specialized engineers and specialist scientists, with a long-term study and scientific career. The main objective is to provide high level Technical Consultancy, Study & Research Services to Industries, Technical Companies, Public Sector, Universities (national and international), NGOs, private individuals etc.
Dr Raul Mollehuara Canales (PhD-MSc-PEng(Chem)-PMI PMP®) is a Researcher at Oulu Mining School – University of Oulu, Finland. With over 20 years of experience in the mining industry in Peru and Australia, he has worked on Operations and Projects involving mineral processing, mine water treatment, mining waste management, environmental rehabilitation, and mine closure. His current R&D activities include developing innovative systems for characterising and monitoring low-grade ore and mine side-streams (incl. tailings facilities) applying digitalised geophysics and multi-source data fusion.
Max Friedemann received his Master in mechanical engineering in 2021. Afterwards he started to work as a research assistant at the chair for underground mining methods at TU Freiberg. Since 2021 he is working on digitalization strategies for underground mining. His first project was the development of a decentralized communication and data acquisition system. In 2023 the European funded project Mine.io started in which Max is working as project manager as well as developer for the sub-project “digitization of the drill rig”.
Dimitris Kassimis holds a Diploma in Business Economics, and a MSc in Technologies and Services for Intelligent Information and Communication Systems. He has more than 15 years experience in IT projects for the banking Industry and in nationally-funded projects. Dimitris Kassimis combines business acumen with project management skills, having participated as a project manager in various research projects, including recent projects HEU ONELAB – Medical laboratory technology (Project Reference 101073924), HEU ODYSSEUS – Unobtrusive Technologies for Secure and Seamless Border Crossing for Travel Facilitation (Project Reference 101073910), and HEU URBREATH – Nature-based Solution for Climate Neutrality improvement (Project Reference 101139711).
Mario Arancibia is an experienced geologist with a strong background in mineral deposits and project development, specializing in copper, gold and base metal mineral exploration across diverse geological scenarios such as Chile, Perú, Argentina, Panama and Canada. His career spans over 17 years in key roles with major mining companies where he led exploration and drilling programs, mine support, and technological implementations. Currently part of Muon Solutions Oy in Finland, Mario leads the development of innovative geoscience projects and provides technical expertise in applied technologies.
Cristina Sáez Blázquez is PhD in new geotechnologies and Technical Mining Engineer and Engineer in Mining and Energy Technology from the University of Salamanca. She is Co-Author of more than 50 articles in impact scientific journals and conferences in International Congresses and participant in the development of energy calculation patents. Also noteworthy are the research stays at the University of Turin and the University of Padua. She is currently a Ramón y Cajal researcher at the University of Salamanca and develops her activity within the energy branch of the TIDOP Research Group. In addition to his research activity, he regularly serves as a member of committees and reviewer of scientific publications.
Learn more about the MINE.IO project
Let’s dive into the world of MINE.IO and explore together the exciting innovations we’re working on
Last Year’s Edition Recap
The inaugural MINE.IO Workshop, held on October 20, 2023, was a resounding success. It brought together over 60 participants from around the globe, including end users, industry representatives, technology service providers, scientists, and business managers in the mining sector. The discussions centered on pressing challenges such as sustainability, safety, automation, and digitalization in mining.
Our participants engaged deeply with the presented pilots, making the workshop a significant platform for sharing knowledge and innovative solutions. The event highlighted the potential of Industry 4.0 technologies, including AI, to foster safer, more efficient, and sustainable mining operations, thereby setting a benchmark for future practices in the industry
Check out our 2023 WORKSHOP summary
Before the next workshop, take some time to review what we discussed about the project during the previous edition.
Read more in our Awareness Campaign
When Tech Meets Terra: MINE.IO’s Quest for Responsible Mining Innovation
MINE.IO Impact: Real-World Use-Cases Transforming Mining
The Transformative Potential of MINE.IO: A Recap of Our First Workshop
Your feedback is incredibly valuable to us!
Please leave a comment on our page and share which topics you would like to explore during the upcoming MINE.IO workshop—your suggestions will help us create an even more engaging and tailored event for you.
4 responses to “2024 Workshop”
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Very interesting articles and interesting comments from the last workshop. I would like to ask if the next workshop will be remote or local and possibly if local is the location already known?
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The 2024 workshop will take place on November 21st, 2024. We invite you to register and review the event agenda!
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Hello, I am in the US. Do you offer a recording?
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Thank you for your interest in our workshop!
As for the full recording, we are unlikely to make it available.
However, we will post a comprehensive summary of the event on our dedicated workshop website (this page) and on the project’s social media.
Presentations, discussion summaries, video reports, photos, etc. will also be available.
We will keep you updated on our social media on the availability of these materials.Best regards,
The Mine.io Communications Team
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