MINE.IO Workshop 2024 – Innovation and Sustainability in Mining

On November 21, 2024, the second edition of the hybrid MINE.IO Workshop took place. We met in Luleå, where we were hosted by Luleå University of Technology, as well as online, allowing for a broad audience of approximately 100 participants. This exceptional event brought together experts from the mining industry and those interested in technological innovations in resource exploration and management.

Speakers included experts and specialists working on the project with the consortium:
– Vasileios Protonotarios
– Raul Mollehuara Canales
– Max Friedemann
– Dimitris Kassimis
– Mario Arancibia
– Paula Lima
– Cristina Sáez Blázquez

The workshop began with an overview of the MINE.IO project, presented by Marek Kościelski and Jan Nemi. Marek not only introduced the project’s key objectives but also excellently coordinated all presentations and panel discussions. Using the Mentimeter platform, participants actively engaged by asking questions, fostering meaningful discussions and knowledge exchange.

Key Workshop Themes

1. Sustainable Exploration – A New Paradigm in Exploration
   Expert/Presenter: Mario Arancibia (Muon Solutions Ltd)
   
   Finding new mineral resources is becoming increasingly challenging due to rising global demand and sustainability requirements. The MINE.IO project is advancing innovative exploration methods, such as repurposing flooded mines, deploying autonomous underwater robots, and using muon telescopes. The use of muography, a technique for density mapping, enhances exploration efficiency and supports sustainable mining practices.
   
   
2. Environmental Management – Advanced Risk Assessments
   Expert/Presenter: Dr Vasileios T. Protonotarios, Chemical Engineer PhD, MSc (AMDC)
   
   The Lavrion mine site in Greece serves as a pilot area for the MINE.IO project, hosting over 300,000 tons of polluted soils. Advanced technologies, such as drone magnetometers, GPR, and hyperspectral cameras, were used to analyze metal concentrations, ground subsidence, and water intrusion. These efforts aim to support environmental management and evaluate the potential for metal recovery from waste repositories.
   
   
3. Reliable Surveillance Operations – Advanced Waste Monitoring
   Expert/Presenter: Dr Raul Mollehuara Canales (OULU)
   
   Near-surface geophysical techniques, such as Electrical Resistivity Imaging (ERI) and Passive Seismic Tomography, were applied to monitor tailings facilities at the Pyhäsalmi mine in Finland. Real-time data collection and digital analysis enable early detection of structural risks, improving safety and operational efficiency while promoting sustainable waste management practices.
   
   
4. Data Management in Future Mines – Maximizing Digitization
   Expert/Presenter: Dimitris Kassimis (Innov-acts) and Max Friedemann (TUBAF)
   
   Digitalization and the integration of IT and OT systems are essential for the future of mining. In the TUBAF pilot project, a Sandvik DE110 drilling rig was retrofitted with sensors and AI algorithms to enable real-time analysis of the drilling process and equipment condition. This innovative approach enhances productivity and supports data-driven decision-making in mining operations.

Exhibition

In between sessions, there was time to view a video that highlighted selected technologies being developed within MINE.IO. The exhibition included a demonstration of the test use of drones equipped with hyperspectral cameras, which, combined with advanced drone magnetometry and advanced satellite methods (e.g. InSAR) and GPR, allowed for the accurate characterisation of the area of waste deposits surveyed at the Lavrion pilot site. This technology allows data on metal concentrations to be collected, land subsidence movements, water ingress, and the condition of the containment layers to be assessed. The data collected in the relevant repositories can be subjected to advanced analysis to support environmental management and risk assessment.

Networking

Despite the intensive and exhaustive workshop, there was time for interesting backstage discussions during the breaks.

Workshop Takeaways

The second edition of the MINE.IO Workshop, held on November 21, 2024, in Luleå at the invitation of Luleå University of Technology, demonstrated how the combination of interdisciplinary expertise and advanced technologies creates new opportunities in resource exploration and environmental management. Thanks to the engagement of experts, the event provided inspiration and practical solutions for the future of the mining industry. We eagerly look forward to future editions and continued progress in this ambitious project.

Keep an eye on our workshop page, we will soon be posting more material from the summaries of the various thematic sessions: https://mineio-horizon.eu/2024_workshop/