Digital and innovative mine of the future

ongoing

Although raw materials are of strategic importance for the European economy in key exponentially growing value chains such as the energy transition where Europe should strengthen its resilience, independence, and competitiveness, European mining operators fail to meet the demand, as they suffer from low productivity, poor waste management, resource-intensity and the consequent environmental impacts. To meet the ever-increasing demand and negative market prospects, while mitigating the environmental and societal impacts, the mining industry needs a drastic transformation. In this context, DINAMINE aims to demonstrate a holistic mine management approach, based on (i) artificial intelligence-based data analytics tools for real-time mine-to-port monitoring of the risks, performance, environmental footprint, maintenance needs, product quality and recovery rates, (ii) machine automation and robotization strategies to enhance safety and productivity, (iii) on-site studies to identify best practices for carbon neutral logistics/transportation, more energy-efficient processing, and waste/tailings handling and valorisation. Our goal is to propose tools that enable a smarter, more efficient, more selective, safer and more sustainable mining industry, with a specific focus on European SMEs. Technologies developed will be upscaled and tested, and studies performed in 2 small-medium scale European mining operations: one open-pit feldspar mine (Portugal), and one underground graphite mine (Norway) and their associated processing plants. The project is brought forward by a high-level industry-led multidisciplinary consortium of 11 partners from 6 European countries, including 3 research institutes, and 6 industries (including 4 SMEs). Via increased selectivity and productivity, DINAMINE will bring several impacts for EU and global mines, helping them to improve their IRR and ultimately contribute to an increase in EU raw materials security of supply.