Pioneering Sustainable CRM Recovery in European Mining
Europe’s mining industry is facing a major challenge: the need to efficiently and sustainably recover Critical Raw Materials (CRMs) from increasingly complex and low-grade ores. The OPTIMINER project provides a comprehensive, AI-driven solution, integrating cutting-edge technologies and digital tools to optimize CRM recovery while minimizing environmental impact.
- REMINER – Pioneering CRM recovery technologies, including smart ore sorting, membrane-based hydrometallurgical processes, bioleaching, and phytomining. These technologies will be available via an AI-enabled CRM Recovery Selector, offering tailored solutions to the extractive industry.
- DIGIMINER – A next-generation digital platform for smart monitoring and control, featuring a Decision Support System (DSS), an AI-powered Virtual Miner assistant, and Digital Twins to optimize pilot plant productivity and enable real-time simulations.
- ECOMINER – Enhancing sustainability and resilience by optimizing energy and water usage, improving waste valorization, and incorporating toxicity management and Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) strategies. The platform will also include an AI-enabled Market Observatory to support financial sustainability.
- DEMOMINER – Real-world validation of CRM recovery technologies through pilot lines in Spain, Greece, Poland, Finland, and Chile. The project will focus on key CRMs, including magnesium, tungsten, rare earth elements (esp. neodymium), copper, cobalt, and coking coal.
- GLOBEMINER – Driving awareness and fostering market uptake of innovative CRM recovery solutions, with a strong emphasis on EU-Chile strategic cooperation to enhance global collaboration.
By integrating advanced mining technologies, AI-driven digital solutions, and sustainable resource management, OPTIMINER is set to revolutionize CRM recovery, ensuring a greener, more resilient, and competitive European mining sector.
