Project description
Sustainable exploration for orthomagmatic CRMs
Critical raw materials (CRMs) are crucial to Europe’s green energy transition. Orthomagmatic mineral systems host important green transition (critical) raw materials (GTRM) including Ni, Cu, Co, V, Ti, Cr, and platinum-group elements (PGE). Although the EU has the potential for more mines in several member states, there are currently only 2 mines in operation. The EU-funded SEMACRET project will conduct research in Finland, Portugal, Poland, and Czechia to develop socially and environmentally sustainable means of exploration for orthomagmatic CRMs. The project will apply, for the first time in the EU, the mineral systems approach to guide exploration for orthomagmatic CRMs and generate improved ore models for orthomagmatic mineral deposits.
Objective
Critical raw materials (CRMs) are fundamental to the EU industrial value chains and strategic sectors, particularly with regard to the green energy transition. Currently, the EU domestic supply of primary CRMs is below 3% for many important commodities. To obtain an improved understanding of the EU?s critical raw materials potential, discover new ore deposits and thereby increase the internal sourcing of CRMs and secure its raw materials autonomy, the EU aims to boost the exploration and production of CRMs. Orthomagmatic mineral systems host important green transition (critical) raw materials (GTRM) including Ni, Cu, Co, V, Ti, Cr and platinum-group elements (PGE). There are currently only 2 mines in operation producing these metals in the EU, though there is potential for additional mines in several EU countries. This project is designed to develop socially and environmentally sustainable means of exploration for orthomagmatic CRMs. We will apply, for the first time in the EU, the Mineral Systems Approach to guide exploration for orthomagmatic CRMs. We will thereby generate improved ore models for orthomagmatic mineral deposits which will be translated to mappable exploration criteria to delineate areas of high exploration potential, from regional scale to local scale. Through collaboration between geosciences and social sciences the project will also develop methods to promote social awareness of the importance of responsible exploration and mining. Further, we will map the exploration and production potential of CRM in the EU and key CRM supplier countries. Our research will be conducted at five reference sites in Finland, Portugal, Poland and the Czech Republic representing different geological, social and environmental conditions. The ultimate goal is to promote responsible sourcing of CRMs in the EU and diversify the supply from third countries, thereby securing the continued supply of CRMs for EU industries.
Fields of science
Programme(s)
Funding Scheme
HORIZON-RIA - HORIZON Research and Innovation ActionsCoordinator
90014 Oulu
Finland
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Participants (16)
1749 016 Lisbon
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Legal entity other than a subcontractor which is affiliated or legally linked to a participant. The entity carries out work under the conditions laid down in the Grant Agreement, supplies goods or provides services for the action, but did not sign the Grant Agreement. A third party abides by the rules applicable to its related participant under the Grant Agreement with regard to eligibility of costs and control of expenditure.
1749-016 Lisboa
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11821 Prague 1
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00975 Warszawa
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75794 Paris
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1040 Wien
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01328 Dresden
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07751 Jena
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The organization defined itself as SME (small and medium-sized enterprise) at the time the Grant Agreement was signed.
8240 Risskov
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The organization defined itself as SME (small and medium-sized enterprise) at the time the Grant Agreement was signed.
70211 KUOPIO
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20122 Milano
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21600 Valverde Del Camino
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The organization defined itself as SME (small and medium-sized enterprise) at the time the Grant Agreement was signed.
9300 Bloemfontein
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33211 Tampere
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28042 Madrid
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01530 Vantaa
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The organization defined itself as SME (small and medium-sized enterprise) at the time the Grant Agreement was signed.
Partners (2)
Partner organisations contribute to the implementation of the action, but do not sign the Grant Agreement.
CF24 0DE Cardiff
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Partner organisations contribute to the implementation of the action, but do not sign the Grant Agreement.
SW7 2AZ LONDON
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