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Multiscale observation services for mining-related deposits

Project description

Advanced monitoring of mining waste

Mining activities generate residue such as rock waste and tailings, which pose environmental and safety risks. Managing these materials, especially regarding stability and pollution control, is challenging. Traditional monitoring methods often fail to integrate advanced technologies. With this in mind, the EU-funded MOSMIN project will develop comprehensive monitoring services. Using Earth observation data from Copernicus combined with data from aerial drones and in-situ geophysical sensors, the project will holistically monitor deformation and environmental hazards. Moreover, it will leverage multi-scale, multi-source integration to enhance resolution, accuracy, and interpretability. Through collaborations with mining companies, MOSMIN will trial its solutions globally, aiming to improve monitoring efficiency, mitigate risks, and maximise resource use.

Objective

Our society is highly dependent on raw materials, which are currently mainly sourced by mining. Mining activities generate residues such as rock wastes, tailings and stockpiles. These materials are associated with environmental and safety risks that need to be carefully managed throughout their life cycle, with an emphasis on stability and the prevention of water and soil pollution. Earth-observation (EO)-based techniques are seldom used for monitoring these deposits, and multi-sensor field data is commonly not integrated despite recent technological advances. MOSMIN will develop holistic, full-site services for the geotechnical and environmental monitoring as well as valorisation of mining-related deposits based on a combination of EO and in situ geophysical data. We will use Copernicus EO data for large-scale monitoring of ground deformation and surface composition. Innovative change detection algorithms will highlight displacements and identify environmental hazards. Satellite data will be integrated with real-time, high-resolution data obtained from unoccupied aerial vehicles and sensors installed at the site, leveraging the power of machine learning for fusion and resolution enhancement of multi-scale, multi-source data. Novel, non-invasive geophysical techniques such as distributed fibre-optic sensing will provide subsurface information to identify resource potential, and risks such as internal deformation and seepage. In collaboration with international mining companies, MOSMIN will use pilot sites in the EU, South America, and Africa to develop and trial comprehensive monitoring services, which are calculated to have a Total Available Market of 1.2bn and expect to be commercialised shortly after project completion by three industry partners. The MOSMIN integrative service and tools will improve the efficiency and reliability of monitoring, maximise resource utilisation and help mitigate environmental risks and the impact of mining operations.

Programme(s)

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Topic(s)

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Funding Scheme

Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.

HORIZON-IA - HORIZON Innovation Actions

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Call for proposal

Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.

(opens in new window) HORIZON-EUSPA-2022-SPACE

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Coordinator

HELMHOLTZ-ZENTRUM DRESDEN-ROSSENDORF EV
Net EU contribution

Net EU financial contribution. The sum of money that the participant receives, deducted by the EU contribution to its linked third party. It considers the distribution of the EU financial contribution between direct beneficiaries of the project and other types of participants, like third-party participants.

€ 739 000,00
Address
BAUTZNER LANDSTRASSE 400
01328 Dresden
Germany

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Region
Sachsen Dresden Dresden, Kreisfreie Stadt
Activity type
Research Organisations
Links
Total cost

The total costs incurred by this organisation to participate in the project, including direct and indirect costs. This amount is a subset of the overall project budget.

€ 739 000,00

Participants (7)

Partners (4)

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