GOLDENRAM - EO PLATFORM SUPPORTING CRITICAL RAW MATERIALS INDUSTRY IN EUROPE

Project Information

GoldenRAM

Grant agreement ID: 101138153

DOI

10.3030/101138153

EC signature date 5 December 2023

Start date 1 January 2024

End date 31 December 2026

Funded under

• Digital, Industry and Space

Total cost

No data

EU contribution

€ 6 660 647,74

Coordinated by

TEKNOLOGIAN TUTKIMUSKESKUS VTT OY
Finland

Periodic Reporting for period 1 - GoldenRAM (GOLDENRAM - EO PLATFORM SUPPORTING CRITICAL RAW MATERIALS INDUSTRY IN EUROPE)

Reporting period: 2024-01-01 to 2025-06-30

Summary of the context and overall objectives of the project

The GoldenRAM (G-RAM) project will develop a platform providing easy exchange of accurate information on raw materials in the European Union and partnering countries, addressing the needs of the public, research and mining industry organizations. The platform includes multidisciplinary modules called artificial intelligence knowledge packs (AIKPs) that make use of multiscale earth observation (EO) data from satellites, drones flights and proximal sensors to produce actionable information for the different users in the fields of exploration, mining operations and safety as well as environmental impact and mining assessment. The project will also increase the raw material investment potential for Ukraine by promoting exploitation prospects via the platform therefore supporting implementation of the Roadmap for EU-Ukraine Strategic Partnership on raw materials. The results of the project will be demonstrated in 6 field trials in Finland (2 sites), Sweden, Romania, Ukraine, and Portugal creating a compelling value proposition for implementation across the mining industry value chains and improving responsible and sustainable supply of CRMs: Co, Li, REE, P; PGMs Pd and Pt; as well as Cu and Ni to Europe.

The primary objective of the GoldenRAM project is to enhance the digital presence and operational efficiency of the critical raw materials (CRM) industry in Europe. The project aims to address several key challenges faced by the CRM industry, including the need for improved exploration techniques, better environmental monitoring, and enhanced operational safety.

The pathway to impact includes the development of a comprehensive digital platform that provides actionable insights for the CRM industry. This platform will facilitate better decision-making, improve resource management, and enhance the overall sustainability of mining operations. More specifically, in case of environmental monitoring, this include implementing early warning systems for water quality, groundwater levels, acid mine drainage, and biodiversity impacts. In improving mapping technologies this include creating tools for mineral prospectivity, tailing dam and open pit stability, and vegetation and water quality impact assessment. An important part is establishing continuous data acquisition and processing pipelines from various sources. The AIKP's developed in this project are tested and validated at six pilot sites across Europe.

The communication and dissemination strategy of the GoldenRAM project is designed to maximize the impact of project activities.

Work performed from the beginning of the project to the end of the period covered by the report and main results achieved so far

In the beginning of the project the activities included comprehensive market, technological, economic, policy aspects, as well as high-level and application-level analyses. Internal stakeholder and customer feedback were also collected.

Activities related to the G-RAM platform development included development of techno/economical specifications and service verification and validation procedures. Also, the integrated G-RAM data and services platform was established and multi-tenant deployment model was defined.

The project focused on developing AIKPs for various applications. These AIKPs were designed to enhance the efficiency and accuracy of mining operations. Extensive data acquisition campaigns were conducted in six pilot sites across Europe, including the collection of Earth Observation (EO) data, in-situ measurements, and drone imagery. These datasets were crucial for developing and validating the AIKPs. The validation process is ongoing, with more AIKPs to be developed and tested in the second reporting period. Several AIKPs have been already tested and integrated onto GoldenRAM platform ahead of expected time.

Activities involved developing a comprehensive IP and commercialization strategy for the GoldenRAM platform. Additionally, legal issues related to Earth Observation data and software tools have been addressed. This work is crucial for the successful dissemination and exploitation of the project's results, ultimately contributing to the project's overall impact and sustainability.

Progress beyond the state of the art and expected potential impact (including the socio-economic impact and the wider societal implications of the project so far)

The project successfully completed a comprehensive analysis of market, technological, economic, and policy aspects. High-level and application-level analyses were completed, defining market size, identifying key competitors, and validating market potential through industry interviews. User requirements were gathered for mineral mapping, stability monitoring, and environmental applications. Preliminary financial models and pricing strategies were developed.

Internal stakeholder feedback was successfully gathered and analyzed, creating over 30 detailed User Requirement tables. The analysis provided a robust blueprint for the technical development of the G-RAM platform’s services and for shaping the commercialisation and business models in future work packages.

An extensive stakeholder list was created, and initial analysis of customer feedback was planned to provide valuable insights

Comprehensive technical and commercial specifications and service design for the GoldenRAM platform were developed. Deliverables included detailed blueprints for a scalable, secure, and standards-compliant geospatial platform, high-level service design, and service verification and validation procedure. The integrated G-RAM data and services platform was established.

Generic AI tools for mineral prospectivity assessment were developed, specified and implemented prototype AIKPs, and collected EO and in-situ data for demonstration. Significant results included the successful definition of data infrastructure and interface concepts, and the modular structure of tools allowing for easy expansion and adaptation In addition, prototype AIKPs for production, operations, and safety applications in mining were specified, developed, and implemented Seven AIKPs were ready for demonstration and verification in the operational platform environment. Significant results included the development of prototype algorithms and the collection of EO and in-situ data.

AIKP prototypes for environmental monitoring were specified, developed, and implemented . Four AIKPs had a Minimum Working Prototype (MWP) on the GoldenRAM sandbox environment, and the other four thematic AIKPs were prototyped outside the platform. Significant results included the design and specification of all AIKPs and the implementation of MWPs. In addition, the GoldenRAM platform was provided with access to geospatial databases and web applications related to Ukrainian CRM occurrences. Significant results included the creation of geodatabases, the development of REST API endpoints for data exchange, and the successful uploading of data to the GoldenRAM platform.

The IP/Commercialization Plan was development, prepared legal documentation, and supported commercialization readiness. The dissemination and communication activities laid the groundwork for GoldenRAM’s visibility, stakeholder engagement, and long-term impact. Significant results included the development of a comprehensive communication strategy, the creation of high-impact materials, and the successful implementation of outreach activities. The initial exploitation strategy identified three Key Exploitable Results and established exploitation pathways.