The mining industry contributes 2-3% of global CO2 emissions and has a prominent role to play in emissions reduction. Within the industry, much of the focus to date has been on portfolio shifts, i.e. divestment of coal assets. However, the industry is facing increasing pressure from regulators, investors, and customers to decarbonize operations. The XTRACT project, launched in December 2023, is set to revolutionise the mining industry with its pioneering approach towards achieving the Zero Emission Mine of the Future. This ambitious three-year Horizon Europe-funded initiative brings together 14 partner organisations from 9 European countries. The aim of this project is to add a highly innovative new alternative to the toolbox of how stockpiles and tailings are assessed, relieving the pressure on resources, and contributing to the realisation of EU Climate Neutrality Goals, with a significant benefit of emission reduction. XTRACT also aims to introduce low-TRL green technologies of biohydrometallurgy and phytoremediation, particularly appropriate for low-grade ores, mining waste piles and abandoned sites that represent a solution for mine waste remediation but also for the extraction and recovery of various critical and strategic metals.
Key Innovations
- Automation and Precision Mining: Introducing automation in mineral prospecting and extraction, and the novel concept of precision mining for selective recovery of valuable metals from low-grade minerals and mine wastes.
- Remote Sensing and Monitoring: Scaling and deploying remote sensing systems and analytical resources to allow systematic and remote monitoring of “hard-to-access” mining sites and waste deposits.
- Green Technologies: Introducing low-TRL green technologies of biohydrometallurgy (in situ -bioleaching, phytomining and phytoremediation), particularly appropriate for low-grade ores, mining waste piles and abandoned sites, using microorganisms, trees and hyperaccumulator plants.
- Resource Utilization of Tailings: Adding a highly innovative new alternative to the toolbox of how stockpiles and tailings are assessed, leading to more accurate resource estimates, better process design, improved waste management, more accurate financial planning, and improved safety.
Through its groundbreaking work, the XTRACT project is set to make a significant impact on the mining industry, contributing to the EU’s sustainability goals and setting a new standard for resource recovery and environmental stewardship. By addressing the challenges of sustainable mining, XTRACT aims to pave the way for a greener, more efficient future in resource extraction.
