During RP1, the BLOOM project implemented the activities defined in Annex 1 (DoA – Part B), focusing on establishing the scientific, technological and operational foundations required for the development and future validation of the project’s advanced mineral sensing, process optimisation and extraction planning technologies. The work progressed from mineralogical characterization and laboratory-scale process investigations towards sensor development, pilot engineering, digital tool preparation and innovation management activities.
WP1 focused on establishing the mineralogical, metallurgical and process baseline required for the BLOOM technologies. Representative materials supplied by the industrial partners MAT, CLC, HUD, CAP and TAU were incorporated into the project framework, covering both Cu-Zn and Ta-Nb value chains. Extensive mineralogical investigations, including PSD, XRF, XRD and MLA analyses, were carried out to characterise ore variability, mineral associations and liberation behaviour. Laboratory campaigns evaluated comminution performance, mineral liberation characteristics, flotation response and process performance under representative operating conditions. The work generated experimental process datasets linking particle size distribution, energy consumption, mineral liberation, grade and recovery, while also defining the requirements for the MLA-LIBS sensing system, techno-economic assessment tools and pilot plant operation. These activities established the reference framework required for subsequent technology development and validation.
WP2 focused on the development of the BLOOM mineralogical sensing platform. Activities included the adaptation and structuring of the mineralogical database, definition of industrial and technical requirements for the MLA-LIBS system, development of analytical workflows and engineering of the modular analysis platform. The work also addressed system architecture, automation requirements, communication interfaces and safety considerations required for future integration into the pilot plant. Together, these activities established the foundations for advanced mineral characterization and future real-time process monitoring.
WP3 delivered the engineering and design of the BLOOM containerised pilot plant. Process flowsheets were developed based on the results generated in WP1 and on the representative processing routes associated with the industrial case studies provided by MAT, CLC, HUD, CAP and TAU. Equipment selection, process integration strategies and operational layouts were completed to ensure compatibility with the different CRM materials and future validation campaigns. The resulting design was successfully implemented through the construction and integration of the containerised pilot plant, establishing the infrastructure required for subsequent demonstration activities.
WP9 established the communication, dissemination, clustering and innovation management framework of the project. Activities included the identification of Key Exploitable Results (KERs), stakeholder mapping, clustering actions and the preparation of exploitation and innovation management plans supporting future uptake and deployment of BLOOM technologies.
In parallel, WP12 ensured effective technical, administrative and financial coordination of the consortium, including risk monitoring, quality assurance, project reporting and overall implementation management.
Overall, RP1 established the technical, experimental, digital and engineering foundations required for the transition towards system integration, pilot implementation and demonstration activities planned for the subsequent reporting periods. At Month 18 of 48, project implementation remains aligned with the objectives, expected outcomes and technological roadmap defined in the Grant Agreement, with the key enabling datasets, system requirements and pilot design activities successfully completed.
