Objective
The BOREAS project aims to revolutionise how Europe secures vital raw materials for its green transition and technological independence. Europe is highly dependent on imports of magnesium and molybdenum, key elements for lightweight alloys in electric vehicles, renewable energy, and aerospace. Most magnesium comes from China, and Europe has no domestic molybdenum mining. This creates supply risks and vulnerability to global disruptions.
BOREAS focuses on the Malmbjerg project in Greenland, home to one of the world’s largest untapped molybdenum deposits, with significant magnesium by-products. However, mining in the Arctic is extremely challenging due to harsh weather, fragile ecosystems, and high costs. A major problem is ore contamination: iron oxides and sulfides coat valuable minerals, reducing recovery rates and increasing environmental risks like acid rock drainage.
To address this, BOREAS will deploy fleets of autonomous aerial and ground robots equipped with advanced sensors. These robots will map, monitor, and selectively remove contaminant layers before they degrade ore quality. All data will feed into a real-time “digital twin”, a virtual model of the mine that predicts contamination, guides operations, and ensures environmental compliance. The project embeds sustainability and transparency at every step, using real-time environmental monitoring and life cycle assessment to minimise impact and build trust with stakeholders.
By piloting these technologies at Malmbjerg, BOREAS will set a new standard for sustainable, traceable, and efficient mining in sensitive environments. The goal is to secure a reliable European supply of critical materials, reduce dependence on imports, and demonstrate a model for responsible resource extraction that can be replicated worldwide.
Fields of science (EuroSciVoc)
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: The European Science Vocabulary.
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: The European Science Vocabulary.
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Keywords
Project’s keywords as indicated by the project coordinator. Not to be confused with the EuroSciVoc taxonomy (Fields of science)
Project’s keywords as indicated by the project coordinator. Not to be confused with the EuroSciVoc taxonomy (Fields of science)
Programme(s)
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
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HORIZON.2.4 - Digital, Industry and Space
MAIN PROGRAMME
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HORIZON.2.4.4 - Advanced Materials
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Topic(s)
Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
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.
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.
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
(opens in new window) HORIZON-CL4-2025-01
See all projects funded under this callCoordinator
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.
971 87 LULEA
Sweden
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.