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New geomodels to explore deeper for High-Technology critical raw materials in Alkaline rocks and Carbonatites

Objective

Five of the 20 raw materials identified by the European Commission as critical are commonly found in association with alkaline rocks and carbonatites (heavy and light rare earth elements, niobium, fluorspar, and phosphate). Other elements increasingly important for ‘hi-tech’ applications, and found in these rocks include hafnium (Hf), tantalum (Ta), scandium (Sc) and zirconium (Zr). In fact, there is a greater chance of a carbonatite complex having resources economic to mine than any other rock type (about 20 active mines in ca. 500 known carbonatite complexes).

Less than 3% of critical raw materials supply is indigenous to the EU. However, deposits are known and exploration is ongoing in parts of northern Europe. In central and southern Europe the presence of abundant alkaline volcanic rocks indicates the likelihood that deposits exist within about a km of the surface.
This project will make a step-change in exploration models for alkaline and carbonatite provinces, using mineralogy, petrology, and geochemistry, and state-of-the-art interpretation of high resolution geophysics and downhole measurement tools, to make robust predictions about mineral prospectivity at depth. This will be achieved through studies at seven key natural laboratories, combined with Expert Council workshops. The results will be incorporated into new geomodels on multiple scales.

In contrast to known deposits, Europe is well endowed with expertise. The project brings together industry partners involved in exploration, geophysics and environmental assessment with two geological surveys, a major museum and five universities. The results will make Europe the world leader in this specialist area. They will give the four SME industry partners world-leading expertise to develop and expand their businesses, transferring their business expertise from Africa to Europe. The project will help give European ‘hi-tech’ industry the confidence to innovate in manufacturing using critical raw materials.

Call for proposal

H2020-SC5-2014-2015

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Sub call

H2020-SC5-2015-one-stage

Coordinator

THE UNIVERSITY OF EXETER
Net EU contribution
€ 1 540 425,51
Address
The Queen's Drive Northcote House
EX4 4QJ Exeter
United Kingdom

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Region
South West (England) Devon Devon CC
Activity type
Higher or Secondary Education Establishments
Other funding
€ 0,00

Participants (12)

GEO-AFRICA PROSPECTING SERVICES CC
Namibia
Net EU contribution
€ 237 010,00
Address
23 Schanzenweg Eros
9000 Windhoek

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SME

The organization defined itself as SME (small and medium-sized enterprise) at the time the Grant Agreement was signed.

Yes
Activity type
Private for-profit entities (excluding Higher or Secondary Education Establishments)
Other funding
€ 0,00
UNITED KINGDOM RESEARCH AND INNOVATION
United Kingdom
Net EU contribution
€ 386 237,50
Address
Polaris House North Star Avenue
SN2 1FL Swindon

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Region
South West (England) Gloucestershire, Wiltshire and Bristol/Bath area Swindon
Activity type
Research Organisations
Other funding
€ 0,00
TERRATEC GEOPHYSICAL SERVICES GMBH & CO KG
Germany
Net EU contribution
€ 738 294,35
Address
Schillerstrasse 3
79423 Heitersheim

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SME

The organization defined itself as SME (small and medium-sized enterprise) at the time the Grant Agreement was signed.

Yes
Region
Baden-Württemberg Freiburg Breisgau-Hochschwarzwald
Activity type
Private for-profit entities (excluding Higher or Secondary Education Establishments)
Other funding
€ 0,00
Third-party

Legal entity other than a subcontractor which is affiliated or legally linked to a participant. The entity carries out work under the conditions laid down in the Grant Agreement, supplies goods or provides services for the action, but did not sign the Grant Agreement. A third party abides by the rules applicable to its related participant under the Grant Agreement with regard to eligibility of costs and control of expenditure.

TERRATEC GEOPHYSICAL SERVICES NAMIBIA CC
Namibia
Net EU contribution
€ 69 905,65
Address
Klein Windhoek
Windhoek

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SME

The organization defined itself as SME (small and medium-sized enterprise) at the time the Grant Agreement was signed.

Yes
Activity type
Private for-profit entities (excluding Higher or Secondary Education Establishments)
Other funding
€ 0,00
EBERHARD KARLS UNIVERSITAET TUEBINGEN
Germany
Net EU contribution
€ 497 068,75
Address
Geschwister-scholl-platz
72074 Tuebingen

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Region
Baden-Württemberg Tübingen Tübingen, Landkreis
Activity type
Higher or Secondary Education Establishments
Other funding
€ 0,00
MENDELOVA UNIVERZITA V BRNE
Czechia
Net EU contribution
€ 336 625,00
Address
Zemedelska 1/1665
613 00 Brno Sever

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Region
Jihovýchod Jihomoravský kraj
Activity type
Higher or Secondary Education Establishments
Other funding
€ 0,00
THE UNIVERSITY COURT OF THE UNIVERSITY OF ST ANDREWS
United Kingdom
Net EU contribution
€ 410 986,25
Address
North Street 66 College Gate
KY16 9AJ St Andrews

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Region
Eastern Scotland Clackmannanshire and Fife
Activity type
Higher or Secondary Education Establishments
Other funding
€ 0,00
UNIVERSITA DEGLI STUDI GABRIELE D'ANNUNZIO DI CHIETI-PESCARA
Italy
Net EU contribution
€ 295 312,50
Address
Via Dei Vestini 31
66013 Chieti

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Region
Sud Abruzzo Chieti
Activity type
Higher or Secondary Education Establishments
Other funding
€ 0,00
LANCASTER EXPLORATION LIMITED
British Virgin Islands
Net EU contribution
€ 168 553,24
Address
58 Administration Drive Wickhams Cay
Road Town, Tortola

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Activity type
Private for-profit entities (excluding Higher or Secondary Education Establishments)
Other funding
€ 0,00
NATURAL HISTORY MUSEUM
United Kingdom
Net EU contribution
€ 138 625,00
Address
Cromwell Road
SW7 5BD London

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Activity type
Public bodies (excluding Research Organisations and Secondary or Higher Education Establishments)
Other funding
€ 0,00
A. SPEISER-ENVIRONMENTAL CONSULTANTS CC
Namibia
Net EU contribution
€ 106 902,25
Address
12thfl, Sanlam Centre, 145-157 Independence Avenue
9999 Windhoek

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SME

The organization defined itself as SME (small and medium-sized enterprise) at the time the Grant Agreement was signed.

Yes
Activity type
Private for-profit entities (excluding Higher or Secondary Education Establishments)
Other funding
€ 0,00
Geological Survey of Denmark and Greenland
Denmark
Net EU contribution
€ 469 350,00
Address
Oster Voldgade 10
1350 Kobenhavn K

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Region
Danmark Hovedstaden Byen København
Activity type
Other
Other funding
€ 0,00