Description du projet
Pour une exploration minière sûre et socialement mieux acceptée
Le déploiement rapide de technologies énergétiques propres a entraîné une augmentation significative de la demande de matières premières essentielles, notamment le cobalt et le lithium. Un approvisionnement fiable de ces matériaux est essentiel pour garantir la résilience des économies. Cependant, l’exploration minière en Europe est confrontée à plusieurs défis, tels que la diversité de la géologie, les menaces environnementales et la couverture de glace dans la région arctique de l’Europe du Nord. En outre, l’acceptation par le public est faible. Le projet NEXT, financé par l’UE, rassemble 16 partenaires de six pays européens, qui représentent l’industrie de la production métallique. Leur objectif est de concevoir des modèles géologiques, des technologies d’exploration et des méthodes d’analyse de données sûrs et socialement acceptés. Ce faisant, ils cherchent à ouvrir la voie à une industrie extractive européenne de pointe.
Objectif
NEXT proposal has been compiled by a pan-European consortium, which consists of 16 partners from leading research institutes (3), academia (3), service providers (5) and industry (5). The members come from 6 EU member states (Fi, FR, DE, MT, ES and SE) and represent the main metal producing regions of Europe, Fennoscncian Shield, Iberian Pyrite Belt and Central European Belt. These economically most important metallogenic belts of the EU have diverse geology with evident potential for different types of new mineral resource. The mineral deposits in these belts are the most feasible sources of critical, high-tech and other economically important metals in the EU. The project consortium has also a vast international collaboration network, e.g. 50% of the Advisory Board members have been invited from outside EU.
In addition to the variable geology, the vulnerability of the environment and the glacial sedimentary cover in the Arctic regions of northern Europe, and the thick weathering crust and more densely populated nature of the target areas in the Iberian and Central European belts influence the mineral exploration in different ways. The social conditions in potential benefits and challenges also vary. Therefore the new environmentally sound exploration concepts and technologies will be optimized and tested on diverse mineral deposit types.
NEXT will develop new geomodels, novel sensitive exploration technologies and data analysis methods which together are fast, cost-effective, environmentally safe and socially accepted. Methods developed reduce the current high exploration costs and enhance participation of civil society from the start of exploration, raising awareness and trust. Moreover, the reduced environmental impact of the new technologies and better knowledge about the factors influencing social licensing will help promote social acceptance of both exploration and mining and therefore support the further development of Europe´s extractive industry.
Champ scientifique
- natural sciencescomputer and information sciencessoftware
- natural sciencesearth and related environmental sciencesphysical geographycartography
- engineering and technologyenvironmental engineeringmining and mineral processing
- engineering and technologyelectrical engineering, electronic engineering, information engineeringelectronic engineeringroboticsautonomous robotsdrones
- social sciencespolitical sciencespolitical policiescivil society
Programme(s)
Régime de financement
RIA - Research and Innovation actionCoordinateur
02151 Espoo
Finlande