.png)
.png)
H2020 - Research Along the Raw Materials Value Chain
in collaboration with EASME
Day 3 - 22 May 2019 - from 11:00 to 14:30 - Auditorium
Session Chair: Bjorn Debecker, European Commission EASME
Arnoldas Milukas, European Commission EASME
Funding of Raw Materials R&I under H2020
[read abstract]
Abstract
The harsh, remo
Liesbeth Horckmans, VITO, and Elisabeth Clausen, RWTH Aachen
Raw Materials in H2020 : Societal Challenge 5 & EIT from a researcher's perspective
[read abstract]
Abstract
Discovery is the
Eoghan O' Neill, European Commission DG CONNECT
Innovation Radar
[read abstract]
Abstract
The harsh, remot
Norbert Zajzon, University of Miskolc
Today’s exploration for future exploitation: UNEXMIN Underwater Explorer for Flooded Mines
[read abstract]
Abstract
Many flooded underground mines can be found world-wide which still contain significant, valuable raw materials. Usually a mine closure is related to actual economics which reflects the current level of mining and ore processing technology and the commodity prices rather than the complete depletion. Certain commodities were disregarded during the operational life of a mine which are now highly valuable and could be among the critical raw materials for the EU. These mines are now flooded and the last piece of information of their status is a few decades, or even over a hundred years old. There is a strong need to reassess these mines to be able to decide whether invest money into their re-opening.
UNEXMIN (unexmin.eu) develops an autonomous underwater robotic explorer capable to 3D map and deliver geo-scientific information by non-invasive methods from flooded underground mines. These data currently cannot be obtained only by other more expensive or dangerous methods. The objectives of the project can be defined as 1) build a robotic system for autonomous mapping of flooded mines, 2) demonstrate the operation of the prototype at representative sites, 3) develop a platform for technology transfer and further development, 4) develop a research roadmap and create a post-project commercial service to offer the UNEXMIN technology in the market.
The project has received funding from the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under grant agreement No. 690008.
Åsa Gabrielsson, Epiroc
The SIMS Program - Exploration in Collaboration enabled by H2020
[read abstract]
Abstract
The SIMS (Sustainable Intelligent Mining Systems) Program with financing from H2020 spans over several technology and operational areas. The combination of program partners; mining companies, global product/technology suppliers, and top universities, has enabled cross-functional collaboration in its true essence.
The fourteen program partners collaborate in nine different work packages, with the aim to ensure targeted technical innovations, such as battery-powered mining machines, improved underground LTE/5G-based communication and control, work-place and technology-transfer analyses and out-reach initiatives to the young generation.
To develop and test innovative solutions in customer mines and even in real-time production enables direct feedback to innovators and ensures constructive dialogue between experts from mining, digitization, robotics/automation and behavioral sciences. The SIMS program has required extensive focus on program management, work package planning, securing of required competencies and test facilities in time. To assure e.g. the attractive workplace activities, the collection and analyses of mining personnel input and mining operations settings has also been crucial.
Today’s leading innovations are often dependent on cross-disciplinary interaction. The SIMS collaboration platform, which spans across the European mining industry, has proven the test to ensure competitive mining industry innovations and enable mining outreach activities within Europe.
Liesbeth Horckmans, VITO
CHROMIC - How to recover metals from slags?
[read abstract]
Abstract
The CHROMIC project is developing new recovery processes for chromium, niobium, molybdenum and vanadium. These four metals are crucial for the European industry, but they are sourced mainly from outside Europe. Europe does have large stocks of industrial by-products, such as steel, stainless steel and ferrochrome slags, which contain significant amounts of these four elements that are currently not fully exploited. These slags are used mainly as aggregates in the construction industry, with small fractions of some slags even being landfilled. In these applications, the entrapped valuable elements are not used to their full value. The CHROMIC project aims to unlock the potential of these resources, by developing new sustainable ways of metal recovery, leading to a zero-waste recycling of the entire slag materials.
The project will focus on carbon steel (CS), stainless steel (SS) and ferrochrome (FeCr) production chains. CHROMIC will develop, test and validate smart combinations of existing methods and new technological innovations to extract valuable and critical raw materials from the slags in the most sustainable way. To ensure that the technologies are in line with the requirements of the circular economy and market demand, an iterative assessment is performed taking into account not only economic but also environmental and health aspects. Local and professional communities are involved in the assessment through participatory events.
Tjerk Wardenaar, PNO Consultants
COLLECTORS: waste collection for the circular economy
[read abstract]
Abstract
COLLECTORS is an Horizon 2020 project which aims to identify and highlight existing good practices of waste collection and sorting. It focuses on three waste streams: paper and packaging, waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE), and construction & demolition waste (CDW)
More specifically, the main objective of COLLECTORS is to harmonize and disclose available information on different waste collection systems; to gain better insight into the overall performance of systems; and to support decision-makers in shifting to better-performing systems via capacity-building and establishing implementation guidelines.
To reach this goal, COLLECTORS works in three phases:
(1) Inventory: map, harmonize and disclose existing information on waste collection systems throughout Europe for packaging and paper waste, WEEE, and CDW. The resulting inventory of waste collection practices will be disclosed on a web-based platform to help decision-makers find systems that are in line with their needs.
(2) Assessment: assess the overall performance of waste collection systems in different geographical areas based on comparable data for twelve case studies (four per waste stream), using life-cycle assessments and cost-benefit analyses.
(3) Implementation: stimulate successful implementation of better-performing waste collection systems by providing implementation guidelines for the collection of the three waste streams, which will include tailored instructions per type of location.
Panagiotis Kavouras, National Technical University Athens
Towards a new route for the production of Fe-Al intermetallics
[read abstract]
Abstract
EQUINOX project aims to producte Fe-Al based intermetallic materials that will be non-brittle at low to medium temperatures. A radical new, near net-shape production route is being studied that brings together intermetallic metallurgy and the Kochanek process. These unique intermetallic materials will be used for the production of demonstrators, like brake disks, excavator bumpers, piping elements for liquid rocket engines and cell stack end cones. A strategic target for the EQUINOX (CRM)-free intermetallic materials is to substitute stainless steel parts in high volume end consumer market. EQUINOX’s ambition is to reduce Europe’s dependency in CRMs, since stainless steel contains an average amount of 18% in Cr. EQUINOX has the potential to aid Europe fulfill its policy and strategy of raw materials. Until now, the most promising results were obtained by infiltrating iron samples having 45% porosity with liquid Al. These samples were produced by the Selective Laser Melting method. Another manufacturing route that has proved successful is a modification of Metal Injection Molding, which will be utilized for the production of all but one EQUINOX demonstrators. In both cases, pressure-assisted infiltration revealed regions of effective reaction between Al and Fe.
Acknowledgements: The research leading to these results has received funding from European Community’s HORIZON 2020 framework programme for Research and Innovation under Grant Agreement Νo 689510.
Pamela Lesser, University of Lapland
Toward a European Model of SLO
[read abstract]
Abstract
A globalized term that typically describes local relationship building between companies and communities, in Europe, the Social License to Operate (SLO) concept is both different and broader. The European SLO narrative involves not just appeasing local communities, but encompasses the debate around sustainability, security of raw materials supply and enhancing the role of government. In short, SLO is not only about trust at the local level, it is also about trust at the national level and the connection between the two. If one of the aims of SLO in Europe is to bridge mining-related barriers by developing trust with the broader society as well as with local communities, then it is crucial to understand the mechanism of SLO itself and how it operates across Europe’s mining regions. To that end, a European Model of SLO will be presented.