Descrizione del progetto
Garantire la sicurezza e l’accettazione sociale della prospezione mineraria
La rapida diffusione delle tecnologie energetiche pulite ha determinato un aumento significativo della domanda di materie prime critiche, tra cui cobalto, litio e non solo. Un approvvigionamento affidabile di questi materiali è fondamentale per garantire la resilienza delle economie. Tuttavia, la prospezione mineraria in Europa deve affrontare diverse sfide, come la diversità geologica, le minacce ambientali e la copertura di ghiaccio nella regione artica dell’Europa settentrionale. Per di più, l’accettazione da parte del pubblico di tale pratica risulta tuttora scarsa. Il progetto NEXT, finanziato dall’UE, riunisce 16 partner provenienti da sei paesi europei, scelti a rappresentanza dell’industria della produzione dei metalli, il cui obiettivo è creare modelli geologici, tecnologie di prospezione e metodi di analisi dei dati sicuri e socialmente accettati. In tal modo, i membri di NEXT cercano di aprire la strada alla prossima generazione dell’industria estrattiva europea.
Obiettivo
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.
Campo scientifico
- natural sciencesearth and related environmental sciencesphysical geographycartography
- natural scienceschemical sciencesinorganic chemistrytransition metals
- engineering and technologyenvironmental engineeringmining and mineral processing
- engineering and technologyelectrical engineering, electronic engineering, information engineeringelectronic engineeringroboticsautonomous robotsdrones
- social sciencespolitical sciencespolitical policiescivil society
Programma(i)
Invito a presentare proposte
Vedi altri progetti per questo bandoBando secondario
H2020-SC5-2017-OneStageB
Meccanismo di finanziamento
RIA - Research and Innovation actionCoordinatore
02151 Espoo
Finlandia