KGHM CUPRUM SPOLKA Z OGRANICZONA ODPOWIEDZIALNOSCIA - CENTRUM BADAWCZO- ROZWOJOWE

Their core work

KGHM CUPRUM CBR is the R&D center of KGHM Polska Miedź, one of Europe's largest copper and silver producers. They develop and test advanced technologies for deep underground mining — from in-situ sensor systems and process control to robotics, drones, and digital safety solutions for harsh subterranean environments. Their work bridges the gap between laboratory research and industrial deployment in real mining operations, making them a critical testbed partner for EU mining innovation projects.

What they specialise in

How they've shifted over time

In 2015–2018, KGHM CUPRUM focused on foundational process control — distributed sensors, machine learning for optimization, and unconventional extraction methods like bio-mining. From 2018 onward, the focus shifted decisively toward full digital mine transformation: wireless sensor networks, drones, VR/AR, predictive maintenance, and carbon neutrality. Their trajectory shows a clear move from instrumenting individual processes to reimagining entire mining operations as integrated digital-and-green systems.

They are converging on the twin transition — combining digitalization (IoT, AI, drones, VR) with decarbonization in underground mining, positioning them for Horizon Europe calls on sustainable raw materials.

How they like to work

KGHM CUPRUM consistently joins as a participant, never as coordinator — typical for a large corporate R&D center that contributes industrial expertise and real-world test sites rather than managing project administration. With 79 unique partners across 14 countries, they maintain a broad European network and do not cluster around a small set of repeat collaborators. This makes them an accessible partner: experienced in large consortia, used to working with diverse academic and industrial teams, and able to offer operational mining environments for validation.

They have collaborated with 79 distinct organizations across 14 countries, indicating a well-connected position in the European raw materials and mining research community. Their network spans from Scandinavia to Southern Europe, with likely strong ties to other mining-intensive countries.

What sets them apart

KGHM CUPRUM brings something rare to EU consortia: direct access to active, large-scale deep underground copper mining operations for technology validation. While many mining research partners are universities or small tech firms, CUPRUM operates within one of Europe's largest mining conglomerates (KGHM), meaning pilot technologies can be tested in real production environments. For any consortium needing an industrial demonstration site in European mining, they are one of a very small number of credible options.

Highlights from their portfolio

• NEXGEN-SIMS
  Their largest H2020 project (EUR 509,819) and most recent, focused on carbon-neutral intelligent mining — signals their strategic direction.
• THING
  An unusual project for a mining R&D center — subterranean robotics with quadrupedal locomotion and haptic sensing, showing capacity for frontier technology beyond traditional mining.
• illuMINEation
  Comprehensive digital mining project combining drones, additive manufacturing, VR/AR, and wireless sensors — their broadest technology integration effort.