Real-Time-Mining · Project

Real-Time Sensors and Planning Software to Cut Mining Waste and Find More Ore

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Imagine you're digging for valuable ore underground, but you're basically working blind — you drill, send samples to a lab, wait days for results, and only then decide where to dig next. This project built a system that works more like a GPS with X-ray vision: sensors at the mining face instantly tell you what's valuable and what's waste rock, while planning software updates your mine map in real time. The result is less wasted effort, less rock hauled to the surface for nothing, and deposits that were previously too complex to mine profitably suddenly become viable.

By the numbers

consortium partners across the mining value chain

industry partners involved in development and testing

SMEs in the consortium

countries represented (DE, FR, NL, PT, UK)

demonstrated systems (positioning, short-term planning, long-term planning)

total project deliverables produced

The business problem

What needed solving

Mining operations today rely on delayed geological data — drill, sample, send to lab, wait for results, then adjust the plan. This means operators dig through waste rock they could have avoided, miss valuable ore pockets they didn't know about, and make planning decisions based on outdated models. For complex or marginal deposits, this inefficiency can make the entire operation unprofitable.

The solution

What was built

The project delivered three major demonstrated systems: a modular underground positioning system combining inertial navigation, ultra-wideband, and geometrical scanners; a validated short-term scheduling and production control tool using real-time deposit data; and a validated long/medium-term mine planning tool that handles geological uncertainty and enables pre-sorting and back-filling of zero-value material. In total, 18 deliverables were produced across sensor characterization, simulation, and optimization.

Audience

Who needs this

Underground mining operators with complex or low-grade depositsMining equipment manufacturers looking to add real-time intelligence to their productsMine planning software companies wanting to integrate live sensor dataMining consultancies advising on resource estimation and extraction sequencingRaw materials companies seeking to reopen or exploit marginal European deposits

Business applications

Who can put this to work

Mining and Mineral Extraction

enterprise

Target: Underground mining operators handling complex or low-grade ore deposits

If you are an underground mining company struggling with geological uncertainty and high waste-to-ore ratios — this project developed a real-time sensor-and-software loop that characterizes material at the mining face instantly, updates your resource model on the fly, and optimizes both short-term sequencing and long-term mine plans. The validated planning tools were demonstrated in real mining conditions with a 13-partner consortium including 6 SMEs from the mining supply chain.

Mining Equipment and Technology

mid-size

Target: Manufacturers of underground positioning, navigation, or sensor systems

If you are a mining technology supplier looking to integrate real-time data into your product line — this project built and demonstrated a combined underground positioning system that fuses inertial navigation, ultra-wideband tracking, and geometrical scanners into one modular unit. The system was constructed, demonstrated, and evaluated as part of a 5-country consortium, giving you a validated reference architecture to build commercial products on.

Mining Consulting and Software

SME

Target: Mine planning software vendors or geological consulting firms

If you are a mine planning consultancy or software company whose clients still rely on periodic geological updates — this project validated a computer-assisted scheduling and production control tool that ingests real-time deposit data. It also delivered a long- and medium-term planning tool that accounts for geological uncertainty and enables pre-sorting and back-filling of zero-value material, turning waste management into a planning variable rather than an afterthought.

Frequently asked

Quick answers

What would it cost to adopt this technology?

The project did not publish specific pricing or licensing costs. Since the outputs include validated software tools and a modular positioning system, costs would depend on which components you need and the scale of your mine. Contact the consortium through SciTransfer for a tailored estimate.

Can this work at industrial scale in a real mine?

Yes — the project specifically designed demonstration activities in real mining settings. The short-term scheduling tool and long/medium-term planning tool were both validated using actual mine data, and the underground positioning system was constructed, demonstrated, and evaluated as an integrated modular system.

Who owns the intellectual property, and can I license it?

IP is shared among the 13 consortium partners across 5 countries under the Horizon 2020 grant agreement. Licensing arrangements would need to be negotiated with the relevant partners. SciTransfer can help identify the right contact for the specific component you need.

Does this comply with EU raw materials regulations?

The project was funded under the EU's Secure, Clean and Efficient Energy and Raw Materials strategy (topic SC5-11a-2014). Its goals — reducing CO2 emissions, increasing energy efficiency, and reducing dependency on non-EU raw material sources — align directly with current EU Critical Raw Materials Act objectives.

How long would it take to integrate into existing mine operations?

Based on available project data, the system is modular — you can adopt the positioning system, the short-term scheduler, or the long-term planner independently. Integration timelines would vary by component and your existing digital infrastructure. The project ran over 4 years of development and validation.

What sensors and hardware does this require?

The positioning system integrates inertial navigation, ultra-wideband tracking, and geometrical scanners. Sensor-based material characterization uses spectroscopy at the mining face. Specific hardware requirements would depend on your underground environment and existing equipment.

Is there ongoing support or a user community?

The project ended in March 2019, but 7 industry partners and 6 SMEs were involved in development. Based on available project data, several partners are commercial mining technology companies that may offer continued development or support for the tools they helped build.

Consortium

Who built it

This is a well-balanced mining technology consortium with 13 partners from 5 countries, led by TU Delft (Netherlands). The 54% industry ratio — 7 industry partners including 6 SMEs — signals that this was built with commercial adoption in mind, not just academic publishing. Partners span Germany, France, the Netherlands, Portugal, and the UK, covering major European mining markets. The mix of 4 universities and 2 research organizations providing the science, with SMEs handling real-world testing and future commercialization, gives this project strong credibility for technology transfer.

TECHNISCHE UNIVERSITEIT DELFTCoordinator · NL
LSA-LASER ANALYTICAL SYSTEMS & AUTOMATION GMBHparticipant · DE
IMPERIAL COLLEGE OF SCIENCE TECHNOLOGY AND MEDICINEparticipant · UK
NEDERLANDSE ORGANISATIE VOOR TOEGEPAST NATUURWETENSCHAPPELIJK ONDERZOEK TNOparticipant · NL
RHEINISCH-WESTFAELISCHE TECHNISCHE HOCHSCHULE AACHENparticipant · DE
EIJKELKAMP SONICSAMPDRILL BVparticipant · NL
IST-ID ASSOCIACAO DO INSTITUTO SUPERIOR TECNICO PARA A INVESTIGACAO E O DESENVOLVIMENTOparticipant · PT
GEOVARIANCES SAparticipant · FR
TECHNISCHE UNIVERSITAET BERGAKADEMIE FREIBERGparticipant · DE
SPECTRAL INDUSTRIES BVparticipant · NL

How to reach the team

The coordinator is Technische Universiteit Delft (TU Delft) in the Netherlands. SciTransfer can connect you with the right team member.

Order a report on this consortium See TECHNISCHE UNIVERSITEIT DELFT profile →

Next steps

Talk to the team behind this work.

Want to explore how real-time mining optimization could work in your operations? SciTransfer can arrange a direct introduction to the research team and help assess fit for your specific mine site.

Order a report on this topic More in Manufacturing & Industry 4.0