Imagine using a high-tech camera in space to find hidden minerals underground without digging a single hole. This project creates smart software that reads satellite images to spot raw materials and keep an eye on mine safety. It's like having a constant, bird's-eye view to ensure mining is done safely and doesn't harm the planet.
Mining companies struggle with the high cost and environmental impact of traditional mineral exploration and the difficulty of monitoring site safety and closure. There is also a lack of public acceptance and precise data for raw material autonomy in the EU.
A suite of 20 AI-driven Earth Observation methods, 9 prototyped services, and 22 tailored products for mineral mapping and mine monitoring. Additionally, 50 high-value open datasets were created for hazardous sites and deposits.
If you are a mineral exploration firm dealing with high costs of land and coastal surveys — this project developed 20 new data-driven methods that use satellite sensors to map raw materials more accurately. This reduces the need for invasive ground testing during the initial search phase.
If you are an assessment agency dealing with the complex monitoring of closed mine sites — this project developed 9 prototyped services that track post-closure activities. This allows for non-invasive monitoring of hazardous sites across different European regions.
If you are a mine operator dealing with safety risks and public opposition — this project developed 22 tailored products for continuous monitoring of extraction phases. These tools help prove sustainable practices to the public and improve site safety.
Based on available project data, specific pricing or cost structures for the services are not provided.
Yes, the results were validated at six different locations, including land and coastal exploration in Spain and extraction/closure phases in Austria, Finland, and Germany.
Based on available project data, the project generated 50 new open datasets made available in long-term repositories, though specific commercial licensing terms for the 20 methods are not detailed.
The system exploits Copernicus and other optical and radar satellite sensors, using airborne and ground-based data for calibration and validation.
The project period runs from 2023-01-01 to 2025-06-30, with validation activities concluding in May 2025.
The consortium is well-balanced for commercial transition, featuring 20 partners from 12 countries. With a 40% industry ratio (8 companies, including 6 SMEs), there is significant direct involvement from the end-user market, ensuring the 20 developed methods meet actual industrial needs rather than remaining purely academic.
Contact Universidade do Porto in Portugal
Contact us to access the 50 open datasets or license the prototyped EO services.
