SIMS · Project

Smart Mining Tech That Cuts Accidents and Boosts Efficiency Underground

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Imagine running a mine where robots and smart sensors do the dangerous jobs instead of people. SIMS brought together 18 mining companies, equipment makers, and universities across 4 countries to build and test exactly that — automation, VR training simulators, and intelligent systems — inside real working mines. Think of it like upgrading a mine from manual labor to a semi-automated factory floor, where workers train in virtual reality before touching real equipment. The result is fewer accidents from rock falls, less environmental damage, and more minerals extracted per euro spent.

By the numbers

EUR 12,709,745

EU funding for developing intelligent mining systems

consortium partners across mining value chain

countries with operational test mines (DE, FI, PL, SE)

industry partners in the consortium

67%

industry partner ratio in consortium

total project deliverables produced

SMEs contributing specialized expertise

The business problem

What needed solving

Mining remains one of the most dangerous and resource-intensive industries. Workers face rock falls, toxic exposure, and equipment hazards daily, while operators struggle to train staff efficiently and meet tightening environmental regulations. The industry needs intelligent automation and better training methods to reduce risks and improve competitiveness — but individual companies rarely have the resources to develop and test these technologies alone.

The solution

What was built

The project produced 22 deliverables including a complete VR/AR environment for training and demonstration, VR/AR training modules for mine operators and workers, and educational modules for students. Technologies for intelligent mining — covering automation, robotics, 5G connectivity, and simulation — were developed, tested, and demonstrated in real operational mines across Sweden, Germany, Finland, and Poland.

Audience

Who needs this

Mining companies looking to reduce underground worker accidents and rock fall risksMining equipment manufacturers wanting to add smart automation features to their productsWorkforce training providers serving the mining and extractive industriesMine safety consultancies advising on technology upgradesRaw materials companies under pressure to reduce environmental impact of operations

Business applications

Who can put this to work

Mining operations

enterprise

Target: Mining companies operating underground or open-pit mines

If you are a mining operator dealing with worker safety incidents and rock fall risks — this project developed and demonstrated intelligent automation systems tested in real mine environments across 4 countries. With 12 industry partners including equipment leader Epiroc, the technologies cover autonomous drilling, monitoring, and hazard detection that reduce human exposure to dangerous conditions underground.

Mining equipment & technology

mid-size

Target: Mining equipment manufacturers and technology integrators

If you are an equipment supplier looking to add smart features to your product line — this project built VR/AR training environments and simulation tools that let mine workers practice on virtual equipment before going underground. With 18 consortium partners and 22 deliverables produced, these ready-made training modules can be licensed or adapted for your equipment portfolio.

Workforce training & safety

any

Target: Mining safety consultancies and workforce training providers

If you are a training provider struggling to prepare workers for hazardous mining environments — this project developed complete VR/AR training modules for operators and mine workers, plus educational modules for students entering the industry. These were demonstrated and validated with real mining companies across Sweden, Germany, Finland, and Poland.

Frequently asked

Quick answers

What would it cost to adopt these mining technologies?

The project operated with EUR 12,709,745 in EU funding across 18 partners over 3 years. Individual technology licensing or deployment costs would need to be negotiated directly with the consortium partners, particularly Epiroc Rock Drills AB as coordinator. Based on available project data, specific per-unit pricing is not published.

Can these solutions work at industrial scale in real mines?

Yes — this was an Innovation Action specifically designed to test and demonstrate technologies in real mine environments. The consortium selected operational mines in Sweden, Germany, Finland, and Poland as pilot test sites for exactly this purpose. The 67% industry ratio (12 out of 18 partners) confirms these were built for real-world deployment.

What is the IP situation and how can we license these technologies?

With 12 industry partners and 3 SMEs in the consortium, IP is likely shared across multiple organizations. Epiroc Rock Drills AB coordinated the project and would be the primary contact for licensing discussions. Some results may already be integrated into Epiroc's commercial product lines given the project closed in 2020.

Are there regulatory approvals for using these in European mines?

The project was aligned with EU raw materials strategies (EIP-SIP Raw Materials Technology pillars 1A and 1B). Technologies were demonstrated in operational mines across 4 EU/EEA countries, which means they operated within existing mine safety regulations. Specific certifications would depend on each technology component.

How mature are the VR/AR training modules?

The project delivered demonstrated VR/AR training modules for mine workers and operators, plus educational modules for students. A full VR/AR environment was established as both a training and demonstration facility. These were completed deliverables, not prototypes.

What happened after the project ended in 2020?

The project closed in April 2020 after 3 years. Given that Epiroc is a global mining equipment company, commercially viable results were likely absorbed into their product development pipeline. Based on available project data, specific post-project commercialization details would need to be confirmed with the coordinator.

Consortium

Who built it

This is a heavyweight, industry-driven consortium with 18 partners and a 67% industry ratio — unusually high for EU projects. Led by Epiroc Rock Drills AB, one of the world's largest mining equipment manufacturers, the partnership spans 4 key European mining countries: Sweden, Germany, Finland, and Poland. With 12 industry players and only 2 universities, this was clearly built to produce deployable technology, not academic papers. The 3 SMEs bring specialized capabilities, while the consortium's roots in the EIT Raw Materials partnership suggest established working relationships. For a business buyer, the Epiroc name alone signals that results were engineered to commercial standards.

EPIROC ROCK DRILLS ABCoordinator · SE
LULEA TEKNISKA UNIVERSITETparticipant · SE
ABB ABparticipant · SE
HITACHI ENERGY SWEDEN ABparticipant · SE
AGNICO-EAGLE FINLAND OYparticipant · FI
KGHM CUPRUM SPOLKA Z OGRANICZONA ODPOWIEDZIALNOSCIA - CENTRUM BADAWCZO- ROZWOJOWEparticipant · PL
RHEINISCH-WESTFAELISCHE TECHNISCHE HOCHSCHULE AACHENparticipant · DE
K+S MINERALS AND AGRICULTURE GMBHparticipant · DE
MOBILARIS MCE ABparticipant · SE
KGHM POLSKA MIEDZ SAthirdparty · PL
BOLIDEN MINERAL ABparticipant · SE
ERICSSON ABparticipant · SE
LUOSSAVAARA-KIIRUNAVAARA ABparticipant · SE
LTU BUSINESS ABthirdparty · SE

How to reach the team

Epiroc Rock Drills AB (Sweden) — global mining equipment manufacturer. Contact their innovation or technology partnerships division.

Order a report on this consortium See EPIROC ROCK DRILLS AB profile →

Next steps

Talk to the team behind this work.

Want to explore licensing SIMS technologies for your mining operations or equipment portfolio? SciTransfer can connect you directly with the right consortium partner. Contact us for a tailored briefing.

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