While the mining industry is overall considered to be conservative with new technologies and the introduction of new processes the acceptance of the new solution is estimated to be high due to the fact that consistent companies do not have to change already implemented processes. In their current situation of tough competition and low product value, the likelihood of adopting experimental or laboratory processes is rated rather low. The EnEx proposal targets such a process – drill core analysis. Providing more precise information in real-time with a multi-sensor scanner will lead to faster and new discoveries of deposits. Strengthening the market position of European mining companies through innovative ideas and technological development also has the potential to create new jobs and work opportunities due to the economic gain. By testing and developing novel logging and scanning tools for rock samples we aim at accelerating the drill core logging and analysis workflow. The benefits for the partners are fast, reliable and more objective logging of geological drill cores. All obtained data is usable cross-disciplinary and helps to improve communication between different branches of mining and exploration. Results can be directly and indirectly utilized in the field and near-mine exploration, mine production, mineral processing and rock mechanics. By targeting measurable numeric parameters it makes geological data more usable.

Further information on cheaper and faster mineral exploration and the potential attached to it can be found under (http://detcrc.com.au/2016/may-2016-press-release-cheaper-faster-mineral-exploration-step-closer-world-first-drilling-program/).

This project will support SME development by helping them to be able to address new customers through new and innovative solutions and possibilities. Since the mining industry suffers from low mineral and metal prices the need to ramp up the information from drilling and exploration activities is ubiquitous. Combining already present and thereby accepted techniques with innovative solutions that will provide so far unused information will allow companies to stay competitive.

• Stiftelsen Chalmers Industriteknik (Chalmers University of Technology), Sweden (Lead Partner)
• Boliden Mineral AB (Sweden)
• Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft ILT (Germany)
• LTU Business AB (Sweden)
• Luleå University of Technology (Sweden)
• Orexplore AB (Sweden)
• Pluto Investment AG (Switzerland)