Project duration: 2 March 2020 – 2 March 2023

Objective

A breakthrough mining and backfilling system will be developed to enable economically viable, environmentally sustainable and socially accepted mining of mineral resources from low/medium strength deposits. The system will integrate three innovated technologies ready for market launch – mining and multi-layered core backfilling technology, closed flotation circuit, and innovative prediction model of spatial mineralization distribution.

The solution (technology)

The project will operationally validate (TRL 9) a breakthrough mining and backfilling system enabling economically viable, environmentally sustainable and socially accepted mining of mineral resources from low and medium strength deposits. The system will integrate three innovated technologies ready for market launch (used separately or as a comprehensive mining and backfilling system):

1. Mining and multi-layered (combination of solidified and non – solidified backfill layers with different properties) core backfilling technology combining solid backfill mixtures and binder paste backfill, enabling economical extraction of low and medium strength deposits.
2. Closed flotation circuit as a highly versatile mineral separation aiming for zero-waste operation
3. Innovative prediction model of spatial mineralization distribution and other geological phenomena showing the best mineralisation sites and determining the extraction technology by a comprehensive analysis of the critical mineral exploitation factors

As part of the project, a state-of-the-art ESEE/RIS competence and training centre will be developed for supporting the KTI in developing qualified workforce in the ESEE/RIS mining, metallurgical and civil engineering industry.

The technologies will serve the “industrial minerals” industries with a positive growth since statistically recorded. In 1984 the worldwide mined tonnage was 460.033.310tons. In 2015 (last available data) the worldwide production was 791.299.011t. This is a growth of 72% in 31 years, and still growing.

Partnership

  • AGH University of Science and Technology, Poland
  • BASF Construction Solutions GmbH, Germany
  • BASF PLC, United Kingdom
  • BASF SE, Germany
  • DMT GmbH & Co. KG, Germany
  • euroMinerals GmbH, Austria
  • EuroTalc, Slovakia
  • Lappeenranta-Lahti University of Technology, Finland
  • Metso Minerals Oy, Finland
  • Metso Outotec Oyj, Finland
  • University of Miskolc, Hungary
  • Technical University of Kosice (Lead Partner), Slovakia