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m4mining: Multi-scale, Multi-sensor Mapping and dynamic Monitoring for sustainable extraction and safe closure in Mining environments

Project description

Remote sensing for dynamic monitoring of mining activities

Earth observation data from remote sensing and ground-based platforms are not only indispensable for mineral exploration: continuous monitoring of mining activities reduces accidents, health risks and damage to ecosystems. The EU-funded m4mining project proposes to develop a remote sensing system aboard unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). The system will integrate light detection and ranging (lidar), hyperspectral, navigation, computing systems and telemetry to acquire high-resolution oblique data of mine faces and by-products, which will also directly link to satellite-based algorithms. Another key feature will be its ability to directly process and convey spectral and lidar data to on-site users while the UAV is in flight, thus facilitating workflows and decision-making in the case of risk management.

Objective

The m4mining project aims to provide an integrated remote sensing approach for mapping and monitoring active and inactive mining sites. Hyper- and multispectral imaging combined with 3D surface measurement will be utilised for material identification from the detailed mine face to the site scale using unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and satellite sensors. Central to the proposed work is a synergistic unification of UAV and satellite-based processing algorithms, workflows and decision-making tools at timescales required to impact active operations and environmental and risk management of tailings and waste sites.

A novel UAV system will combine hyperspectral, lidar, navigation, on-board computing systems and telemetry to acquire high-resolution oblique datasets from mine faces and tailings. Key innovations will be dynamic processing of spectral and lidar data, communicating initial results to on-site users, allowing interactive presentation and decision-making while the UAV is in flight. In addition, high quality results be rapidly available for integration with site-scale satellite workflows and enhanced classification algorithms. This combined approach offers a step-change in active mine operations and tailings management, paving the way for novel products and services. New applications include improved sorting of material during extraction, material quality assessment, re-mining of secondary raw materials, as well as monitoring environmental impact. m4mining will contribute to reduced energy consumption through faster response times for mine operators and will impact digitalisation of mining. The main result will be technology validation in operational environments: three sites in EU and key EU raw materials import markets will be used, in Cyprus, Greece and Australia.

The project consortium is established from internationally leading commercial hardware and software providers, research groups in technology and applications in mining, and public stakeholders.

Fields of science (EuroSciVoc)

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Keywords

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Programme(s)

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Topic(s)

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Funding Scheme

Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.

HORIZON-RIA - HORIZON Research and Innovation Actions

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Call for proposal

Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.

(opens in new window) HORIZON-CL4-2022-RESILIENCE-01

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Coordinator

NORCE RESEARCH AS
Net EU contribution

Net EU financial contribution. The sum of money that the participant receives, deducted by the EU contribution to its linked third party. It considers the distribution of the EU financial contribution between direct beneficiaries of the project and other types of participants, like third-party participants.

€ 1 332 890,63
Address
NYGARDSGATEN 112
5838 BERGEN
Norway

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Region
Norge Vestlandet Vestland
Activity type
Research Organisations
Links
Total cost

The total costs incurred by this organisation to participate in the project, including direct and indirect costs. This amount is a subset of the overall project budget.

€ 1 332 890,63

Participants (7)

Partners (1)

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