The Project

Europe's mining industry faces a major challenge - efficiently and sustainably recovering critical raw materials (CRMs) from complex, low‑grade ores. The OPTIMINER project addresses this through innovative solutions that boost mining efficiency, minimise environmental impact, and reduce dependency on CRM imports for key industries like renewable energy, electronics, and automotive.

Key Solutions

  • Cutting-edge CRM recovery technologies, including smart ore sorting, bioleaching, and phytomining, all accessible via an innovative CRM Recovery Selector.

  • A modular system designed to monitor recovery technologies while promoting a human-centered approach through stakeholder engagement. It includes a Modular Digital Platform with an AI-enabled Decision Support System, a Virtual Miner (a digital recovery assistant that fosters human involvement), and Hybrid Digital Twins with 3D visualisation capabilities for seamless monitoring.

  • Advanced tools for energy efficiency, water optimisation, resource waste minimization, and comprehensive sustainability analysis, including an AI-powered market observatory for precise forecasting.

  • Real-world pilot demonstrations of CRM recovery solutions in Spain, Greece, Poland, Finland, and Chile, with a focus on sustainable business models.

  • Promoting global awareness and EU-Chile strategic cooperation, along with establishing Health and Safety standards and optimizing market adaptability through AI-based tools.

Key Solutions

Objectives

Innovate CRM recovery technologies

Provide an integrated system for monitoring, optimisation, and control

Drive the digital and circular transition toward sustainable CRM processing

Raise global awareness of sustainable and CRM processing

Demonstrate enhanced extraction and processing solutions