I²MINE

Innovative Technologies and Concepts for the Intelligent Deep Mine of the Future

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 Obiettivo del progetto (Objective)

'The mine of the future will exploit mineral raw materials at greater depths than today, requiring completely different approaches compared to today’s deep mines, in order to get mineral rights. Only these eco-efficient mines will contribute to improved access to domestic mineral resources, secure the supply of mineral raw materials for Europe and reduce the import dependency. IntelliMine will contribute to realise these concepts of invisible, zero-impact and safe mines. The mine of tomorrow will run an integrated concept. All operations necessary for the eco-efficient provision of the minerals including waste management will be carried out underground. This will drastically reduce the volumes being transported, minimising above ground installations and thus the environmental impact. IntelliMine will develop innovative methods, technologies, machines and equipment for the safe, eco-innovative, intelligent and economical exploitation of mineral raw materials in the EU, including maintenance issues, especially at greater depths. It will investigate autonomous, highly selective mineral extraction processes and machinery based on new sensor technologies as well as innovative concepts for mass flow management and transportation. Such investigations have to be accompanied by rock mechanics and ground control issues as well as health, safety and environmental issues. The concept of an invisible, zero-impact mine requires a refined process underground that selectively extracts the minerals and therefore reduces waste production closer to the mineralisation. Therefore improved near to face processing methods including backfill procedures need to be developed. The necessary level of automation in mining operations can only be achieved by reaching a higher level of integration in all parts of a mine. Fully integrated underground technologies and processes for diagnosis and extraction as well as communication, health and safety issues are the key for the success of the concept.'

Introduzione (Teaser)

European scientists and engineers are joining forces to revise the image of the extractive sector, still seen as being old fashioned and environmentally unfriendly. They are demonstrating that mineral extraction can be done innovatively and sustainably with low impact underground and zero impact above ground.

Descrizione progetto (Article)

The concept of an invisible, zero-impact mine requires a refined underground technique that selectively extracts the minerals and therefore reduces waste production. To this end, fully integrated underground technologies for diagnosis, extraction and in-situ processing are required. Communication, health and safety aspects are also critical for successfully developing the concept.

The EU-funded project 'Innovative technologies and concepts for the intelligent deep mine of the future' (http://www.i2mine.eu/ (I2Mine)) is developing a set of innovative methods and equipment for efficient mineral exploitation and waste treatment in Europe. Both will take place underground at depths greater than 1 500 m.

The core of the project will be to develop breakthrough technologies for autonomous, highly selective, continuous mineral extraction processes and machinery. This is based on new sensor technologies, face front separation as well as innovative concepts for mass flow management and transportation integrating state-of-the-art technologies.

Project partners have already developed integrated monitoring and numerical modelling tools for detecting and predicting rock stress fields and seismic activities induced by deep mining operations. Afterwards, they have developed a planning procedure for safe deep underground mining applicable to different kinds of mines. The development of a new cutting head able to continuously cut very hard rock, which can today only be exploited by drilling and blasting, has already been finalised. Work toward constructing a new spraying robot for concrete liners has started, improving safety and efficiency.

Scientists have also started constructing efficient and autonomous machinery for extraction and transportation in deep underground mines. This equipment should also include a collision avoidance system and a multi-sensor system for detecting the geological boundary layers.

I2MINE is expected to improve the European extractive sector competitiveness with better equipment design, manufacture and supply.