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MINEYE - Earth observation techniques for mine life cycle monitoring

The MINEYE project aims to optimize European mining operations by addressing the entire mining value chain, from explorations to mine closure. The project will develop tools for visualization and decision-making, supported by dynamic updates of Earth Observation data and knowledge using machine learning and digital twin technologies.

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MINEYE is an Innovation Action under Horizon Europe Cluster 4: Digital, Industry, and Space, and has been awarded a 5.8 Million EUR project grant. It responds to the call topic "HORIZON-CL4-2023-RESILIENCE-01-06: Earth Observation platform, products and services for raw materials".

MINEYE aims to secure future access to EU raw materials using Earth Observation data and environmentally-friendly exploration approaches. The project work focusses on near-mine exploration and optimization of mineral extraction from primary and secondary deposits using cutting-edge data fusion methods. By unlocking the potential of Earth Observation data, including Copernicus, commercial satellites, upcoming hyperspectral missions, and airborne as well as in situ data, MINEYE will solve specific needs within the mining value chain. 

Access to critical and strategic minerals and metals

The MINEYE project’s overall ambition is to increase access to critical and strategic minerals and metals in Europe with full consideration of environmental and social aspects, by providing the mining industry with proven and validated solutions for the uptake of Earth Observation data and technology.

MINEYE will strengthen EU autonomy in primary and secondary raw materials, while also reducing the environmental impacts of mining.

The challenge of reducing the environmental impacts of mining will be achieved by developing these Earth Observation methods for the entire mining value chain. MINEYE aims to develop innovative and competitive technologies for the mineral exploration, operational, closure, and post-closure stages.

Pilot sites

The technologies will be demonstrated at pilot sites in Europe, in a variety of mining contexts, from greenfield to brownfield, to secondary deposits, and at different phases of the mining life cycle. The MINEYE pilot sites include:

  • Iberian Pyrite Belt, Spain
  • Norrbotten ore province, Sweden
  • Mines in Italy and Albania

Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or HaDEA. Neither the European Union nor HaDEA can be held responsible for them.

Europe’s industrial competitiveness strongly depends on strategic and critical raw materials that play key roles in the green and digital transformation. However, Europe has limited known domestic resources, and the depletion of easy-to-access raw materials makes it dependent on countries outside of Europe, challenging the security of supply, especially in times of economic uncertainty and geopolitical turmoil.

The competitiveness of the European mining industry is also being challenged by increasing production costs and the increasing stringency of environmental rules. Mineral exploration activities are associated with high uncertainties, high impacts, and high investments. Thus, valuable mineral potentials are underexploited for economic, social, or environmental reasons.

The key to overcoming these challenges and allowing Europe’s raw material value chain to be competitive, more autonomous, and resilient, is to develop ways to make it more sustainable, from a financial, but also environmental and social standpoint.

A consortium of 13 partners from nine European countries will bring this project forward. NGI – Norwegian Geotechnical Institute is the coordinating institution of the consortium, which consists of technology providers, mining operators, and Europe's top-level mining industry-focused universities, with proven track records of implementing digital and autonomous solutions in the mining and geo- and environmental-engineering sectors.

Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or HaDEA. Neither the European Union nor HaDEA can be held responsible for them.

  • MINEYE is an Innovation Action under Horizon Europe Cluster 4: Digital, Industry, and Space, and has been awarded a 5.8 Million EUR project grant. It responds to the call topic "HORIZON-CL4-2023-RESILIENCE-01-06: Earth Observation platform, products and services for raw materials".

    MINEYE aims to secure future access to EU raw materials using Earth Observation data and environmentally-friendly exploration approaches. The project work focusses on near-mine exploration and optimization of mineral extraction from primary and secondary deposits using cutting-edge data fusion methods. By unlocking the potential of Earth Observation data, including Copernicus, commercial satellites, upcoming hyperspectral missions, and airborne as well as in situ data, MINEYE will solve specific needs within the mining value chain. 

    Access to critical and strategic minerals and metals

    The MINEYE project’s overall ambition is to increase access to critical and strategic minerals and metals in Europe with full consideration of environmental and social aspects, by providing the mining industry with proven and validated solutions for the uptake of Earth Observation data and technology.

    MINEYE will strengthen EU autonomy in primary and secondary raw materials, while also reducing the environmental impacts of mining.

    The challenge of reducing the environmental impacts of mining will be achieved by developing these Earth Observation methods for the entire mining value chain. MINEYE aims to develop innovative and competitive technologies for the mineral exploration, operational, closure, and post-closure stages.

    Pilot sites

    The technologies will be demonstrated at pilot sites in Europe, in a variety of mining contexts, from greenfield to brownfield, to secondary deposits, and at different phases of the mining life cycle. The MINEYE pilot sites include:

    • Iberian Pyrite Belt, Spain
    • Norrbotten ore province, Sweden
    • Mines in Italy and Albania

    Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or HaDEA. Neither the European Union nor HaDEA can be held responsible for them.

  • Europe’s industrial competitiveness strongly depends on strategic and critical raw materials that play key roles in the green and digital transformation. However, Europe has limited known domestic resources, and the depletion of easy-to-access raw materials makes it dependent on countries outside of Europe, challenging the security of supply, especially in times of economic uncertainty and geopolitical turmoil.

    The competitiveness of the European mining industry is also being challenged by increasing production costs and the increasing stringency of environmental rules. Mineral exploration activities are associated with high uncertainties, high impacts, and high investments. Thus, valuable mineral potentials are underexploited for economic, social, or environmental reasons.

    The key to overcoming these challenges and allowing Europe’s raw material value chain to be competitive, more autonomous, and resilient, is to develop ways to make it more sustainable, from a financial, but also environmental and social standpoint.

  • A consortium of 13 partners from nine European countries will bring this project forward. NGI – Norwegian Geotechnical Institute is the coordinating institution of the consortium, which consists of technology providers, mining operators, and Europe's top-level mining industry-focused universities, with proven track records of implementing digital and autonomous solutions in the mining and geo- and environmental-engineering sectors.

    Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or HaDEA. Neither the European Union nor HaDEA can be held responsible for them.

Portrait of Sean Salazar

Sean Salazar

Senior Engineer Remote Sensing and Geophysics sean.salazar@ngi.no
 +47 459 13 492
Portrait of Saman Tavakoli

Saman Tavakoli

Senior Engineer Remote Sensing and Geophysics saman.tavakoli@ngi.no
 +47 938 37 227