The Resources Innovation Center Leoben at Montanuniversität Leoben is home to the university’s international partnerships in the areas of sustainable science, education and industrialization. Our vision is to make a climate friendly, sustainable future in the raw materials sector.

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MiReBooks Available

After much fine-tuning, the first edition of MiReBooks in printed form has been printed and is now available. These books will take mining education to a higher level by incorporating VR and AR elements into teaching!

Research Center on Hydrogen and Carbon Officially Opened

The new research center for hydrogen and carbon in Leoben ceremoniously opened its doors on October 17, 2024.
Rector Peter Moser and Vice-Rector Helmut Antrekowitsch emphasized the key role of the new research center for the future development of energy technologies and the importance of cooperation between science and industry. Advanced process technologies are being developed here that will make it possible to provide large quantities of hydrogen for industry. At the same time, the entire value-added cycle of hydrogen and carbon – from production, transportation and storage through to application – is being researched.
Another focus is on researching the sustainable use of carbon in the areas of agriculture, construction and high-tech applications, such as hydrogen storage.

Manuel Ortega, MSc

Manuel joined RIC Leoben in January 2019. He successfully manages the MiReBooks project, “Mixed Reality Handbooks for Mining Education”, a 14 partner pan-European education project, with a budget of 3 Mio EUR. The project is funded by EIT RawMaterials Academy and tackles current needs and gaps in mining education regarding digitalisation of contents and concepts.
Manuel obtained an MSc in mining engineering from León Mining University, Spain. After graduating from university he worked in the oil and gas service industry for many years.
He opted for Leoben because he felt like it was time to return to his mining roots.
Manuel is currently preparing his PhD in the area of a digital teaching platform.

At a glance

Invitation to the SUMEX MOOC – Massive Open Online Course starts on 7 November 2022

Mineral extraction is crucial to Europe’s twin digital and green transition. It is essential that these minerals are not extracted at the expense of the environment and people. In order to have a truly green transition, we also need sustainable management in the extractive sector: Minimising the environmental footprint of an extraction project while at the same time contributing to a local and societal license to operate. This transition to sustainable management is challenging, both for policy and industry.

The SUMEX Massive Open Online Course will address five key challenges that industry and policy face in this transition. The course makes use of scientific concepts and holistic sustainability concepts at the operational level and will outline potential solutions based on practical examples applicable across Europe.

Register Now!

What is in it for you?

  • Design, with other stakeholders, new sustainable management practices
  • Explain the environmental and societal impact of mineral extraction
  • Analyse environmental impact using tools such as the three pillars of sustainability
  • Discover sustainable management best practice in policy and industry

What will you achieve?
By the end of the course, you‘ll be able to…

  • Reflect on the importance of a coherent approach to a sustainability framework in the extractive sector
  • Explain the societal relevance of raw material extraction
  • Investigate the main pillars of sustainable extractive management
  • Apply sustainability frameworks for mineral extraction to different institutional and local contexts
  • Identify and evaluate good practices in the extractive industry in a critical manner
  • Discuss with experts and peers the current state and related challenges of the European extractive sector
  • Explore the SUMEX and other important tools about good practice learning

Who is the course for?

This course is designed for leaders, managers and stakeholders in the mineral extractive industry who want to learn about the challenges, solutions and new developments in sustainability.

It will be especially useful for public administrators and industry practitioners wishing to understand and implement sustainability management at any stage of the mining life cycle, from exploration to post-closure.

This course also benefits those interested in the importance of raw materials for a sustainable future and the challenges connected to them!

New RIC management: Robert Obenaus-Emler

We are very glad that Robert Obenaus-Emler was officially appointed Head of the Resources Innovation Center by the Rectorate of the Montanuniversität Leoben on 14 March 2024.

At the same time, the RIC Leoben was confirmed as one of the seven “Clusters of Excellence” at the research centre of the University.