RIC is glad to support the ERASMUS+ project “EdUp”, coordinated by TU Bergakademie Freiberg, that aims at providing digital course contents and curricula upscaling opportunities for Ukrainian universities during the currently challenging period.
With EdUp, we will increase the already existing support activities that allow Ukrainian HEIs to keep up their study programmes by incorporating digital courses from partners and integrating them into their teaching. The project will offer a digital platform with new courses that cover already identified needs and increase the opportunities for UA partners to create digital courses. Within this project, RIC / Montanuniversität Leoben will provide a selection of education courses during the next two years.
We are excited that EIT RawMaterials selected our project proposal “PRO-SLO” for funding! The aim of the winter school project “PRO-SLO – building PROfessional SLO Competence” is to bridge the gap between Raw Materials operations and economic, social and ethical discourse, and will provide the raw materials industry with future leaders who are competent and confident to master the complex processes of obtaining and maintaining a Social Licence to Operate (SLO) for their raw materials projects. We are very proud to coordinate a highly motivated expert consortium and look forward to collaborating over the coming three years and beyond!
18 – 20 October 2023 in Dubrovnik/Croatia
do you want to learn about the latest trends in mechanical hard rock excavation?
Then come to join us in Dubrovnik in October! The RIC team managed to invite
experts from SANDVIK and EPIROC who will present their latest technology!
There will also be machines for use at extremely low mining heights from DOK-ING, innovative blasting methods, as well as insights into research projects around mining with robots and microorganisms.
Get more details and apply here: https://dim-esee.eu/
Embedding digital thinking into the heart of the mining business
Duration: 09/2020 – 08/2023
To foster more, but sustainable mineral production in the EU, SUMEX establishes a sustainability framework for the extractive industry in Europe. It does so by considering the Sustainable Development Goals, the European Green Deal, as well as EU Social License to Operate considerations and involves stakeholders from industry, government, academia and civil society backgrounds from all across the EU. This framework is then applied across the extractive value chain to analyse the mineral, as well as relevant economic, environmental and social policy frameworks of the EU, member states and selected regions along five focus areas – socio-economic and environmental impact assessments, land use planning, health and safety, reporting official statistics and permitting processes/policy integration-to find, or build, where needed, good practices or tools for an open access toolkit, which will be embedded in a broader Community of Practise (CoP) and which forms the basis for capacity building. This CoP will consider relevant stakeholder groups, with a focus on permitting authorities, across the EU, providing a digital platform and using a series of workshops and webinars. In SUMEX, the experience from other projects builds a powerful foundation for addressing the challenge of how best to implement sustainability considerations into the whole raw materials value chain.
Partner: Montanuniversität Leoben (Department Mineral Resources Engineering, Lead), Boliden Mineral AB, Joanneum Research, AMS AG, DMT GmbH&Co KG , EPIROC Rock Drills AB, KGHM Cuprum, GEOTEKO SERWIS SPOLKA, KGHM POLSKA MIEDZ SA, RHI Magnesita GmbH, DSI Underground Austria GmbH, FUNDACION TECNALIA Research & Inovation, IMA Engineering Ltd OY, INSTYTUT CHEMII BIOORGANICZNEJ POLSKIE, Minera de Orgiva SL, Retenua AB, Universidad Politecnica de Madrid, WORLDSENSING SL
Duration: 01/2021 – 03/2024
RM@Schools-ESEE focusses on an innovative programme to make science education and careers in RM attractive for young students, especially in the ESEE region. It is in line with RM@Schools 3.0, the flasgship programme for EIT Raw Materials and will share tools and activities with the latter. An active learning approach will be proposed to schools by RM Ambassadors (experts in some RM-related issues and trained teachers) by involving students in experiments with RM-related hands-on educational kits, in excursions to industries, and in science dissemination activities. The students will be asked to become Young RM Ambassadors themselves (science communicators) by creating dissemination products and/or collaborating with ewxperts during public events. All the produced materials and the best communication materials realised by students will be accessible online to be shared with a wider public.
Groups of delegates (partners, teachers and students from high schools) from all the Consortium’ countries will take part at the annual European Conference jointly organised with RM@Schools 3.0 project, to puzzle a unique great European Networks of schools, universities, research centres and collaborative companies.
New hands-on tools for supporting experimental activities at school will be set up and developed as well as succesful educational tools realised in other projects will be used in the RM@Schools-ESEE network to share the common beneficts. Finally, some career orienting actions will be performed both at European and local level. In fact, International RM@Schools Summer Camps for the most motivated and interested students from all the partners’countries will be organised as well as local Career Orientation Days where RM@Schools students will interact directly with universities and companies to obtain information on job opportunities in the different sectors.
Partner: Montanuniversität Leoben (RIC Leoben), AGH University of Science and Technology, Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche (CNR), Foundation myclimate, Geological Survey of Sweden – SGU, National Technical University of Athens – NTUA, Technical University of Kosice, Technische Universität Wien, Technische Universität Bergakademie Freiberg (TUBAF), University of Miskolc, University of Zagreb – Faculty of Mining, Geology and Petroleum Engineering (UNIZG-RGNF)
Raw Matters Ambassadors at Schools 3.0
Duration: 01/2018 – 03/2024
RM@Schools focusses on an innovative programme to make science education and careers in the Raw Materials sector attractive for students aged between 10-19. An active learning is proposed to schools by Raw Materials Ambassadors (experts in some Raw Materials-related issues and trained teachers) by involving students in experiments with Raw Materials-related hands-on educational kits, in excursions in industries, and in science dissemination activities.
The students will be required and challenged to become Young Raw Materials Ambassadors themselves (science communicators) and create dissemination products (i.e. videos, cards, experiments, etc.) focused on issues related to Raw Materials: 1. Exploration, 2. Mining, 3. Metallurgy, 4. Recycling, 5. Substitution of critical raw materials and 6. Circular Economy.
An annual competition is organised by and hosted at Montanuniversität Leoben. Here schools from all over Austria may take part to present their projects, and their roles as young RM Ambassadors.
The school(s) with the best communication product will receive the opportunity to represent Austria at the annual European Conference in Bologna, Italy, together with delegates (students and teachers) from schools all over Europe.
All products realised by the pupils are accessible online and available to be shared with a wider public.
Partner: Montanuniversität Leoben (RIC Leoben), Aalto University, Alma Mater Studiorum – Universita di Bologna, ART-ER S. Cons. p a., Bay Zoltan Nonprofit Ltd. for Applied Research, Commissariat à l’énergie atomique et aux énergies alternatives, CEA, Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche (CNR), ERION, Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft zur Förderung der angewandten Forschung e.V., Geological Survey of Slovenia (GeoZS), Geological Survey of Sweden – SGU, Kungliga Tekniska Högskolan – KTH, Politecnico di Milano, Rheinisch-Westfaelische Technische Hochschule Aachen – RWTH Aachen, Stichting Wetsus European Centre of Excellence for Sustainable Water Technology (Wetsus), Tallinn University of Technology, TU Clausthal, Universidad Politecnica de Madrid – UPM, Universidade Nova de Lisboa, Università degli Studi di Milano – Bicocca, Université de Liège
SECURE AND SUSTAINABLE SUPPLY OF RAW MATERIALS FOR EU INDUSTRY
Duration: 01/2023 – 06/2025
S34I will research and innovate new data-driven methods to analyse Earth Observation (EO) data, supporting systematic mineral exploration and continuous monitoring of extraction, closure and post-closure activities with the aim to increase European knowledge and autonomy on raw materials resources. S34I uses EO not only for the management of technical and environmental issues for a green transition but also to support mining’s social acceptance (SLO) and better legislation.
Innovative EO-based products/services will provide new or more accurate RM mineral mapping/exploration, environmental and mine monitoring and mine safety, at different phases of the mine life cycle.
S34I will exploit Copernicus and other satellite sensors (optical and radar), while other platforms as airborne, low-altitude platforms, ground-based, in-situ techniques/methods, and fieldwork will serve either for calibration, validation or to complement Copernicus data especially at the very high scale spatial or spectral resolution.
S34I will provide 6 new open high added value datasets, 14 new methods to analyse EO data using Artificial Intelligence being utilized at different phases of the mining life cycle, 3 new prototyped EO based services for mining stakeholders, 1 research and innovation agenda on EO for mining, a set of recommendations for better policy, and guidelines for EO uptake by the mining industry. S34I results will be validated at six different locations in different phases of the mining life-cycle: (i) land exploration in Spain; (ii) coastal exploration at the Iberian Peninsula Atlantic coast; iii) extraction phase in Austria and; iv) closure/post-closure phase in Finland and Germany.
S34I is an EU wide interdisciplinary and complementary team embracing partners from 13 countries and with a 50/50 balance between industrial and research profiles. S34I mining stakeholders will lead the path towards mining de-carbonization while creating social and economic impact through EO uptake.
SUstainable Management in EXtractive industries
Duration: 11/2020 – 10/2023
To foster more, but sustainable mineral production in the EU, SUMEX establishes a sustainability framework for the extractive industry in Europe. It does so by considering the Sustainable Development Goals, the European Green Deal, as well as EU Social License to Operate considerations and involves stakeholders from industry, government, academia and civil society backgrounds from all across the EU. This framework is then applied across the extractive value chain to analyse the mineral, as well as relevant economic, environmental and social policy frameworks of the EU, member states and selected regions along five focus areas – socio-economic and environmental impact assessments, land use planning, health and safety, reporting official statistics and permitting processes/policy integration-to find, or build, where needed, good practices or tools for an open access toolkit, which will be embedded in a broader Community of Practise (CoP) and which forms the basis for capacity building. This CoP will consider relevant stakeholder groups, with a focus on permitting authorities, across the EU, providing a digital platform and using a series of workshops and webinars. In SUMEX, the experience from other projects builds a powerful foundation for addressing the challenge of how best to implement sustainability considerations into the whole raw materials value chain.
Partner: Montanuniversität Leoben (Department Mineral Resources Engineering, Lead), Oeko-Institut e.V. – Institut für angewandte Ökologie, Tallinna Tehnikaülikool, Wirtschaftsuniversität Wien, Lapin Yliopisto, Wageningen University, Federation Europeenne des Geologues, Berufsverband Deutscher Geowissenschaftler e.V., Luonnon-, ympäristö- ja metsätieteilijöiden liitto Loimu ry, Eesti Geoloogia Selts, Ilustre Colegio Oficial de Geologos, Boliden Mineral AB, Union Europeenne des Producteurs de Granulats, Secretaria General de Industria y Minas,
Material and digital traceability for the certification of critical raw materials
Duration: 01/2023 – 12/2025
MaDiTraCe’s main goal is to enlarge and integrate the portfolio of technological solutions reinforcing the reliability of critical raw material (CRM) tracking and the transparency of complex supply chains. The project aims to develop and test independent digital and geo-based approaches for CRM traceability and to integrate them with a generic certification scheme for CRMs throughout mineral supply chains from the mine to the manufactured and recycled products. The project intends to increase the TRL of experimental or largely untested methods in both domains, digital and material sciences. A special attention will be payed to the complexity of mineral supply chains with points of material aggregation and of transformation (processing, refining…) including circular economy (recycling). This methodology will enable downstream industrials to prove the reliability of their sustainability claims, complying with regulation in force (notably EU Battery regulation, German Supply Chain Act) and anticipating implementation of regulation to come (EU Directive on Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence).
MaDiTraCe’s fundament is a strong stakeholder process with upstream and downstream industrials from mining to manufacturing industry and large networks involved via the consortia (EIT-RM) and clusters (ISMC) participating in the project.
Continuous interaction with this industrial and policy-oriented stakeholder community on the traceability technology and the certification schemes developed in the project will ensure to stay in line with industrial needs and expectations with respect to regulatory compliance. It will also facilitate implementation and exploitation of the project outcomes.
Global Stakeholder Platform for Responsible Sourcing of Mineral Raw Materials
The project will set up an international platform on responsible sourcing (RS) that: 1. facilitates the development of a globally accepted definition of RS, 2. develops ideas for incentives facilitating responsible business conduct in the EU, supporting RS initiatives, 3. enables exchange of stakeholders for information exchange and promotion, 4. fosters the emergence of RS in international political fora, and 5. supports the European Innovation Partnership on Raw Materials.
To achieve the above mentioned objectives, the platform will connect experts and stakeholders by means of a physical element (“Platform Spaces”) and digital element (“Digital Ground”):
The Platform Spaces will allow practitioners (i) to gain a hands-on and peer-to-peer learning experience in workshops and site visits to exchange and learn from enabling factors, instruments and tools facilitating RS initiatives and business conduct for practitioners, and (ii) to engage with stakeholders at international conferences to further the concept of RS on the global political agenda.
Duration: 11/2019 – 10/2023
Partner: Montanuniversität Leoben (Chair of Mining Engineering and Mineral Economics), Oeko-institut E.v. – Institut fuer Angewandte Oekologie, World Resources Forum Association, Tallinna Tehnikaulikool, MH Intelligence (Uk) Ltd, Stichting Onderzoek Multinationaleondernemingen, Rcs Global Upstream Ltd, WWF Deutschland, EIT Raw Materials Gmbh, Lulea Tekniska Universitet, Ahk Business Center Sa
Dubrovnik International ESEE Mining School
Duration: 04/2017 – 03/2025
The main objective of the project is knowledge transfer, as well as strengthening innovation capacities in the mining, recycling and waste management sectors. This is a lifelong learning project that will be implemented in close partnership with industry stakeholders in all project consortium countries.
During the years of project implementation, the following key topics were / are analyzed:
• 2017: Zero waste management
• 2018: Deep intelligent mining
• 2019: Small mining sites
• 2020: Recycling
• 2021: Innovation in Exploration
• 2022: Innovation in Orebody Characterization
• 2023: Innovation in Extraction
• 2024: Innovation in Ore Processing
The knowledge and skills gained at DIM aim at increasing the employability of mining engineers. In the long run, the programme will lead to an increase in sustainable mining and processing activities, which will result in economic growth and the creation of employment in respective countries.
Partner: Montanuniversität Leoben (RIC Leoben), University of Zagreb, Slovenian National Building and Civil Engineering Institute, Dnipro University of Technology (NMU Ukraine), University of Miskolc, Technical University of Kosice, AGH University of Science and Technology, University of Belgrade – Faculty of Mining & Geology (UNIBG-RGF), University of Mining and Geology St. Ivan Rilski (Sofia)
Innovative Digital Sustainable Aggregates System
Duration: 06/2021 – 05/2025
The European aggregates extractive industry is, by far, the biggest non-energy extractive industries in the EU (Eurostat 2017): 26000 estimated extraction sites: 81,26% of the total EU mining and quarrying sites, 3000 million ton extracted and supplied to the EU internal market, ~ 220000 persons directly employed. Hence the EU faces the need of sustainable and competitive future for European Raw Materials specially in the construction sector due to a greater anticipated demand for products linked to human well-being, health, safety and sustainability. DIGIECOQUARRY will exploit the aggregates industry´s great potential through a coordinated approach towards construction materials management with the final goal of reducing EU external supply dependency as well as leading an efficient use of resources.
DIGIECOQUARRY will develop systems, technology and processes for integrated digitisation and automation real-time process control, to be piloted in 5 EU quarries with the target of improving health and safety conditions for workers. The pilot campaigns will lead to improved efficiency of processes maximizing quarry resources and sustainable management of water, energy emissions, minimised environmental impact and expanding the EU aggregates and construction business. Coupling Artificial Intelligence approaches with cyber-physical systems and the Internet of Things concept, make Industry 4.0 approach possible and the smart sustainable extractive site a reality. All phases of the process, from extraction to the end user are covered by DIGIECOQUARRY, ensuring communication with policy makers, social acceptance activities and international cooperation with Colombia and South Africa to share knowledge and best practices. The development of an innovative Intelligent Quarrying System (IQS) will increase the sustainable supply of minerals for the construction sector as well as enabling the sustainable extraction of EU´s mineral resources in existing and new quarries.
Duration: 09/2020 – 08/2023
The aim of this ERASMUS+ project is to create a strategic partnership between universities and companies and to develop a comprehensive educational platform that will help modify existing study programs related to the extractive industry and increase knowledge on proper waste management incorporating the circular economy approach.
The RIC Education Team was tasked with developing a model degree program on “Circular Economy in the Extractive Industry” that would provide knowledge on proper waste management incorporating the concept of circular economy. The model course of study was completed in 2022 and is based on comprehensive findings and analysis from key stakeholders in the extractive industry and tertiary education from across Europe.
Evaluation of potential excavation methods for a bio-inspired modular robotic miner
Duration: 06/2019 – 05/2023
The aim of the ROBOMINERS project is the development of a small-scale mining robot, which will be capable of exploring difficult to access deposits and selective mining underground, under water and in slurries. Considerably low weight and power are challenges to be overcome in this project. Core element of the robominer is the main module, in which the locomotion and powering system will be implemented. Additional elements in the robot are sensors for navigation and perception and a production tool system. The locomotion system consists of a 4-screw combination, which can be extended in radial direction.
The tasks of MUL include the evaluation of potential production tool systems for future robotic miners (concluding a guideline with applicability potential and limitations) and the design of the production tool concept for the full-scale prototype. In mining, the excavation of material can be performed by many different methods. For a subsequent assessment, the excavation methods are classified in four main categories: drilling and blasting, mechanical excavation, alternative excavation and combined excavation. The applicability of the production tool system is depending on some properties:
· Excavation rate
· Penetration rate (Advance rate)
· Specific energy
· Limitations (rock strength, flexibility, mobility)
· Need of auxiliary equipment
A crucial factor is the capability of handling the reaction forces: although mechanical excavation systems are widely applied and well proven, such methods can be used to a very limited extent in robots. An attempt to remedy this is made by resorting to alternative or combined excavation methods. Depending on the task to be done (exploration in already existing mines or tunnelling), certain applications require specialized equipment in future – hybrid excavation systems could be a game changer for hard rock conditions. Until now, it could be determined that the combination of drilling and secondary rock fracturing technologies provide promising options for dealing with hard rock conditions.
Duration: 01/2019 – 12/2025
The project transfers tailor made successful programmes already implemented within EIT RawMaterials into the ESEE region, making these programmes available to those who have not yet become KIC partners or to individuals for the benefit of the innovativeness of the region. One programme is RACE, a learning journey for industrial R&D professionals organised by EIT RawMaterials and hosted by its industrial partners.
Partner: Montanuniversität Leoben (RIC Leoben), Aalto University, CSIC (Spanish National Research Council), Agenzia Nazionale per le Nuove Tecnologie, l’Energia e lo Sviluppo Economico Sostenibile (ENEA), AGH University of Science and Technology, Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche (CNR), ERION, Geological Survey of Slovenia (GeoZS), Hub Innovazione Trentino – Fondazione (HIT), Kaunas University of Technology, KGHM Polska Miedz Spólka Akcyjna, LTU Business AB, MANTIS BUSINESS INNOVATION, National Technical University of Athens – NTUA, Occami B.V., Rheinisch-Westfaelische Technische Hochschule Aachen (RWTH Aachen), Riga Technical University, Tallinn University of Technology, Technical University of Kosice, Technische Universität Bergakademie Freiberg (TUBAF), Tecnalia Ventures, S.L., Sociedad Unipersonal, Trinity College Dublin, University of Banja Luka (UNiBL), University of Belgrade – Faculty of Mining & Geology (UNIBG-RGF), University of Mining and Geology St. Ivan Rilski, Sofia, University of Miskolc, University of Pannonia, University of Sarajevo, University of Tuzla, University of Zagreb – Faculty of Mining, Geology and Petroleum Engineering (UNIZG-RGNF), University of Zenica, Metallurgical institute Kemal Kapetanović, ZAG (Slovenian National Building and Civil Engineering Institute)
Development and implementation of EIT Raw Materials Master Programme(s) in Sustainable Materials
Duration: 01/2021 – 03/2025
The project IMAGINE involves a large consortium of universities with a solid educational research excellence based background in different aspects of materials processing and with an explicit interest in sustainability aspects of materials. The consortium proposes a ‘fast track’ pilot action involving the integration of 4 existing Master programs into an EIT label compatible pilot Master program on which the partners can build a joint final Master program. The SUMA master programmes started in September 2016 and developed into more study tracks since then. The Master programs will focus on materials processing and recycling, circular (eco)design, life cycle engineering and circular economy design, materials substitution, manufacturing, entrepreneurship and innovation and will mandatorily involve studies in two different institutions and am internship in a company.
Partner: Montanuniversität Leoben (Chair of Nonferrous Metallurgy), AGH University of Science and Technology, Atlantic Copper S.L.U., Institut polytechnique de Grenoble (Grenoble Institute of Technology, INP), Katholieke Universiteit te Leuven (KU Leuven), UMICORE NV, Universidad Politecnica de Madrid, UPM (Technical University of Madrid), Università degli Studi di Milano – Bicocca (University of Milano- Bicocca), Università degli Studi di Trento
Open ESEE – East & South-East Europe
Duration: 04/2018 – 03/2022
The aim of OpESEE (Open ESEE – East & South-East Europe) master’s degree program is to create highly qualified mechanical and process engineers from the ESEE region with a specialization in maintenance for raw materials services for the ESEE region. To avoid brain-drain and to improve the economic development of their home region it is very important that students stay and work in their home countries after having completed their high-quality education. The training focus not only on the transfer of technical know-how but also in the knowledge transfer of entrepreneurship and innovation. By developing real innovative business models students shall be encouraged to found their own start-up business. The aim is to use the full potential of creative ideas and inventions from the ESEE region and to make innovations happen where they have their origin.
Partner: Montanuniversität Leoben (RIC Leoben), Liebherr-International AG, Dnipro University of Technology, Lappeenranta University of Technology, Ovidius University of Constanta, Technical University of Kosice, Technische Universität Bergakademie Freiberg, Trinity College Dublin, University of Miskolc, University of Sarajevo
Minimize sinter degradation and segregation
Duration: 07/2019 – 06/2023
To ensure a sufficient gas distribution in the blast furnace, fine-grained input materials must be agglomerated by sintering.
Between sinter plant and blast furnace the sinter passes through various conveying systems, coolers, sieves, and bunkers. Due to mechanical stress the sinter degrades partly. Before charging the blast furnace the resulting fines <5mm are screened out and are fed to the sinter plant again.
As iron ore sintering is a highly energy consuming process, these return fines cause high costs and emissions. Additionally, segregation effects during transport and storing lead to fluctuations in the particle size distribution, thus to fluctuations of the gas distribution in the blast furnace.
The aim of this project is to reduce costs and emissions by minimizing return fines and segregation. MinSiDeg received funding by the EU and is executed by 6 partners in Austria and Germany.
At first the breakage behavior of sinter, especially the particle size distribution after damaging events is an important aspect for discrete element simulations. Because of great heterogeneity and big differences in particle shapes, a high number of tests was necessary.
Based on test results, a new breakage model was developed to predict bulk material degradation with discrete element simulations. This will be used to optimize critical sections in existing sinter transportation and storage plants. Furthermore, innovative transportation, transfer and storage systems will be tested to save return fines and stabilize particle size distribution.
Upscaling of two step dust recycling process for EAF dust
Duration: 01/2020 – 12/2021
Zinc is mainly used for the galvanization of steel products to protect them against corrosion. After the lifetime of these products (e.g. car bodies or construction elements) they return to the steel mill as scrap, if recycled. The Electric Arc Furnace (EAF) is the common recycling facility for this purpose and uses up to 100% scrap. Within this process, roughly 20 kg of zinc containing dust is produced per ton of steel, ending up in 1.3 mio tons of so called EAF dust per year in Europe. At present, only about half of this amount is treated in huge centralized facilities, recovering only zinc.
The novel ‘2sDR’ (two-step dust recycling) process represents the first zero-waste technology for zinc recycling and offers a flexible, environmental friendly and effective solution for steel mills to operate their own recycling process avoiding transport or disposal costs.
The process consists of two steps, using two different metallurgical technologies: The material is clinkered in a short rotary kiln to remove harmful elements and then reduced in an Electric Arc Furnace. Zinc is extracted via the off gas as Oxide and can be sold, iron occurs in form of an alloy that is reused in iron and steel industry. The residual slag can be used for construction purposes.
During the project duration, this process will be up scaled to semi-industrial size, technological and financial viability will be proven. Based on the outcome of this project, the technology is brought to market and the first recycling plant using the proposed ‘2sDR’technology shall be erected in Austria.
Partner: Montanuniversität Leoben (Chair of Nonferrous Metallurgy, Partner: Lead), ARP GmbH, Politecnico di Milano, Primetals Technologies Austria GmbH, Marienhütte GmbH, Slovenian National Building and Civil Engineering Institute
Mixed Reality Handbooks for Mining Education
Duration: 01/2019 – 12/2021
MiReBooks produces a series of Virtual & Augmented Reality based interactive mining handbooks as a new digital standard for higher mining education across Europe.
In the project “MiReBooks” a series of virtual and augmented reality-based (Mixed Reality, MR) interactive mining handbooks will be produced as a new digital standard for higher mining education throughout Europe. Many current challenges in mining education will be confronted in an innovative way, by combining classical paper-based teaching materials with MR materials and their transformation into pedagogically and didactically coherent MR handbooks for integrative classroom use. The approach will be used in the future also in other disciplines. With MiReBooks the way of teaching will change as instructors will be able to engage their students in a more effective way and offer them an enriched content repertoire as well as an increased comprehension opportunity.
The array of possible industrial mine environment examples that students can be immersed into becomes endless and thus the industry will receive graduates that are familiarized in-depth with a holistic view on the industrial context. Students will enter the job market skilled as digital natives and highly influence the way the industry will work and develop in this way in the future. Mixed Reality is certainly a most promising way to enable users to make the most of their learning experience and thus leverage the improvement of operational efficiencies and innovation.
Technically, the MiReBooks-assisted lectures will include Smartphones with a special App that allows the students to trigger additional information (3D images, videos) from augmented illustrations within the MiReBooks textbooks. In addition, with virtual reality goggles they will be able to immerse themselves into a virtual mining environment/3D-filmed sequence of a real mine process.
Montanuniversität Leoben (RIC Leoben, Lead), Epiroc Rock Drills, KGHM, LTU Business, Luleå University of Technology, LKAB, RWTH Aachen, Tallinn University of Technology, Technische Universität Graz, Technische Universität Bergakademie Freiberg, VTT – Technical Research Centre of Finland, Università degli Studi di Trento