CINTEM - Circularity-integrated mining
Funders
Project information
Project duration
-
Funded by
Business Finland
Funding amount
1 300 000 EUR
Project coordinator
GTK
Unit and faculty
Contact information
Contact person
Researchers
Project description
Most of the material mined and processed in mining operations becomes mineral waste, typically over 90% in metal mining. The main objective of CINTEM is to develop approaches to integrate mining projects in the circular economy by design. This is because a sustainable mining industry is only possible if operations based on separate processes and linear approaches are rejected. They need to be replaced by projects that integrate a variety of industrial sectors and business models in an economically viable and digitally enabled ecosystem which utilizes materials streams from the same operation, and reducing generation of waste.
The utilization of side streams and tailings in the mining industry is still in its infancy, but there is clear raw material potential for the future. Exploration and mining projects as well as the related investment and business models are currently based on targeted utilization of a limited number of commodities and minerals, relying on economies of scale and producing a high proportion of unsegregated mineral wastes. Technology development and new value chains have been identified as means to improve circularity in mining.
CINTEM aims at profoundly transforming the way mining projects, and mineral deposits are considered in the design phase of projects. The project promotes a holistic view of the deposit beyond the main commodities that initially drive exploration and project development. CINTEM wants to effect a change to an ecosystemic and digitally enabled way of operation and investment in which several industries that work with and utilize minerals invest in the project and operate at the mine site together. University of Oulu is participating in the project with research focusing on digital mine and mill (Oulu Mining School), development of new products from mining residues and their utilization (Fibre and Particle Engineering Research Unit) and ecosystems and business models (Industrial Engineering and Management)
