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Multiscale Observation Services for Mining-related Deposits
Multiscale observation services for mining-related deposits (MOSMIN) is a research project that aims to develop holistic, full-site services for the environmental monitoring, geotechnical monitoring and valorisation of mining-related deposits.
OBJECTIVES
Environmental Monitoring
Tailings storage facilities and waste rock dumps pose significant environmental risks during operation and post-closure, particularly regarding soil, water, and air contamination. MOSMIN aims to create services and tools for a comprehensive environmental impact assessment of mining residues.
Geotechnical Monitoring
MOSMIN will develop an integrated service to monitor the critical parameters that control the physical stability of tailings and waste rocks, as well as deploy novel low-impact geophysical methods to capture concealed subsurface processes that may impact the stability of mine waste deposits.
Raw Material Valorisation
Mining waste is one of the largest waste streams in the EU but is also an excellent source of various critical raw materials. MOSMIN services will develop integrated 3D models for the characterisation of secondary raw resources in mine waste and enable the tracking of stockpiles using time-resolved, multi-scale spectral data.
MONITORING TECHNOLOGY
MOSMIN services will use Copernicus Earth-observation data for time-resolved, spatially extensive, remote monitoring of ground deformation and surface composition. Innovative change detection algorithms will highlight displacements and identify environmental hazards.
Space
Aerial
Satellite data will be integrated with real-time, high-resolution data from unoccupied aerial vehicles and sensors installed at the site, leveraging the power of machine learning for fusion and resolution enhancement of multi-scale, multi-source data.
Novel, non-invasive geophysical techniques such as distributed fibre-optic sensing and ambient noise seismic will provide subsurface information to identify potential risks such as internal deformation and seepage.
Ground
TARGET AREAS
Tailings Storage Facilities
Tailings storage facilities are dynamic structures designed to store fine-grained waste materials. Since these residues tend to generate acid when exposed to oxidising conditions, tailing dams must be designed to minimise interactions with the local environment to prevent the potential contamination of water.
Waste Rock Dumps
Waste rock dumps store unused extraction products. They are amongst the largest of all man-made structures, reaching heights of up to 500 m. Waste rock dumps are prone to displacement, and pose a risk of potential contamination of soil and water by seepage of acids and metals.
Stockpiles
Stockpiles are typically temporary dumps containing ore that are kept as reserves. Though they are not waste, they still need to be environmentally managed because they are subaerially exposed to seeping rainwater. This can lead to leaching of acids, metals and other chemicals with potential impact on the environment.
PILOT SITES
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Laisvall (Sweden) Boliden
Aitik (Sweden) Boliden
Kevitsa (Finland) Boliden
Roșia Poieni (Romania) CupruMin -
Talabre (Chile) Codelco
Ovejería (Chile) Codelco -
Trident (Zambia) FQM
Kansanshi (Zambia) FQM
PARTNERS
Research Organisations
SMEs
Mining Companies
CONTACT
Project Coordinator
Dr. Moritz Kirsch
Phone: +49 351 260 4439
Email: m.kirsch@hzdr.de
Scientific Advisor
Dr. Richard Gloaguen
Phone: +49 351 260 4424
Email: r.gloaguen@hzdr.de
Administrative Coordinator
Dr. René Booysen
Phone: +49 351 260 4492
Email: r.booysen@hzdr.de
Project Coordinator
Dr. Sandra Lorenz
Phone: +49 351 260 4487
Email: s.lorenz@hzdr.de
Communications Officer
Trevelayne Faller
Phone: +49 351 260 4485
Email: t.faller@hzdr.de
MOSMIN is funded by the European Union Agency for the Space Programme (EUSPA) and coordinated by Helmholtz Institute Freiberg for Resource Technology at the Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf.
