Innovation Platform for Sustainable Mineral Economics MINECOIN

Introduction

Extractive waste represents one of the largest industrial side streams and the largest single waste stream in Finland. The management and reuse of extractive waste play a key role in the environmental safety of mines, the social acceptability of mining operations and their economic profitability. The promotion of the circular economy in the extractive sector is also supported by the European Commission’s Critical Raw Materials Act, according to which the recycling rate of strategic raw materials in the EU must be raised to at least 15% of total consumption by 2030, the current level being considerably lower. In addition, the EU should have the capacity to produce at least 40% of the EU’s annual consumption of strategic raw materials.

The aim of the Innovation platform for sustainable mineral economics (MINECOIN) project is to build research platforms, in connection with the Geological Survey of Finland’s GTK Mintec pilot plant and research laboratories, for researching long-term field testing of extractive waste and developing its reuse. The new research platforms include the so-called smart tailings pond, the SMARTTEST test field, as well as the development of capabilities for large-scale research into drier tailings disposal methods. Drier extractive waste management methods are becoming available also outside very dry areas, because when used efficiently, they enable more environmentally safe management of extractive waste. The new research and innovation platform will enable the systematic development of extractive waste management methods far into the future.

As a result of this project, GTK Mintec will be equipped with a completely new research and innovation platform for the study of mineral-based side streams and tailings formed in the extractive industry. The investment in the MINECOIN project includes – the construction of a renewed instrumented tailings pond (smart tailings pond)

• the construction of a SMARTTEST test field with research equipment and instruments for research on extractive waste disposal and coverage solutions, and
• tailings dewatering equipment to be installed at the pilot plant for the pre-treatment of research material and
• the development of drier waste management methods.

Amount of EU support: 2 485 154 € (incl. vat 25,5%)

Contact person: Outi Pisto

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