MetalIntelligence — European Industrial Doctorate in future efficient minerals analysis, processing and training

Results in brief

European Industrial Doctorate in future efficient minerals analysis, processing and training

For the EU to become more resource-efficient is recognised as a major societal challenge. However, for the metals sector, the pathway from searching for mineral deposits to metal production is complex and inefficiencies exist due to the involvement of multiple sectors (geosciences, chemical analysts, mining, processing, metallurgy). The overall aim of MetalIntelligence was to disrupt this compartmentalisation, by training 6 Early Stage Researchers (ESR) through a multidisciplinary network of academic and industry leaders with a very broad range of expertise and skills. The issues sought to be resolved were reducing waste, improving efficiency, lowering energy consumption, increasing female participation and reducing operator error. The three main objectives were: 1. Making characterization of raw materials faster and more industry-relevant for more efficient mineral processing 2. Re-writing aspects of the models that are used to predict the behavior of minerals in a processing plant, to increase yield, minimize waste and lower energy consumption 3. Improving the training for operators of very complex minerals processing plants. The team comprised three beneficiaries (two academic, in Ireland and Sweden, and one Industry, Finland) as well as partners from the UK, Ireland, and Finland who provided secondment opportunities and/or industrial supervision. The programme was arranged into six work packages: 1. Management 2. Training 3. Improvement mineral analysis in preparation for more efficient processing 4. Advanced modeling of dynamic minerals processing 5. Modern, technology-enhanced training for future professionals 6. Dissemination The main conclusion of the network is that right in this point in time, the minerals processing industry is in a state of rapid transformation brought about by improved analytical power, improved modelling and training approach. The network has contributed to all three and at its conclusion 50% of the ESRs have already found employment in this industry.

Data: CORDIS, © European Union

Project objective

MetalIntelligence proposes an EID in future efficient minerals analysis, processing and training. Transformational change caused by the third industrial revolution, which itself relies on extraction of raw materials, provides the impetus. A resource-efficient EU is recognised as a societal challenge. However, the pathway from searching for mineral deposits to metal production is complex and involves a number of sectors (geosciences, chemical analysts, mining, processing, metallurgy) that have tended to work in silos. Limited intersectoral collaboration has led to compartmentalised thinking which has become an impediment to improved resource and energy efficiency.The overall aim of MetalIntelligence is to disrupt this compartmentalisation, by training 6 ESRs through a multi-disciplinary network of academic and industry leaders with an exceptionally broad range of expertise and skills. The team comprises three beneficiaries (2 academic, in Ireland and Sweden, and one Industry, Finland) as well as 4 partners (from the UK, Ireland, and Finland) who will provide secondment opportunities and/or industrial supervision.The programme is arranged as work packages (WPs), including management, training, and dissemination as well as three research-driven packages. The first research-based WP aims to improve mineral analysis in preparation for more efficient processing. The second concerns itself with advanced modelling of dynamic minerals processing. The third will research modern, technology-enhanced training for future professionals. The tailor-made training programme consists of network wide components, delivered by industry and academia leaders as well as specific training in the workplace.The objectives of MetalIntelligence were designed to align with European innovation capacity policies and the network will contribute to keeping the industries competitive by developing innovative, more gender-balanced human capital for the raw materials sector in Europe.

Original text from CORDIS.

Participants

THE PROVOST, FELLOWS, FOUNDATION SCHOLARS & THE OTHER MEMBERS OF BOARD, OF THE COLLEGE OF THE HOLY & UNDIVIDED TRINITY OF QUEEN ELIZABETH NEAR DUBLIN · DublinCoordinatorIreland
AGNICO-EAGLE FINLAND OY · KiistalaFinland
IMA ENGINEERING LTD OY · EspooFinland
LULEA TEKNISKA UNIVERSITET · LULEASweden
METSO FINLAND OY · ESPOOFinland
METSO OYJ · ESPOOFinland
OXFORD INSTRUMENTS NANOTECHNOLOGY TOOLS LIMITED · AbingdonUnited Kingdom
Teck Ireland · WicklowIreland

MetalIntelligence · European Industrial Doctorate in future efficient minerals analysis, processing and training

Results in brief

European Industrial Doctorate in future efficient minerals analysis, processing and training

Project objective

Participants

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