MIRO managed research and technology development (RTD) programmes are initiated through liaison with industry and the research community to ensure that innovation is both industrially relevant and focused on real business priorities. As a result, MIRO has made a significant contribution to technological development in the minerals industry at both a national and international level.

European Focus

Development of industrial and environmental legislation at a European level has created a strong demand for new technological approaches. MIRO has taken a leading role in EU RTD programme activity. In recent years major European projects have included:

Mine waste backfill technology:
development of new technologies for underground disposal of process residues with €2.2m funding from the EU Life Programme

Integrated mine water management:
In partnership with the coal industry in the UK and Romania MIRO is leading development of new strategies for large scale minewater management

Fillers from mine and quarry waste:
MIRO secured funding of €1.7m to develop new technologies for production of low- cost industrial fillers from quarry waste

High temperature processing:
pilot trials using high thermophilic bacteria for leaching base metal & gold bearing sulphide minerals

Waste minimisation and recycling:
MIRO managed thematic network covering more than forty industrial recycling technologies in the minerals and associated sectors

Strategic Programmes

MIRO has established a capability for management and implementation of major strategic research programmes. Since 2002 MIRO has assumed responsibility for management of the Mineral Industry Sustainable Technology (MIST) Programme and the Sustainable Land Won and Marine Dredged Aggregate Minerals Programme (SAMP). Both programmes are funded by UK Government and provide resources to support minerals sector R&D with a combined value of around £5m each year.

Global Initiatives

The minerals industry operates on a global basis and MIRO has developed many research activities that recognise the need for international transferability and co-ordination.

Establishment of new technology development projects is being co-ordinated through MIRO’s new international RTD programme the Future Technologies Initiative (FTI), which is defined in relation to global mineral sector technology requirements with a particular focus on development of technologies for longer term economic & environmental sustainabiltiy.

Through a series of industry defined Thematic Priorities it is anticipated that the FTI will become the primary focus for international minerals industry research & development, and a basis for co-ordination with other national and international programmes worldwide.