News - Latest News
Great success for MIRO!
The major European mining initiative ‘IntelliMine‘ will receive
funding from the European Commission. The second stage proposal
achieved third place in the production technologies area and was thus one
of the most successful proposals ever. The project proposal was
developed by MIRO project manager Horst Hejny with the cooperation of the
industrial and academic partners.
Grant Agreement negotiations are progressing and the project is
scheduled to start on Nov 1st, 2011. Coordinator of the project
is LKAB of Sweden. MIRO will act as project manager and will be
responsible for PR activities, dissemination and exploitation.
IntelliMine addresses the challenges of future deep mining. The
mine of the future will exploit mineral raw materials at greater
depths than today, requiring different and innovative approaches
compared to today’s deep mines. Only eco-efficient mines will
contribute to improved access to domestic mineral resources,
secure the sustainable supply of mineral raw materials for
Europe and reduce the import dependency.
IntelliMine will contribute to the realisation of the concepts
of invisible, zero-impact and safe mines. The mine of tomorrow
will run an integrated concept in order to guarantee the desired
level of sustainability. All operations necessary for the
eco-efficient provision of the minerals including waste
management will be carried out underground. This will
drastically reduce the volumes being transported, minimising
above ground installations and thus the environmental impact.
IntelliMine will develop the necessary innovative methods,
technologies, machines and equipment for the safe,
eco-innovative, intelligent and economic exploitation of mineral
raw materials in the EU, including maintenance issues,
especially at greater depths.
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The core of the project will be to investigate breakthrough
technologies for autonomous, highly selective mineral extraction
processes and machinery based on new sensor technologies as well
as innovative concepts for mass flow management and
transportation. Such investigations have to be accompanied by
rock mechanics and ground control issues as well as health,
safety and environmental issues.
The concept of an invisible, zero-impact mine requires a refined
process underground that selectively mines the minerals and
therefore reduces waste production closer to the mineralisation.
Therefore improved near-to-face processing methods including
backfill procedures need to be developed. The necessary level of
automation in mining operations regarding health and safety and
logistics issues can only be achieved by reaching a higher level
of integration in all parts of a mine. Fully integrated
underground technologies and processes for diagnosis and
extraction as well as communication, health and safety issues
are the key for the success of the concept.
Great Crested Newts - Research Concept
Using
Great Crested Newts (GCN) as an exemplar, could there be a
speedier and more cost effective way of dealing with the subject
of Protected Species through the quarry planning application
process? This is not about challenging their status or trying to
evade the problem but rather the opposite. This project aims to
explore these possibilities with all of the interested
stakeholders.
Could, for example, an “average typical expected density” be
assumed for any landscape/geographical sub area and a relocation
area identified from Day One of any project at the planning
stage. This would not particularly change the outcome from that
achieved today but might speed up the process by 3-6 months (by
avoiding the need to wait for the result from a field survey).
The acid test that precipitates the survey burden is maintenance
of favourable conservation status, a requirement imposed by the
Habitats Directive. To assess whether this can be achieved, a
metric needs to be established against which impacts can be
assessed and proportionate mitigation devised.
For example, if a reliable population assessment can be
‘assumed’ on the basis of landscape features, or with reference
to a nationwide model, the licensing process might be able to be
initiated and planning applications determined even without the
benefit of site-specific survey information
It is proposed, therefore, to consult initially with a wide
range of stakeholders with the aim of exploring alternative
scenarios using GCN as an example. Thereafter, a
seminar/workshop would be held at which any emerging
scenarios/options might be discussed. Following refinement, a
report would be produced which describes any alternative methods
which can be promoted to the UK Government(s) and the EU.
For further information contact at MIRO
Hard Hat Heart Rate sensor
PARTNERS are being sought to take part in workplace
environment trials of a new wearable sensor array for the
monitoring of heat strain – the term used to encompass a range
of physiological responses that the body uses to regulate its
temperature, such as increasing the heart rate. Please see the
attached proposal for further details.
