The European Union is currently addressing challenges related to the supply of essential raw materials that are used for clean technologies (e.g. lithium for EV batteries, copper for electrification) and everyday life (e.g. metals for iPhones). This includes policy initiatives such as the raw materials list and the Critical Raw Materials Act (European Commission, 2019) which sets 10% of the EU's annual needs for extraction as a benchmark to be reached by 2030. Reaching this target will require an increase in mining efficiency to make currently unprofitable mine deposits economically viable. Mining is responsible for around 8% of the global carbon footprint with a very large part of carbon footprint due to mining activities, hence innovations that reduce the amount of waste rock to be excavated in turn lead to substantial reductions of the overall mine carbon footprint. Topological slope optimisation solves the problem by introducing two paradigm shifts: 1. Overall steeper, hence more efficient, pit walls without compromising safety. 2. Automated pit wall design. The proposed solution focuses on a highly innovative approach for open-pit mines: excavating pit wall slopes according to their topological optimal shape instead of the established current practice of designing pit walls of constant inclination within each rock layer. The methodology developed by Prof. Utili (UNEW) finds the optimal non-planar slope geometry for a specified target Factor of Safety (FoS), which is significantly steeper than any planar one (see Figure 1). Topological slope optimisation has the potential to change the open pit mining industry: if this methodology was adopted by 50% of >5,000 mines worldwide and considering the average financial and environmental gains obtained from five mine case studies published in peer-reviewed mining journals leads to the following financial estimates: €6.5B/year of direct savings from less rock volume excavated and 200M tonnes/year of CO2eq emi

Information on atmospheric particles(PM) and related hazards is based on monitoring data. The main metric used is PM mass. This does not sufficiently account for physical, chemical and biological properties of PM that determine toxicity and bioavailability. Such properties can only be assessed by advanced methods. These are being developed in several European activities, including research infrastructures ACTRIS and RI-URBANS. WeBaSOOP will reinforce in Serbia coordinator (VINCA) and partners institution (IRMB,PHIB) research hub by knowledge and skills related to PM monitoring and assessment, with the aim of association with the infrastructures. We will introduce innovative observing metrics and methods and address networking gaps.The internationally leading partners (NILU,CSIC,UNG,DEAKIN)have each central roles in the infrastructures and extensive knowledge of and experience with the European research system. They will gain regional understanding, new data and networks. WeBaSOOP research and associated training will focus on particle size distribution and composition including novel organic source tracers and black carbon, by online and offline monitoring and assessment methods.We will introduce oxidative potential as proxy for health effects. We will generate new data and knowledge and close the information gap on PM in Western Balkans.We will use the new generated data for novel source apportionment. This will trigger new research opportunities. WeBaSOOP knowledge and data will be shared with stakeholders responsible for pollution mitigation or prevention and for compliance with European acquis. Further, we will enhance generic research-administrative skills of partners by dedicated training. We will enable the participating institutions to become partners in discussions of the R&I systems, and to better liaise with the NCPs who will be asked to contribute to the trainings and will be our dialogue partners when looking for future opportunities for researh.

The INTMET approach represents a unique technological breakthrough to overcome the limitations related to difficult low grade and complex ores to achieve high efficient recovery of valuable metals (Cu, Zn, Pb, Ag) and CRM (Co, In, Sb). Main objective of INTMET is applying on-site mine-to-metal hydroprocessing of the produced concentrates enhancing substantially raw materials efficiency thanks to increase Cu+Zn+Pb recovery over 60% vs. existing selective flotation. 3 innovative hydrometallurgical processes (atmospheric, pressure and bioleaching), and novel more effective metals extraction techniques (e.g. Cu/Zn-SX-EW, chloride media, MSA, etc) will be developed and tested at relevant environment aiming to maximise metal recovery yield and minimising energy consumption and environmental footprint. Additionally secondary materials like tailings and metallurgical wastes will be tested as well for metals recovery and sulphur valorisation. The technical, environmental and economic feasibility of the entire approaches will be evaluated to ensure a real business solution of the integrated INTMET process. INTMET will be economically viable thanks to diversification of products (Cu, Zn, Pb), high-profitable solution (producing commodities not concentrates), with lower operation and environmental costs (on-site hydroprocessing will avoid transport to smelters) and allowing mine-life extension developing a new business-model concept based on high efficient recovery of complex ores that will ensure EU mining industry competitiveness and employment. INTMET is fully aligned with EIP-RM validated in the PolymetOre Commitment where most of INTMET partners take part on and the market up-take solutions are guaranteed by an exploitation from industrially-driven consortia composed by 3 Mines, 2 SMEs (AGQ -waste&water tech provider; MINPOL -policy & exploitation expert), 2 tech providers (OUTOTEC and TR) and 5 complementary RTD´s with expertise in leaching and recovery metals processing

The fact is that the lithium deposits within the EU are associated with different mineralizations in solid host rocks, except from the lithium brines of South America and Australia. These mineralizations require a special approach when processing and purifying happen up to battery grade lithium carbonate. Li4Life proposal creates of an efficient technology for the extraction of lithium from poor or complex ores of underutilised deposits, as well as post-mining tailings, as the basis for the development of future clean energy. Reference objects is potentially viable lithium projects have been identified in Europe from Finland in the North, through Germany, Austria and Czech Republic in Central Europe, to Spain and Portugal in the South-West. To cover the needs of the EU Battery Industry, Li4Life is aim to contribute an ambitious objective to increase the EU domestic supply of local raw materials by at least 5% to upcoming 2030. This is possible by creating an innovative value chain for domestic lithium raw materials. Li4Life's pathway to this ambition - novel processing methods, and purification up to battery-grade lithium carbonate to overcome existing barriers, namely the lack of a sustainable social licence to operate (SLO) and compliance with strict EU environmental laws.

Europe must reduce its dependence on raw materials (RM). Over 100,000 MWFs hold vast potential for critical and non-critical RM, while addressing environmental concerns. SCIMIN-CRM aims to enhance access to primary and secondary RMs in Europe by leveraging MWFs' untapped potential. This involves developing a streamlined ‘fast-path’ process and a collaborative digital platform for smart assessment, alongside technology development for RM valorisation in various MWF types across Spain, Sweden, Austria, and Bosnia and Herzegovina. A roadmap will prioritize extraction of valuable CRM like fluorspar, baryte, REEs, and bauxite/aluminium, among others non-critical but highly valuable materials (e.g. copper, aggregates). SCIMIN-CRM will transform discarded materials into valuable resources, increasing valorisation from near 0% to 5% and reducing assessment time by -83%. It will deliver two mobile crushing technologies, a collaborative digital platform, and four cutting-edge processing methodologies. By 2030, the new process aims to become the standard for sustainable MWF assessment aligned with the CRM Act. The project will promote market adoption of sustainable solutions, offer capacity-building programs, enhance social acceptance, and foster industry collaboration. Ultimately, SCIMIN-CRM seeks to boost EU's access to RMs, improve economic performance, enhance recovery rates, and ensure responsible supply, contributing to long-term sustainability and competitiveness. The consortium involves 21 participants from 10 countries spanning the MWF value chain.