We are very glad that Robert Obenaus-Emler was officially appointed Head of the Resources Innovation Center by the Rectorate of the Montanuniversität Leoben on 14 March 2024.
At the same time, the RIC Leoben was confirmed as one of the seven “Clusters of Excellence” at the research centre of the University.
The DIM ESEE 2023 Innovation workshop 18 – 20 October 2023 was again held in Dubrovnik/Croatia.
We enjoyed high-quality lectures from multiple experts in the field of raw materials, great networking and innovative ideas for the future in mining.
This year, the scientific program was organised by the RIC Leoben team, including topics related to digitalization and data processing, underground and surface mineral extraction, and robotics in mining. Additionally, industry experts from Austin Powder, Dok-Ing, Epiroc, and Sandvik provided fascinating insights into the future of mineral extraction.
More details: https://dim-esee.eu/
Anja Vujaković joined RIC Leoben in September 2021 as Education Project Manager. She studied at the Diplomatic Academy of Vienna and the Vienna University of Technology and will soon obtain her title as MSc in Environmental Technology and International Affairs. Anja has collected over 5 years of working experience in the field of international communication and sustainable development. She worked in the Environment Department of the United Nations Industrial Development Organization where she was tasked with linking the ‘Minamata Convention on Mercury’ to the Sustainable Development Goals and Circular Economy. Before joining the Education Team at RIC Leoben, she spent one year at the United Nations International Atomic Energy Agency where she was responsible for the drafting of daily reports to the Director General on a variety of topics from the field of nuclear science and security.
SECURE AND SUSTAINABLE SUPPLY OF RAW MATERIALS FOR EU INDUSTRY
Duration: 01/2023 – 06/2025
S34I will research and innovate new data-driven methods to analyse Earth Observation (EO) data, supporting systematic mineral exploration and continuous monitoring of extraction, closure and post-closure activities with the aim to increase European knowledge and autonomy on raw materials resources. S34I uses EO not only for the management of technical and environmental issues for a green transition but also to support mining’s social acceptance (SLO) and better legislation.
Innovative EO-based products/services will provide new or more accurate RM mineral mapping/exploration, environmental and mine monitoring and mine safety, at different phases of the mine life cycle.
S34I will exploit Copernicus and other satellite sensors (optical and radar), while other platforms as airborne, low-altitude platforms, ground-based, in-situ techniques/methods, and fieldwork will serve either for calibration, validation or to complement Copernicus data especially at the very high scale spatial or spectral resolution.
S34I will provide 6 new open high added value datasets, 14 new methods to analyse EO data using Artificial Intelligence being utilized at different phases of the mining life cycle, 3 new prototyped EO based services for mining stakeholders, 1 research and innovation agenda on EO for mining, a set of recommendations for better policy, and guidelines for EO uptake by the mining industry. S34I results will be validated at six different locations in different phases of the mining life-cycle: (i) land exploration in Spain; (ii) coastal exploration at the Iberian Peninsula Atlantic coast; iii) extraction phase in Austria and; iv) closure/post-closure phase in Finland and Germany.
S34I is an EU wide interdisciplinary and complementary team embracing partners from 13 countries and with a 50/50 balance between industrial and research profiles. S34I mining stakeholders will lead the path towards mining de-carbonization while creating social and economic impact through EO uptake.
Professional Development for Engineers of Tomorrow
Duration: 06/2021 – 10/2023
The RIC Education Team has been awarded for the first time in 2021 a funding proposal for the “Programmatic Partnership between Kosovan and Austrian Institutions” in the framework of HERAS+ – Higher Education, Research and Applied Science plus”. The main objective of the project “Professional development for engineers of tomorrow -PDET” is to improve the employability and entrepreneurship of graduates of the University of Mitrovica “Isa Boletini”. Kosovar youth are currently facing challenges in finding a job, while companies complain that graduates do not have the necessary skills to succeed in a particular industry. The gap between academic training at universities and the labor market is obvious and undeniable. The current project would address this problem through the establishment and functionalization of the UMIB Center for Entrepreneurship and Business Creation, and provide annual training programs that target two key issues facing college graduates. The first is to provide graduates with the soft skills required in the work environment and the second is to provide training in entrepreneurial skills.
The project was launched in Mitrovica in September 2022. In the first step of the work, a labor market analysis will be carried out together with the UMIB team in order to match the content of the workshops and trainings, which will be created based on these results, with the needs of the industry.