MiReBooks Available

After much fine-tuning, the first edition of MiReBooks in printed form has been printed and is now available. These books will take mining education to a higher level by incorporating VR and AR elements into teaching!

PRO-SLO – PhD School on Social Licence to Operate

Europe needs more experts to master the complex issues of a Social License to Operate (#SLO) as currently many raw materials projects are severely delayed due to severe opposition from communities.

Coordinated by the RIC Leoben Education team, an alliance of experts on the topic of SLO from research, universities and industry will design and deliver a tailored PhD school, based around challenges provided by the industry, facilitated by innovative teaching/learning methods.
The second edition of the PhD school is underway, split into three phases:
1. Online Phase (Virtual Week: 9 to 13 February 2026)
2. Case Study Phase (23 February to 27 March 2026)
3. Onsite School at Hellas Gold S.A. (19 to 24 June 2026, Chalkidiki, Greece)

Further details under: https://www.proslo.eu/

Manuel Ortega

Manuel Ortega, MSc, joined RIC Leoben in January 2019, where he manages the MiReBooks project, “Mixed Reality Handbooks for Mining Education”.
After graduating in mining engineering from León Mining University, Spain, he worked in the oil and gas service industry for many years.
He opted for Leoben because he felt like it was time to return to his mining roots.

PRO-SLO – PhD School on Social Licence to Operate

Europe needs more experts to master the complex issues of a Social License to Operate (#SLO) as currently many raw materials projects are severely delayed due to severe opposition from communities.

Coordinated by the RIC Leoben Education team, an alliance of experts on the topic of SLO from research, universities and industry will design and deliver a tailored PhD school, based around challenges provided by the industry, facilitated by innovative teaching/learning methods.
The second edition of the PhD school is underway, split into three phases:
1. Online Phase (Virtual Week: 9 to 13 February 2026)
2. Case Study Phase (23 February to 27 March 2026)
3. Onsite School at Hellas Gold S.A. (19 to 24 June 2026, Chalkidiki, Greece)

Further details under: https://www.proslo.eu/

Applications of Pure Carbon – JTF Project

The project aims to produce hydrogen and synthesis gas as sustainable energy sources on the one hand, and high-quality carbon on the other, based on the pyrolysis of biomass and subsequent conversion of the pyrolysis gas in a metal bath reactor.
The carbon captured from the atmosphere by plants during photosynthesis is permanently captured as elemental solid carbon through the combined pyrolysis and thus no longer returns to the atmosphere.

Project content:

• Concepts for combining the production of high-quality biochar from agricultural residues and pyrolysis of the resulting gas in a liquid metal reactor to produce hydrogen or synthesis gas
• Construction of a pilot plant
• Use of solid carbon as a valuable product and thus permanent removal of CO2 from the atmosphere
• Innovative, value-adding approach as a contribution to BECCS technology (Bio Energy Carbon Capture and Storage) as a ‘negative emission technology’

Applications of high-purity carbon include:

• Carbon as biochar in agriculture (humus formation, fertiliser storage and increased water retention capacity in soils)
• Carbon in composting plants (reduction of climate-damaging emissions);
• Carbon for the production of electrodes for a variety of technical applications (e.g. batteries or metal extraction);
• Application as a construction material.

Partners for future work limited to basic research with the help of the requested funds are: voestalpine AG, Ministry of Agriculture, Schunk Carbon Technology, Marienhütte Stahl- und Walzwerks GmbH, Montanwerke Brixlegg, Industriepark Arnoldstein, RHI Magnesita, Primetals Austria AG, OMV, CEMTEC GmbH, etc.

Impact:
For the Upper Styria region, a positive impact is expected for the hydrogen-using industry, as well as an incentive for companies involved in the use of high-purity carbon in high-tech applications and agriculture to settle in the area. In addition, an innovative research and development facility will also greatly enhance the location of the Montanuniversität Leoben in Upper Styria and create extensive new opportunities in the field of hydrogen and carbon research.

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