MINE-THE-GAP project to transform mining oversight with AI and satellite data

MINE-THE-GAP project to transform mining oversight with AI and satellite data
by Robert Schreiber
Berlin, Germany (SPX) Dec 06, 2024

As the demand for raw materials surges to support digitalization and decarbonization, the MINE-THE-GAP project has been launched to address a pressing gap in understanding the environmental and social impacts of mining. This initiative leverages satellite technology and artificial intelligence (AI) to create reliable and scalable mining indicators.

Currently, mining operations, even in regions like the European Union, are inadequately monitored. Critical data regarding mine locations, waste output, and extracted materials remain incomplete or outdated, impeding global efforts toward sustainable development.

Led by Victor Maus of the IIASA Advancing Systems Analysis Program, MINE-THE-GAP aims to bridge this gap with the support of a European Research Council Consolidator Grant. This funding, provided under the EU's Horizon Europe Programme, enables researchers to establish independent teams and advance transformative scientific ideas.

"The MINE-THE-GAP project was inspired by the surprising lack of detailed spatial information about mining operations worldwide," said Maus. "These gaps leave researchers with only a partial understanding of the industry's impacts, hindering their ability to assess decarbonization strategies and to inform policy and decision making."

Using advanced satellite imaging and AI-driven models, MINE-THE-GAP will produce mine-specific indicators on land use, waste production, and mineral extraction. These tools aim to deliver precise, relevant, and globally standardized data, addressing an urgent need for better mining transparency.

"Detailed mapping of mining activities is vital for understanding their environmental impacts," Maus emphasized. "This project aligns closely with global sustainability goals by providing methods and data needed to combat climate change, protect ecosystems and biodiversity, and enforce ethical sourcing standards."

The project's contributions will enhance compliance with European supply chain transparency laws and support the UN Sustainable Development Goals. As the mining sector experiences rapid growth, MINE-THE-GAP will play a critical role in monitoring its global expansion and assessing associated risks.

"Knowing where and how mining impacts occur helps us hold stakeholders accountable and promotes informed decision-making at all levels," Maus added.

Hosted by the Vienna University of Economics and Business, the project will engage researchers worldwide, including IIASA experts, to ensure a global impact.

The lack of documentation for over half of the world's mining areas highlights the importance of this project. MINE-THE-GAP is poised to fill this void by delivering the high-quality data essential for informed environmental and policy decisions.