THE PROJECT
DEXPLORE seeks to address Europe’s reliance on critical and strategic materials (CRM and SRM) from third countries by delivering a comprehensive suite of mineral exploration technologies aiming to improve Europe’s understanding of its potential to host deep CRM and SRM deposits —key resources essential for the economy decarbonization.
Focusing on essential materials – Fluorite (Fluorspar – CRM), Copper (SRM), Nickel (SRM), Manganese (SRM and CRM), Natural Graphite (CRM) as well as Zinc (Zn), Lead (Pb), and Molybdenum (Mo) – within extensive geological terrains, such as metamorphic and crystalline rocks, DEXPLORE introduces a holistic innovation package beginning at the surface by integrating cutting-edge geochemical and optical techniques, UAV-assisted in-field mineral detection, and advanced Earth Observation methods, while extending into the subsurface with novel deep-land geophysical techniques capable of exploring depths of at least 600 meters.
GIS/XR platform Visualization and Exploitation
DEXPLORE package is completed with an advanced extended reality (XR) visualization platform able to integrate geological, remote sensing, and geophysical data to improve access to critical information on Europe’s raw material potential. By doing so, it accelerates decision-making processes among technical experts while raising public awareness of the importance of critical raw materials (CRMs) in driving the green transition.
GENERAL PUBLIC
- Education about the need of a secure and sustainable CRM supply.
- Socialization of exploration advancements and promising geological terrains.
STAKEHOLDERS
- Exploitations of results.
- Next steps of development.
- Clustering activities.
TECHNICIANS
- Technical disussions about next steps for exploitation and exploitation.
- Desision-making process.
Additionally, DEXPLORE aims to strengthen international cooperation by fostering collaboration with strategic partner countries and aligning with other EU initiatives. This includes joint activities and the sharing of results to maximize impact.
AMBITION
Enhance the knowledge and discovery of deep-seated deposits and increase the sustainable, low-risk domestic sourcing of CRMs and SRMs, which are essential for decarbonizing the European and global economy.
At the same time, the project focuses on engaging the general public and specific stakeholders (e.g., communities near the pilot areas, countries involved in strategic CRM partnerships, geological services, and the mining industry) throughout its progress. This approach aims to increase the acceptability of mining projects, starting from the exploration process, and to ensure the replicability and scalability of DEXPLORE’s results.
OBJETIVES
Develop new and updated ore models for targeted CRM and SRM for well extended geological domains across Europe: Fluorite (Fluorspar – CRM), Copper (SRM), Nickel (SRM), Manganese (SRM and CRM), Natural Graphite (CRM) as well as Zinc (Zn), Lead (Pb), and Molybdenum (Mo)
Improve exploration technologies allowing highly efficient and sustainable exploration for reaching at least 600 m depth, including: UAV and remote mineral exploration and identification; hyperspectral analysis using Earth Observation (EO) data (Copernicus); geophysics exploration tools for deep land deposits (UAV and field-based methods.
Enhancing access to information on the EU’s potential for primary and CRM by providing a visualization platform that integrates various data sources (geological data, remote sensing, geophysical data, etc.). Gamification within this platform will help raise public awareness about the importance of CRM and their domestic supply for a successful green transition.
Boost the cooperation between Europe and the countries involved in the strategic partnerships for a resilient and sustainable supply of raw materials, as well as with other EU initiatives and relevant projects.
WORKPLAN
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DEXPLORE is structured in 6 technical and scientific WPs (WP2 to WP7) supported by 2 transversal WPs (WP1 and WP8)
Project Management (ISMC).
General Management and coordination to a) meet project objectives, b) control costs expenditure within authorized budgets for each period by Task/WP, c) manage risks, d) manage legal and contractual aspects and both internal and external communication to ensure optimal information flow among key stakeholders.
Mineral systems approach (TalTech).
Development of new mineral and ore models adapted to the target minerals and geological formations by identifying anomalies, using advanced laboratory methods, and data analytics to examine large, multi-element datasets. It includes the comparison between the Estonian Precambrian basement with the Swedish and Finnish basements with the aim of increasing the knowledge about the occurrence of deep CRM/SRM in crystalline rocks, well extended in Europe
Remote Sensing for surface exploration (ICCS).
Combination of spectroscopy data with satellite hyperspectral and multispectral remote sensing data aims to upscale surface mineral exploration mapping to a broader extent. This will be done through the establishment of an advanced spectral analysis for mapping and the development of a novel prototype based on Raman and Laser Induced Breakdown spectroscopy towards the remote detection of the targeted minerals.
Geophysical techniques for deep land exploration (TerraDat).
Innovative primary and secondary deep-land mineral exploration techniques aimed at delivering accurate results for depths of up to 600 m (with potential to reach depths of 1,500 m) while remaining cost-efficient. Two calibration pilots at actual mining sites (ATALAYA, MINERSA) will enable the verification of the set KPIs for UAV gravity and passive seismic methodologies before proceeding to the final validation.
Visualization and interaction platform (CORE).
Development of an advanced visualization and interaction platform that, through an intuitive and interactive user interface and 3D & XR visualization capabilities, enables the efficient integration and management of large-scale, diverse datasets. It ensures real-time data processing while making geological and scientific datasets accessible to the general public.
Final in-field technology validation (EGT).
Validation of the different technological approaches through a final validation pilot across the Estonian Precambrian crystalline and metamorphic basement. This WP includes the validation of the GIS/XR visualization and interaction platform.
LCA & Environmental Assessment (MNLT).
Life Cycle Inventory (LCI) of the different technologies and their parameters to arrive at both relevant and aligned scenarios for the upscaled technology for LCA-LCC-SLCA, and to provisional suggestions on improvement of the environmental performance.
Dissemination, Exploitation, Communication and Clustering (ISMC).
Communication and dissemination plan and activities targeting the quadruple helix players. Further, it will develop a comprehensive exploitation strategy, and attract stakeholders to activate synergies, ensure multi-level local to international outreach.
