In response to rising global demand for raw materials—essential for advancing digitalization and decarbonization—an innovative initiative named MINE-THE-GAP has been launched to enhance understanding of the environmental and social dimensions of mining operations. This project seeks to address significant deficiencies in the monitoring of mining activities by utilising advanced satellite technology and artificial intelligence (AI) to develop reliable, scalable indicators that will improve transparency in the mining sector.
MINE-THE-GAP is spearheaded by Victor Maus, a prominent figure in the IIASA Advancing Systems Analysis Program. The project is significantly supported by a European Research Council Consolidator Grant, part of the EU's Horizon Europe Programme. This funding allows research teams to be formed and fosters the advancement of transformative scientific ideas aimed at bridging the knowledge gap surrounding mining practices.
"The MINE-THE-GAP project was inspired by the surprising lack of detailed spatial information about mining operations worldwide," Maus stated. He noted that existing gaps in data leave researchers with an incomplete understanding of the mining industry's impacts, particularly when it comes to assessing decarbonization strategies and informing policy decisions.
Currently, even within the European Union, there are major deficiencies in the monitoring of mining activities, with critical information regarding mine locations, waste output, and extracted materials often either incomplete or outdated. The MINE-THE-GAP project aspires to rectify this by employing advanced satellite imaging and AI-driven models to generate specific indicators related to land use, waste production, and mineral extraction.
"Detailed mapping of mining activities is vital for understanding their environmental impacts," Maus emphasized, highlighting the project's alignment with global sustainability goals. By producing precise, relevant, and globally standardised data, MINE-THE-GAP is positioned to aid in combatting climate change, protecting ecosystems and biodiversity, as well as enforcing ethical sourcing standards.
This initiative will also facilitate compliance with the EU's supply chain transparency laws while supporting the broader aims of the UN Sustainable Development Goals. As the mining industry continues to grow, MINE-THE-GAP intends to monitor this expansion and evaluate the associated risks effectively.
Maus further articulated the significance of this research by stating, "Knowing where and how mining impacts occur helps us hold stakeholders accountable and promotes informed decision-making at all levels."
The project is hosted by the Vienna University of Economics and Business and will incorporate engagement with researchers from around the globe, including those from IIASA, to ensure a comprehensive impact on the future of mining oversight. The ongoing lack of documentation for over half of the world’s mining activities underscores the urgent necessity for MINE-THE-GAP, which aims to provide the high-quality data essential for informed environmental and policy decisions in the sector.
Source: Noah Wire Services