Underwater Robots Used to Explore Abandoned Mine Sites
VAMOS (Viable Alternative Mine Operating System) is a program made up of nine EU countries to access abandoned mine sites using underwater robots. The project is an attempt to deal with depleted mineral deposits in Europe that are the result of centuries of active mining operations. It is estimated that there is about €100 billion worth of unexploited mineral resources located at depths of 500-100 meters in Europe. This could help change the fact that only 3% of the world's ore production takes place in the EU while these countries consume 25-30% of global metal production.
¡VAMOS!, which means or “Let’s go!” in Spanish, wants to get things going when it comes to European mining potential. Underwater mining robots will be used to access abandoned, flooded, and inland mine sites. The project was established in 2015 as part of Horizon 2020. Now unmanned mining vehicles are able to explore sites as part of an intricate project that involves the use of recovery vehicles to transport material out of the water using riser pipes.
There are 30,000 flooded mine sites across Europe, which is why this project has so much potential. The EU realizes how important it is to develop solutions that are both efficient and in line with the ecological concerns of the population.
¡VAMOS! is able to take otherwise unused flooded mines and get them working again in a way that even manages to remove the toxic wastewater that is associated with mining. What is clear is that new technology is able to accomplish a lot in the world of mining when it is actively applied.
Innovative Minerals is a gold mining company that is dedicated to introducing new technologies that are required for success in the modern world. Its blockchain project is designed to keep track of exploration and extraction processes and provide transparency to investors. At the same time, Innovative Minerals offers investors a new cryptocurrency that is backed by the gold that it mines. To find out more about this project, go to www.innovative-minerals.io.
Sources: ¡VAMOS!, Mining Technology, MINE Magazine, New Scientist