Copper, cobalt, nickel, rare earth elements, but also coking coal are on the EU’s 34-item list of critical raw materials, which are particularly necessary for the numerous transformations of the European and, not least, the economy here in this country. From the point of view of European producers, it is particularly worrying that many of the critical raw materials are produced in far-flung regions of the world such as South America, Australia and China. China in particular plays a dominant role, because the world economy is completely dependent on this country for …
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With my best regards // Mit freundlichem Glückauf
Dipl.-Ing. Andreas-Peter Sitte
Chief Editor Mining Report Glückauf, Essen
ISSUE 06/2024 // FOCUS OF THIS ISSUE:
Raw Materials for the Energy Transition
Solution Concepts for Mining and Geomechanical Challenges Involved in Safe Long-Term Closure of the Saale Shaft in the Teutschenthal Mine
Historical photograph of the Saale shaft. Source: SBN
he former Teutschenthal potash mine, with mine sections Teutschenthal, Angersdorf and Salzmünde, is currently operated as a backfilling mine by GTS Grube Teutschenthal Sicherungs GmbH & Co. KG (GTS). In accordance with the Ordinance on Underground Waste Stowage (VersatzV, 2002), the four shafts connected to the mine, as elements traversing geological barriers, must be sealed off for long-term safety at the end of the operating phase using state-of-the-art closure structures. Here it is necessary to prevent groundwater and surface water from penetrating the mine through the shafts, while at the same time preventing polluted solutions from escaping the mine and entering the biosphere. The Saale shaft is currently the first shaft at the mine site to be safeguarded for the long term. This article examines in detail the importance of long-term safeguarding, the methods used as well as the particular challenges during project implementation …
Authors: Dipl.-Ing. Dany Bodenstab, Geschäftsführer, Alexander Proske M.Sc., Bauleiter, Schachtbau Nordhausen GmbH (SBN), Nordhausen/Germany
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Bochum-Based Company ECOSOIL Is Securing the Double Shaft at the Former Vondern Hard Coal Mine – with an Experienced Team and the “Installation of a Cohesive Filling Column Section” Securing Variant
ECOSOIL is a member of the German Brownfield Association (DEBV) and has received the Brownfield24 Award multiple times for the best ecological and particularly sustainable construction project. Source: ECOSOIL
ECOSOIL Nord-West GmbH, Bochum/Germany, is carrying out a shaft renovation using a cohesive partial filling column, including dismantling and refilling of the “Vondern 1 and 2” double shaft system together with a ventilation duct on behalf of the steel division of thyssenkrupp. The plant belongs to the former Vondern mine (a hard coal mine from 1902 to 1932) and is located in a nature reserve between the A42 motorway and the course of the Emscher river. The procedure is coordinated in accordance with the district government’s guidelines for the maintenance of day shafts and the long-term securing of former shafts.
Author: Michael Breemann, Bauleiter Schachtkopfsicherung, ECOSOIL Nord-West GmbH, Bochum/Germany
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Science Communication in the Mining Sector: Insights from the “Forum Mining and Water” Foundation
Sankey diagram of the foundation’s communication formats (left) and target groups (right). Source: Mugova
his study describes the options of science communication based on experiences of the German foundation “Forum Mining and Water”. After the cessation of German hard coal mining, the foundation aims to address the topic of mine water and mine flooding. Since its establishment in 2017, various communication formats have been employed by the foundation to disseminate its research findings and to address different target groups. All communication measures were aimed to communicate technological, ecological and social aspects of mine flooding in easily understandable formats and to promote dialogue between science, politics, business and society. As can be seen by the results, the foundation reached many target groups with the communication formats applied. Furthermore, it demonstrated the importance of …
Authors: Elke Mugova M. Sc., Lehrstuhl Hydrogeologie/Hydrochemie, Technische Universität Bergakademie Freiberg (TUBAF), Freiberg, Prof. Dr. habil. Christian Wolkersdorfer, Private Bag X680, South African Research Chair for Acid Mine Drainage Treatment, Tshwane University of Technology (TUT), Pretoria/South Africa
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Securing Raw Materials for the Transformation
Aspects of the transformations. Source: VRB
gainst the backdrop of diverse and overlapping transformations in Germany, such as the energy transition, electromobility, digitalization, climate change and the green transformation as a whole, secure access to high-tech raw materials is of central importance. It is also important to maintain the innovative strength and competitiveness of German industry and to upgrade the infrastructure for the future. In the coming decades, this will require the conversion of infrastructure in step with the expansion of energy generation capacities, the expansion of power lines and grids, charging infrastructure, storage, fiber optic and hydrogen networks. By 2045, primary energy and electricity will be generated almost entirely from renewable sources and greenhouse gas neutrality will be achieved. By then, coal and gas-fired power stations will have been largely replaced by wind and solar power …
Author: Dr.-Ing. Martin Wedig, Geschäftsführer, Vereinigung Rohstoffe und Bergbau e.V. (VRB), Berlin/Germany
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Raw Materials Agreement Germany – Mongolia: Challenges in Supplying the Federal Republic of Germany with Critical Raw Materials
Intermodal connection with Germany. Source: Port Hamburg (2023): www.hafen-hamburg.de/en/special/chinaspecial/
ongolia has occupied a key position in the global mining sector. The country is one of the ten most resource-rich countries in the world. In the south of the country, which has a very sparsely populated population of around 3.4 million, in the Gobi Desert, there are gigantic deposits of copper, silver, gold, coal, fluorspar and other raw materials that are among the largest in the world. Mongolia has attracted international attention, particularly because of its integral role in the extraction of critical raw materials. Mongolia’s geology, which is characterized by diverse mineral-rich strata from the Precambrian to the Quaternary, forms the basis for the country’s mining potential. Above all, the country has an abundance of rare earth elements (REEs), which are essential for cutting-edge technologies and the energy transition. This report analyses the geological formations that underlie Mongolia’s resource wealth …
Author: Prof. Dr.-Ing. Thomas Hollenberg, Dr. Hollenberg Consulting GmbH (DHC), Oberhausen/Germany
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Terechrecht – a Well-known Mauritanian Deposit for Rare Earths Is Rediscovered
Perspective sketch indicating drillhole locations and orientations in domain Guelb Zellagua; 50 m coordinate grid (blue); domain boundaries (black); colour coded TREO grades as per legend top right; upper domain boundary draped onto calculated topography (transparent). Source: Preliminary Techno-Economical Evaluation of a SE Deposit in Mauritania, Dorfner ANZAPLAN, Hirschau, 25.09.2015.
auritania is rich in raw materials. Gold, iron ore or copper are mined on an industrial, modern scale. Oil and natural gas are also produced. Artisan mining takes place on gold, rock salt or gypsum. In addition to other raw materials, the Mauritanian part of the phosphate deposit already used in Senegal or the Terechrecht rare earth deposit southeast of Akjoujt are being explored. Mauritania is the second largest producer of raw materials in Africa. The article is based on the author’s presentation at the GDMB seminar “Rare Earth 2024” from 20th to 21st March 2024 in Clausthal-Zellerfeld/Germany. It is published in memoriam Lemrabott Mohamed El Moctar, initiator and investor, Nouakchott, died in 2022.
Author: Dipl.-Ing. Thomas Neu, pro G.E.O. Ingenieurgesellschaft mbH, Saarbrücken/Germany
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Copper for the Energy Transition
Growing demand for copper due to the increasing electrification of all sectors. Source: Schipper, B. W.; Lin, H.-C.; Meloni, M. A.; Wansleeben, K.; Heijungs, R.; van der Voet, E. (2018): Estimating global copper demand until 2100 with regression and stock dynamics. In: Resources, Conservation and Recycling, Vol. 132, May 2018, pp 28 – 36.
he world’s energy supply is changing – from the direct use of fossil fuels to generate electricity, to so-called renewable energies. Furthermore, the expansion of e-mobility and increased demand for information technology require additional grid and generation capacities. Copper, which is essential for all power supply systems and grids, plays a central role. The rapidly increasing demand for copper is already leading to sharp price increases and requires a significant expansion of copper ore extraction. The extraction of copper ore from massive sulfide deposits in the deep sea can make a profound contribution to secure supply. The necessary technology is currently being developed. A long-term strategy up to 2035 for the development of these resources – in the German license area in the Indian Ocean …
Authors: Dr. Matthias Semel, Bauer Maschinen GmbH, Pfaffenhofen/Germany, Dipl.-Ing. Leonard Weixler, SMS GmbH und Bauer Maschinen GmbH, Schrobenhausen/Germany, Prof. Dr. Martin Sobczyk, TU Bergakademie Freiberg, Freiberg/Germany
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IEA Recommendations for “Just Transitions” in the Coal Sector
Employees in the energy sector worldwide in 2022 and 2030 (IEA scenario). Source: IEA 2024
n spring 2024, the International Energy Agency (IEA) presented a new special report on the international coal sector. This is addressed to the global community. However, the IEA’s well-founded recommendations also allow energy policy conclusions to be drawn for the phase-out of coal-fired power generation that has been decided on, planned and launched in Germany. This is by no means without alternative. The IEA is also looking at how to accelerate the decommissioning of coal-fired power plants and how to deal with this appropriately. However, these recommendations are by no means aimed at a total coal phase-out, but primarily at accelerating the reduction of “unabated coal”, i. e. coal use without measures to reduce emissions. At the same time, pragmatic strategies for climate-friendly coal-fired power generation are being discussed. This would be possible in Germany as well as in many other countries. At the same time, the IEA emphasises …
Author: Prof. Dr. rer. oec. Kai van de Loo, Forschungszentrum Nachbergbau (FZN), Technische Hochschule Georg Agricola (THGA), Bochum/Germany
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Remining of Mine Water and Tailings – an Initial Assessment
Schematic drawing of the precipitation reactor for weakly mineralised mine water (type 1) and (right) the prototype system ready for use. Source: FZN
he IAW3
3 research project “Innovative processing technologies and their potential for the recovery of recyclable materials from mine water, precipitates and tailings from the Ruhr, Saar and Ibbenbüren areas with special focus on critical metal resources”, which the Research Center of Post-Mining (FZN) at the TH Georg Agricola University (THGA), Bochum/Germany, launched in 2022, has been engaged in investigating the possibilities for recovering critical and valuable raw materials from mine water and its associated precipitates. This required the development and construction of precipitation reactors with volume capacities ranging from 500 to 1,000 l that use precipitation reactions and co-precipitation processes to recover iron and other metals …
Authors: Dr. rer. nat. Bastian Reker, wissenschaftlicher Mitarbeiter, Dr.-Ing. Sebastian Westermann, Leiter Forschungsschwerpunkt „Ewigkeitsaufgaben und Grubenwassermanagement“, Prof. Dr.-Ing. Peter Goerke-Mallet, Senior Consultant, Prof. Dr. rer. nat. Christian Melchers, Vizepräsident, Forschungszentrum Nachbergbau (FZN), Technische Hochschule Georg Agricola (THGA), Bochum/Germany
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Tailings – Environmental Risks or Future Raw Material Resources?
A: Location of the Huancavelica region with the former Caudalosa mine in Peru (modified after (Mapas del Mundo. Online available at https://www.mapas-del-mundo.net). B: Broken tailings dam after the event (modified after Cacciuttolo, C.; Cano, D. (2022): Environmental impact assessment of mine tailings spill considering metallurgical processes of gold and copper mining: case studies in the Andean countries of Chile and Peru. In: Water (14), 3057.). C: Water drainage system of the Escalera river down to the Mantaro river (modified after Google Earth).
odern society relies on mining and quarrying to secure a steady supply of mineral resources supporting technological advancements and elevated living standards. Products of mining are crucial for various technologies, while waste, in the form of tailings, poses considerable environmental risks. This review explores the dual nature of mine tailings, examining both their adverse environmental impacts and their potential for resource recovery. Case studies from Peru and Chile illustrate the environmental consequences of tailing spills and the subsequent impacts on ecosystems …
Authors: Abiel Menghisteab Ghebreigziabiher M.Sc., Dr. rer. nat. Stephanie Lohmeier, Institut für Bergbau, Technische Universität Clausthal, Clausthal-Zellerfeld/Germany
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The IMMERSE Project: Virtual Excursions on Critical Raw Materials for the Clean Energy Transition
3D Model of the Gánt Bauxite Mine created using drone photography. Source: RWTH
ritical raw materials (CRMs) play a pivotal role in the transition to clean energy and the achievement of the European Green Deal, contributing significantly to the realization of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). A sustainable supply of CRMs is fundamental for all industrial sectors and will determine the destiny of Europe. Strengthening local production and sustainable management of these resources are crucial to reduce dependence on imports and ensure a secure and resilient supply chain. As the focus on sustainable resource practices grows …
Authors: Shima Hajinia Leilabadi M. Sc. and Prof. Dr. Bernd G. Lottermoser, Institute of Mineral Resources Engineering (MRE), RWTH Aachen University, Aachen/Germany, Dr. Michael Roach, Centre for Ore Deposit and Earth Sciences (CODES), University of Tasmania, Hobart/Australia, Ass. Prof. Dr. Emmanouil A. Varouchakis and Evangelos Machairas M.Sc., School of Mineral Resources Engineering (MRE), Technical University of Crete, Chania/Greece, Prof. Dr. Felipe González Barrionuevo, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Manuel Toscano Macias and Prof. Dr. José Miguel Nieto, Department of Earth Sciences, University of Huelva, Huelva/Spain
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