The political decisions that have been taken to transform Germany’s energy production system envisage a departure from fossil resources and the accelerated application of renewable energies and e-mobility. This not only involves the new and recognised concepts for electricity generation and transmission but also includes energy storage and associated issues relating to the sourcing of the minerals that will be required. Take the rare-earth elements, cobalt, magnesium, lithium, copper and other materials, for example: Last year more than 90 % of the metal resources we use in Germany were imported from abroad …
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With my best regards // Mit freundlichem Glückauf
Dipl.-Ing. Andreas-Peter Sitte
Chief Editor Mining Report Glückauf, Essen
ISSUE 02/2023 // FOCUS OF THIS ISSUE:
INTERNATIONAL MINING PROJECTS
Historic Mining Infrastructure as an Opportunity for Regional Water- and Energy Supply: The Water Reservoir Harz 2050 Project
Overview of the aspects of WSH 2050 as a holistic model of the water management region of the Harz. Source: TUC
igh precipitation, dams and waterworks make the Harz Mountains a large freshwater supplier. But, challenges arise based on climate change and extreme weather events. Old mine working can support water management if integrated into the system. Successful planning and integration need a holistic understanding of the regional water cycle, the current situation of the mine workings and the interaction. The development of a hydro-analytical water management tool establishes a link to analyse excavation utilisation enabling …
Authors: Mareike Bothe-Fiekert M. Sc., Angela Binder M. Sc., Univ.-Prof. Dr.-Ing. Oliver Langefeld, Institut für Bergbau, Technische Universität Clausthal (TUC), Clausthal-Zellerfeld/Germany
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Digital Twin – Integrated Geomonitoring
Methods used for geotechnical and environmental monitoring. Source: https://doi.org/10.1127/zdgg/2022/0335
ne of the main challenges facing us today is the environment and how to protect it. Mining activities over the years have had an enormous impact on the three environmental elements water, soil and air. Ground movements in mining areas can be observed both during the mineral winning phase and after this has ended. This phenomenon may affect the water balance of a region as a rise in the groundwater level can lead to “water stress” in plants, which in turn can manifest itself in reduced vitality …
Authors: Marcin Pawlik M. Sc., Forschungszentrum Nachbergbau (FZN), Technische Hochschule Georg Agricola (THGA), Bochum/Germany, und Technische Universität (TU) Bergakademie Freiberg, Freiberg/Germany, Prof. Dr. rer. nat. Tobias Rudolph, Dr. rer. nat. Bodo Bernsdorf, Prof. Dr.-Ing. Peter Goerke-Mallet und Prof. Dr.-Ing. Michael Hegemann Forschungszentrum Nachbergbau (FZN), Technische Hochschule Georg Agricola (THGA), Bochum/Germany, Maik Gellendin, Geologischer Dienst Nordrhein-Westfalen – Landesbetrieb, Krefeld/Germany
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Restructuring of the Coal Industry in Ukraine
The structure associated with the liquidation of the mine. Source: Authors
kraine ranks 7th place in the world in terms of coal reserves. On the territory of Ukraine there are three coal basins: Donetsk, Lviv-Volyn and Dnipro, the largest of which is the Donetsk basin, where 85 % of Ukraine’s coal resources are concentrated. Since the mid of the 1990s the coal industry of Ukraine is being restructured, the purpose of which was to abandon state subsidies for unprofitable mines, with their subsequent closure and the privatization of profitable or potentially profitable mines. Despite the fact that Russia’s aggression against Ukraine has made its own adjustments to the work of coal enterprises …
Authors: Aleksey Pyrikov, Ph.D., Reformprogramm für Kommunalverwaltung und Dezentralisierung zur Wiederherstellung und Entwicklung des Friedens, Kiew/Ukraine, Viktor Yermakow M.Sc., Staatliche Ökologische Akademie, Kiew/Ukraine, Natalia Lubenska M.Sc., und Julia Tiganj, M.A., Forschungszentrum Nachbergbau (FZN), Technische Hochschule Georg Agricola (THGA), Bochum/Germany
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Diversification and Sustainability − Criteria for Success in Times of Tense Raw Materials Markets
Fig. 3. The Africa Business Network of the Federal Ministry of Economics and Climate Protection. // Bild 3. Das Wirtschaftsnetzwerk Afrika des Bundesministeriums für Wirtschaft und Klimaschutz. Source/Quelle: Wirtschaftsnetzwerk Afrika
are earths, cobalt, magnesium, lithium: Over 90 % of the metallic raw materials used in Germany were imported last year. A significant part of these imports originated from countries with difficult political situations or monopolies in the exploitation and processing of raw materials. These dependencies have gained even more geopolitical importance against the background of the Russian aggressive war against Ukraine. Given the expected growing demand for critical raw materials …
Author: Clara Kahn M. A., Geschäftsstelle Wirtschaftsnetzwerk Afrika, Berlin/Germany
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Securing the Battery Mineral Supply Chain: A Tanzanian, US American, German Collaborative Model
Pula’s jumbo flakes. Photo: Pula
s global powers work to secure mineral supply chains for high-capacity battery manufacturing, collaboration with Africa is more important than ever. Germany’s participation in the Minerals Security Partnership (MSP), an alliance of twelve nations and the EU, signals that winning the race to secure battery minerals requires global collaboration. The MSP engages African partners, including the stable, democratic, resource-rich and under explored East African nation of Tanzania …
Authors: Ambassador Charles Stith, Dr. Mimi Stith, Yusuph Karim Mmbaga B.Sc., Dr. Kenneth Jennings, The Pula Group, Dar es Salaam/Tanzania, Breton Scott M. Sc., Bowline Professional Services (Pty) Ltd, Johannesburg/South Africa
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Innovation Networks – A New Market Access to the Mining Sector in Peru
The Cerro Verde copper mine in Peru contains one of the largest copper reserves in the world. Photo: SAMMI – Cluster Minero Andino
eru is considered one of the ten richest countries in resources in the world and currently occupies an important place in the production ranking. The country is home to numerous mining companies that are increasingly focused on the innovation of technologies and processes, which has improved the competitiveness of the industry. The objectives in Peruvian mining in this development are to increase efficiency in production, in the use of energy and other resources, as well as to increase occupational safety, reduce costs and prevent accidents. To ensure the long-term competitiveness …
Author: Dr.-Ing. Jan Patrick Häntsche, Deputy Managing Director, German-Peruvian Chamber of Commerce (AHK Peru), Lima/Peru
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Exploration Concept and Implementation of a Salar with Lithium Brine in South America
Example for exploration well design with additional connecting geophysical exploration program. Source: K-UTEC
alars and salt lakes occur in South America and other arid areas of the World and contain large quantities of lithium brine. The concentration of brine varies across the salars. A good knowledge of the internal structure of the salars is needed to optimize the exploitation and pumping plan. This information is also needed to ensure that brine production is done in an ecologically sustainable way.
Authors: EurGeol. Thomas Schicht, EurGeol. Anke Schindler, EurGeol. Anne Allendorf-Schicht, K-UTEC AG Salt Technologies, Sondershausen/Germany
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The Introduction of Battery-Electric Mining Equipment – Opportunities and Risks
Top risks for the mining industry. Source: KPMG (2022): Global Mining Outlook 2022
he requirements for the realization of greenfield projects have changed due to the aspiration of society, but also of potential investors, for sustainable raw material extraction. Through emission-free mining technology, the expectations of the industry can be met more and more. In the future, the success and support of greenfield projects will increasingly depend on what sustainability goals are set and how conscientiously work is done to achieve them. Early and close cooperation between the operator and the machine manufacturer will be a decisive prerequisite for the success of a project …
Author: Dipl.-Ing. André Jakobs, Business Development and Account Director Northern Europe, Sandvik Mining and Rock Technology, Essen/Germany
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LiquidEarth: At the Desk and yet on Site
Provided an internet connection, users have access to all data anywhere, also in the field and underground. Photo: Terranigma
iquidEarth is a cloud-based software solution for geological exploration projects and mining that bridges the gap between field and office work. It saves geological data to the cloud, visualizes it, and enables all parties involved in a project to collaborate easily, quickly and remotely. They can view, interpret and adjust 3D geodata and geological models together with other users in real time − regardless of location, time or device. In this way, LiquidEarth reduces time and costs, helps experts understand geological features, and supports them in the creation of reliable 3D models.
Author: Fabian Stamm M. Sc., COO und Co-Founder, Terranigma Solutions GmbH, Aachen/Germany
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Mining in Space – Excavation of Raw Materials on Other Celestial Bodies
The Moon Aixperts’ regOne system. Source: RWTH
he exploration of space has fascinated humankind for decades. Along with this, establishing a colony on other celestial bodies, such as the moon or Mars, has gained increasing interest. For building such a colony, the use of extraterrestrial raw materials is of great importance. In order to make these raw materials usable, just as in terrestrial processes, the first tasks are prospecting for valuable resources as well as mining the mineral raw material. Due to the challenging environment, innovative and highly autonomous processes are required for the excavation of raw materials …
Authors: Alexandra Radl M. Sc., Univ.-Prof. Dr.-Ing. Elisabeth Clausen, Institute for Advanced Mining Technologies (AMT), RWTH Aachen University, Aachen/Germany
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