As the world’s demand for raw materials surges due to digitalization and decarbonization, a critical knowledge gap in mining’s environmental and social impacts has emerged. Despite an abundance of data, mining operations remain under-measured, even within the European Union.
The MINE-THE-GAP project, led by researcher Victor Maus, aims to create scalable and reliable mining indicators using advanced satellite data and artificial intelligence (AI) to address this issue. The project, funded through the EU’s Horizon Europe Programme, will provide mine-level indicators on land use, waste generation, and extracted minerals that are timely, locally relevant, and globally consistent.
By integrating high-precision satellite data with cutting-edge AI models, MINE-THE-GAP seeks to bridge this gap and provide effective monitoring and transparency tools. The project’s outcomes will contribute to enforcing European supply chain transparency laws and advancing the UN Sustainable Development Goals.
Monitoring Mining’s Environmental and Social Impacts: The MINE-THE-GAP Project
The increasing demand for raw materials driven by digitalization and decarbonization has highlighted the need to address the environmental and social impacts of mining. Despite the abundance of data, mining operations remain under-measured, even within the European Union. Essential information about mine locations, waste generation, and extracted minerals is often incomplete or outdated, hindering sustainable development efforts worldwide. The MINE-THE-GAP project aims to bridge this knowledge gap by creating scalable, reliable mining indicators using advanced satellite data and artificial intelligence (AI).
The project, led by Victor Maus, a researcher at the IIASA Advancing Systems Analysis Program, has been selected for a European Research Council Consolidator Grant. This funding will support the development of a novel approach to monitoring mining’s environmental and social impacts. By integrating high-precision satellite data with cutting-edge AI models, the project aims to provide timely, locally relevant, and globally consistent mine-level indicators. These indicators will include information on land use, waste generation, and extracted minerals, enabling effective monitoring and transparency.
The lack of detailed spatial information about mining operations worldwide has hindered researchers’ ability to assess decarbonization strategies and inform policy and decision-making. The MINE-THE-GAP project addresses this issue by providing a comprehensive understanding of the industry’s impacts. By doing so, it will contribute to enforcing European supply chain transparency laws and advancing the UN Sustainable Development Goals. As the mining sector is growing rapidly, the project’s outcomes will lay the foundation for monitoring the expected mining expansion globally and provide the best possible data to assess potential impacts and risks.
The project’s approach is closely aligned with global sustainability goals, providing methods and data needed to combat climate change, protect ecosystems and biodiversity, and enforce ethical sourcing standards. By knowing where and how mining impacts occur, stakeholders can be held accountable, and informed decision-making can be promoted at all levels. The MINE-THE-GAP project will collaborate with researchers worldwide, ensuring a global reach and impact.
The Importance of Monitoring Mining’s Environmental Impacts
The environmental impacts of mining are far-reaching and devastating. The extraction of minerals and metals can result in deforestation, habitat destruction, and water pollution, among other consequences. However, the lack of detailed information about mining operations has hindered efforts to mitigate these impacts. The MINE-THE-GAP project addresses this issue by providing a comprehensive understanding of the industry’s environmental impacts.
Detailed mapping of mining activities is vital for understanding their environmental impacts. By integrating satellite data with AI models, the project will provide accurate and timely information about land use, waste generation, and extracted minerals. This information will enable researchers to assess decarbonization strategies and inform policy and decision-making. The project’s outcomes will contribute to enforcing European supply chain transparency laws and advancing the UN Sustainable Development Goals.
The MINE-THE-GAP project’s approach is closely aligned with global sustainability goals, providing methods and data needed to combat climate change, protect ecosystems and biodiversity, and enforce ethical sourcing standards. By knowing where and how mining impacts occur, stakeholders can be held accountable, and informed decision-making can be promoted at all levels.
The Role of Satellite Data and Artificial Intelligence in Monitoring Mining Impacts
The MINE-THE-GAP project’s approach relies heavily on the integration of satellite data with AI models. This novel approach enables the provision of timely, locally relevant, and globally consistent mine-level indicators. By leveraging advanced satellite data, the project can provide accurate information about mining operations worldwide.
The use of AI models allows for the analysis of large datasets, enabling the identification of patterns and trends that may not be apparent through traditional methods. This approach will enable researchers to assess decarbonization strategies and inform policy and decision-making. The project’s outcomes will contribute to enforcing European supply chain transparency laws and advancing the UN Sustainable Development Goals.
The integration of satellite data with AI models is a critical component of the MINE-THE-GAP project. By leveraging these technologies, the project can provide accurate and timely information about mining operations worldwide, enabling effective monitoring and transparency.
The Global Reach and Impact of the MINE-THE-GAP Project
The MINE-THE-GAP project’s outcomes will have a global reach and impact. As the mining sector is growing rapidly, the project’s contributions will lay the foundation for monitoring the expected mining expansion globally. By providing the best possible data to assess potential impacts and risks, the project will enable informed decision-making at all levels.
The project’s approach is closely aligned with global sustainability goals, providing methods and data needed to combat climate change, protect ecosystems and biodiversity, and enforce ethical sourcing standards. The MINE-THE-GAP project will collaborate with researchers worldwide, ensuring a global reach and impact.
By knowing where and how mining impacts occur, stakeholders can be held accountable, and informed decision-making can be promoted at all levels. The MINE-THE-GAP project’s outcomes will contribute to enforcing European supply chain transparency laws and advancing the UN Sustainable Development Goals, ultimately promoting sustainable development worldwide.
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