The project “Research center for smart exploration” will focus on sustainable extraction and enrichment of metals and minerals. The work is led by Uppsala University. Samarkand2015 and Nordic Iron Ore, nine, are a couple of the participants in the research centre. The goal is to gather leading skills to make scientific breakthroughs and technological jumps in the field, over a six-year period. The research must be about metals and minerals that are critical of innovation, necessary for green/smart transition, rare, of lack of access or should not be traded from conflict zones.
The research center has received a grant of SEK 60 million from the Foundation for Strategic Research, SSF. Two project applications were received by SSF’s call for MRC-Metmin, which is considered a reasonable number as the lion’s share of Swedish academic expertise, related to the extraction and enrichment of strategic metals and minerals, is deemed to have been involved in the applications. The call was only aimed at internationally leading research groups with the requirement to participate in a maximum of two different project proposals per organization.
The project applications came from Sweden’s largest universities and technical colleges and the industrial interest was impressively great, with active participation from both large Swedish industrial companies and less specialized companies. A total of 17 Swedish companies participated in the project applications.
The winning consortium shows breadth and strength and is run from Uppsala University by project manager Alireza Malehmir. The center also includes researchers from Lund University, Stockholm University and Gothenburg University. Samarkand2015, Epiroc, Nordic Iron Ore, First Quantum Minerals, Tyréns, Bitsimnow, Eurobattery Minerals and AMKVO participate from Swedish industry.
Among other things, the research center is expected to provide training for 15 doctoral students and 5 postdocs in this area.
– It feels fantastic that our joint project receives 60 million to create this important research center. Research into sustainable mineral mining is a crucial part of the green transition. Our role is also to be the bridge and contribute to the dialogue in society. We have a strong anchoring both in civil society, industry and academia, which I think the center will benefit greatly from, says Lars Lindblom, CEO, Samarkand2015.
Read more: Smart Exploration Research Center – UU – Uppsala University
For further information please contact:
Lars Lindblom, CEO Samarkand2015
lars.lindblom@samarkand2015.com, 070-604 65 15
Ronne Hamerslag, CEO Nordic Iron Ore
Ronne.hamerslag@nordironore.se, 0240–88 301
