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Session 8

15:00 – 16:10 / 22 October 2025   Lagoas hall

Invisible Mining: Addressing EU Raw Material Challenges Through Technological Innovation

The European Union faces significant challenges in implementing its raw materials policy, particularly in balancing the need for critical raw materials with environmental protection and public acceptance. The concept of “invisible mining” is emerging as a potential solution to address these challenges through technological innovation leveraging advancements in robotics, miniaturisation, and AI to enable low-impact, low-visibility underground mining.

Moderator
Richard Elmer
Director
Knight Piesold
Speakers:
15:00 - Tailings re-mining and progressive restoration as suitable forms to reduce mining impact.
Joao Verde
Senior Geotechnical Engineer
Knight Piésold
15:10 - Low impact mine proposals, and why they are the key to developing mines in Europe.
David O'Connor
Consulting Partner
ERM
15:25 - Breaking Ground, Not the Planet: Decarbonization in Mining Studies
Sean Kautzman
Principal Consultant (Mining)
SRK Consulting
15:35 - 25 years of Environmental Remediation of Former Mining Areas in Portugal – Challenges, Achievements and Sustainability for the Future.
Carlos Martins
Technical Director
EDM - Empresa de Desenvolvimento Mineiro
15:45 - A Pioneering Project of Mine Rehabilitation of Sulphide-rich Ore Deposits Based on Geomorphic Solutions Coupled with AMD Chemical Stabilization at Lousal Mine, Portugal
Alvaro Pinto
Executive Director
Centro Ciência Viva do Lousal - Mina de Ciência | Faculdade de Ciências da Universidade de Lisboa

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