Unified Novel Deep ExploRation for Critical Ore discoVERy (UNDERCOVER)

Basic data for this project

Description

Recent EU initiatives for a circular 'Net Zero' economy highlight the need for increased raw materials, especially critical mineral resources (CRMs). Traditional exploration methods are limited in scale and depth, often missing large CRM deposits under thick cover (500-1000 m). UNDERCOVER aims to transform deep CRM exploration, introducing a paradigm shift by extending the mineral systems concept, currently underutilised in quantitative exploration, to exploration relevant spatial scales. UNDERCOVER integrates key technologies developed by EU academia and companies: - Low-cost lithosphere-scale surveys (e.g. MT and passive seismic) in full 3D target prospective regions. - Regional scale mapping using innovative airborne techniques for identifying exploration targets beyond 1 km depth. - Improved cost efficiency for high-resolution, deeply penetrating seismic and EM methods (e.g. compressive sensing or drones) for deposit study and environmental exploitation planning. - Application of AI and joint inversion methods to integrate multi-scale, multi-method, geological, geochemical, and geochronological data, resulting in a 4D multi-scale mineral systems model. - Incorporation of ESG studies to increase social acceptance and the adoption of our technologies. - Introduction of UNFC guidelines, integral in our novel exploration strategy as part of the Value of Information. UNDERCOVER’s strategy envisions public-private partnerships collecting precompetitive regional and lithospheric data across Europe. Companies can leverage this data to de-risk exploration programs and enhance funding prospects. The anticipated impacts are substantial – a systematic and reliable approach to deep exploration could double the EU CRM potential, achieved at a lower cost than conventional methods. Case studies in Finland, Portugal, and Namibia demonstrate the strategy by identifying several new deep exploration targets and helping a known deposit to become a sustainable mining project.