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The transition to renewable energy needs minerals to build wind, solar, and battery technology for energy production and storage. In order to help the development of this sector and to maintain and enhance the possibility of the EU to become more independent from the import of raw materials we need to improve the research activity for both known an...
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... inventory currently covers ~8,100 mines from 24 countries (D5.4, 2018) ( Figure 3) and contains information about the mine name(s), its location, its accessibility, the extracted commodities, the geological information related to the available maps and sections, the classification of the deposit, the ownership, the activity level, the potential legal restrictions and other useful information. This new open-access database could be used as a research tool to identify abandoned mines that could potentially be re-opened in the future. ...
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... Abandoned mines in the world account for vast, unexploited areas of unique features and infrastructure that lie dormant. In Europe, flooded mines are estimated to be as many as 30,000 [6]. Repurposing of abandoned mines is essential to not only facilitate the development of other sectors but also balance the impact of their past activities through the reuse of these areas, reduction in greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from electricity production in their regions, and creation of new jobs. ...
Mining operations, as with all industrial operations, have a significant impact on the environment both through the generation of waste and through landscape change. In view of this, pioneering and sustainable post-mining technologies are demanded to reduce environmental impact. Clean energy can be part of the solution, with emphasis on the penetration of renewable energy sources (RES) for the mitigation of greenhouse gases. RES production is inherently fluctuating, at times being insufficient while others creating energy surpluses. Converting a mining site into a parallel renewable energy generation facility can provide new job opportunities and economic value, as well as contribute to a more secure energy supply. Abandoned mines present a viable option for the installation of such systems, exploiting their underground facilities for safe storage. In this regard, the underground facilities can be exploited for green hydrogen (H 2) energy storage systems to be used on-site in times of RES deficits. Underground H 2 storage has many advantages over surface storage, including safer storage, smaller footprints, a larger storage capacity, and a lower cost. The re-use of pre-existing infrastructure and land availability for deploying solar parks also offers innovative ways to generate clean energy. This study examines the potential of repurposing abandoned mines in the form of renewable energy generation facilities in order to improve their environmental impact and move quickly towards sustainable and innovative mining throughout Europe.
