On December 12th, 2024, Project Coordinator Marko Paavola from VTT represented the GoldenRAM project at the TAIEX-EIR Multi-country Flagship Workshop on Industrial Safety in Brussels, Belgium. The workshop, organised to address emerging risks associated with climate change and decarbonisation, brought together officials from over 20 European countries to discuss critical issues in the context of energy transition and shifting energy sources.
Addressing Emerging Risks in the Energy Transition
As nations worldwide implement policies to phase out fossil fuels and pivot to more sustainable energy sources, new challenges arise with the deployment and operation of alternative energy technologies. The transition to renewable energy sources such as solar, wind, and hydropower often demands the extraction and processing of critical raw materials, raising concerns about the safety and sustainability of these activities.
During the workshop, Marko Paavola highlighted how the GoldenRAM project is tackling these challenges head-on. In his speech, he outlined how GoldenRAM can improve safety across the various stages of the mining life cycle. These solutions not only aim to protect people and the environment but also support the sustainable production of critical raw materials essential for the renewable energy sector.
Marko Paavola from VTT presenting GoldenRAM’s approach to safe and sustainable mining
Added Value of GoldenRAM
GoldenRAM brings a significant added value to discussions on industrial safety through its advanced Earth Observation (EO) platform, which integrates artificial intelligence tools. This platform boosts mining safety and efficiency in various critical areas:
- Safety of People: Ensuring the well-being of workers in mining environments.
- Environmental Safety: Reducing the impacts of mining activities on ecosystems.
- Operational Efficiency: Enhancing the exploration and operations processes.
- Reduced Environmental Impact: Lowering particulate matter and minimising the ecological footprint of exploration.
- Planning and Reporting: Improving production planning, reporting, and monitoring of volume changes at mines, which also provides valuable tools for authorities.
- Public Acceptance: Supporting responsible production and fostering greater public acceptance of mining activities within Europe.
- Dependency Reduction: Reducing reliance on imported raw materials.
- Attracting Talent: Promoting new technologies to attract the next generation of talent to the mining industry.
Positive Feedback and Opportunities for Collaboration
The GoldenRAM project received widespread interest and positive feedback from attendees, highlighting its potential to contribute to a safer and more sustainable future in critical raw material production.
Reflecting on the event, Marko Paavola shared his optimism about the outcomes: “We are very grateful for the opportunity to present GoldenRAM to such a dedicated audience of professionals. This workshop has paved the way for new collaboration opportunities with national officials and European research institutes. We are excited to advance these partnerships as we work towards achieving our shared goals.”
The GoldenRAM project looks forward to continuing its engagement with key stakeholders to support industrial safety and sustainable practices in the face of a rapidly evolving energy landscape.