The activities of PILOT 1 within the SCIMIN – CRM project, funded by the European Commission and led by ANEFA, have started in Asturias. This pilot is part of the SCIMIN – CRM initiative, coordinated by the Government of the Principality (DGASTUR), with participation from IGME-CSIC and industry stakeholders. The region hosts 1,182 mining waste facilities (MWFs). The project aims to develop methodologies for recovering Critical Raw Materials (CRM) from waste rock dumps and tailings ponds associated with metal and industrial mining, assessing their economic feasibility, environmental impact, and heritage value. This pilot presents a unique challenge by addressing multiple MWFs across an entire region, transforming uncertainty into an opportunity for validating innovative resource recovery strategies.
The pilot will focus on the recovery of fluorite and barite through two approaches: processing waste rock dumps using advanced concentration techniques and characterizing CRM in flotation tailings with extractive technologies. Supported by key industry companies (MINERSA/AMP), this case study will serve as a reference to demonstrate the viability of these technologies at an industrial scale, paving the way for future CRM recovery initiatives across Europe.
The SCIMIN – CRM (Sustainable & Circular Production of Mineral Critical Raw Materials) project emphasizes the development of sustainable mining practices, promoting circular economy principles, and ensuring a secure supply of essential raw materials for Europe.
