Speaker
Description
Muon imaging, or muography, is emerging as a valuable non-invasive method for mineral exploration and mining, particularly where density contrasts can complement conventional geophysics. In the Horizon Europe project AGEMERA (2022–2025) (doi:10.3030/101058178), muography was developed as one of the project’s three core innovative geophysical methods for critical raw material exploration, alongside passive seismic and drone geophysics. Its role was to enable density characterisation of rock volumes to support 2D and 3D imaging in mining and brownfield settings, and contribute to integrated interpretations alongside other geophysical and geological datasets. AGEMERA also framed muography as part of a broader responsible-exploration workflow aimed at improving geological understanding while reducing reliance on invasive drilling.
In the ongoing Horizon Europe project Mine.io (2023–2026) (doi:10.3030/101091885), this work has been extended toward digitally integrated mineral exploration. Muography has been advanced through mining-oriented imaging and monitoring instrumentation and through an underwater concept that combines a muon detector, waterproof casing, and autonomous robotic deployment, validated in flooded open-pit conditions in Portugal as a step toward applications in water-filled mine environments. Within Mine.io, muography is thus being positioned not only as an imaging method but also as part of a broader digital exploration workflow linked with robotics, positioning, and integrated data environments.
Together, AGEMERA and Mine.io show how muography is moving from promising field-demonstration technology toward scalable, application-oriented exploration and mining solutions.