MultiMiner Shares Innovative Research at Austrian Mining Day 2024 in Leoben

The Austrian Mining Day, hosted from May 13–15 at Montanuniversität Leoben, welcomed over 160 experts from mining and raw materials to tackle key industry challenges. Organised by the Austrian Miners’ Association (BVÖ), the event focused on workforce development, with EU Director General Kerstin Jorna delivering a keynote emphasising the importance of training for the raw materials sector.

One of the highlights was a presentation by MultiMiner, a team made up of Ferdinand J. Hampl from Montanuniversität Leoben and Julia Weilbold from GeoSphere Austria. Their talk, “Remote Sensing, Mapping, and Formation of Magnesites in the Hochfilzen Region (Tyrol),” showcased exciting progress from the Horizon Europe-supported MultiMiner project.

Magnesite, a critical resource for Europe’s refractory industry, forms when carbonate rocks like dolomite undergo metasomatic transformation. Austria, a leader in magnesite mining and research, still faces questions about how exactly these deposits form in the Eastern Alps. MultiMiner is tackling this mystery head-on, combining cutting-edge tools like drones, hyperspectral imaging, and satellite data calibration with geological mapping and lab analyses.

Their research doesn’t stop at understanding magnesite genesis—it’s also about developing better exploration methods. By merging remote sensing with ground truthing and advanced lab techniques like electron microprobe and Raman spectroscopy, the project aims to set new standards for identifying promising mining areas.

MultiMiner’s work highlights how innovation at Montanuniversität Leoben is shaping the future of raw materials exploration. The team’s contributions underscore the value of research, education, and collaboration in addressing the industry’s most pressing challenges while paving the way for more sustainable resource development.