about
the project
// RELATED EU POLICIES
The BLOOM project is closely aligned with several key EU policies that support the transition to a green, sustainable, and competitive economy:
// CHALLENGES & NEEDS
The extractive and processing industries in the EU face significant challenges to meet the objectives of these policies
Increasing circularity by enhancing recycling into secondary raw materials and recovery from extractive waste.
Ensuring sustainability in mining and processing by being competitive, socially responsible, and cost-efficient while reducing energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions.
// OUR GOAL
BLOOM aims to support the EU in addressing these challenges by developing innovative solutions to facilitate the exploitation of critical minerals and metals, strengthening EU supply chains. The key objectives include:
Increasing efficiency in mineral extraction and processing through a smart and modular solids analysis system. This includes online Mineral Liberation Analysis (MLA) using Laser-Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy (LIBS), advanced control loops, and AI-driven operations.
// Key objectives
1. Develop and validate a Modular Analysis System (MAS)
BLOOM will create and demonstrate a user-friendly, modular online mineral liberation analyser (MLA) using Laser-Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy (LIBS) technology. This system will analyse a variety of samples (e.g., solid samples from drilling and slurries from processing stages), delivering detailed insights into mineral composition, size distribution, and other properties. It will operate with adaptive resolutions, enabling quick and scalable processing, providing results in as little as 15 minutes.
2. Optimise mineral processing with AI
By integrating AI algorithms and control strategies, the MAS will enable real-time adjustments to key processing stages, such as grinding, gravity, and froth flotation. These optimisations will ensure efficiency across the entire processing chain rather than focusing on isolated stages, balancing performance for maximum overall output.
3. Enable real time mine planning for new block economic models
BLOOM will develop new economic models that integrate real-time cost and mineral yield data into mine planning. This will enable dynamic updates to mining strategies, redefining mine limits, extraction schedules, and reserve estimations while recalculating economic indicators like Net Present Value (NPV) and Internal Rate of Return (IRR).
4. Demonstrate technological improvements of the Modular Analysis System (MAS)
BLOOM’s technology will be validated in real-world conditions at different pilot and demo sites. The applications will include:
- Optimising mineral processing for increased efficiency.
- Recalculating economic indicators for mining operations.
- Demonstrating adaptability to primary and secondary raw materials with a focus on tantalum, niobium, copper, and cobalt to show scalability and replicability.
5. Prove the sustainability of BLOOM solutions
The project will perform a life cycle assessment in line with the Environmental Footprint method to demonstrate the environmental, technical, and economic benefits of its solutions. This will include enabling other new circular business models that transform low-grade ores and waste into exploitable reserves, increasing access to EU raw materials.
6. Develop a business case
BLOOM will deliver a techno-economic analysis to evaluate the performance and market viability of its solutions. This includes detailed assessments of processes, costs, and scalability to facilitate the adoption of these technologies by the industry.
// EXPECTED IMPACT
BLOOM aims to revolutionise the EU mining and processing sector by demonstrating:
