RDI projects
RDI projects
#savoniaAMK
Project Information |  |
| Name | BOREAS |
| Start | 1.5.2026 |
| End | 30.4.2030 |
| Website | - |
| Status | Running |
| Contact | Rosa Sartjärvi |
| Description | EU aims to increase self-sufficiency and secure the production of Critical Raw Materials inside EU, filling the entire value chain of products manifactured here. This development cannot be on the cost of the environment, thus new, non-invasive, selective, sustainable and environmental friendly mining technologies have to be developed.
Mining activities generate wastewater streams that pose significant environmental risks due to their complex composition, which often includes acidic drainage, heavy metals, residual processing chemicals, and high suspended solids. These effluents can contaminate surface and groundwater, bioaccumulate in food webs, and degrade aquatic and soil ecosystems for decades if unmanaged. Wastewaters from mining activities frequently contain metals like arsenic, lead, cadmium, mercury, and nickel, which are toxic to aquatic life and can bioaccumulate in food chains. Even at low concentrations, heavy metals can impair reproduction, growth, and enzyme function in fish, invertebrates, and plants. Another severe problem is Acid mine drainage (AMD), that occurs when sulfide-rich waste rock or tailings are exposed to water and oxygen and sulfuric acid forms, drastically lowering pH. This acidic water dissolves metals from surrounding rock, creating highly corrosive, metal-rich drainage that devastates downstream ecosystems. The suspended solids from tailings can smother aquatic habitats, reduce light penetration, and harm filter-feeding organisms. |
| Partners | Luleå Technical University (LTU) - Coordinator
Danmarks Technical University (DTU) University of Patras, Greece (UPAT) Community Forged Innovation, Consultant (CFI) European Federation of Geologists (EFG) Agnico Eagle Finland (AE) Epiroc Digital Hub South Africa (Pty) Ltd (EPI) Generator Beyond the Brand (GEN) Cybercube (CYBER) NOKIA (NOKIA) Kisserup International Trade Roots Inc (KISS) Greenland Resources (GR) |
| Funded by | Horizon Europe |