Completed International Projects

The GeoConnect³d project is developing and testing a new methodological approach to prepare and present geological information in support of subsurface management policies. The approach employs two regional case studies: the Roer-to-Rhine region and the Pannonian Basin. These cross-border regional case studies were selected for their complementarity and sufficient diversity—regarding geological setting and the extent of subsurface exploitation and management—to maximize their pan-European relevance. A new bottom-up approach introduces two concepts that enhance the geological understanding of an area and aim to provide a coherent geological context.
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Project manager: Radu Farnoaga

GeoERA H2020 ERA-NET It brings together 15 international projects proposed by various geological surveys in Europe (European Geological Survey Organisations – GSOs). One of the 15 projects is the FRAME project, dedicated to critical raw materials in Europe.
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Project manager: Marian Munteanu

GeoERA H2020 ERA‐NET brings together 15 international projects proposed by several geological services in Europe (European Geological Survey Organizations – GSOs). Within the Raw Materials – RM2B-Natural stone component, one of the approved projects is the EUROLITHOS project, dedicated to European ornamental rock resources.
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Project manager: Dr. Valentina Cetean

The groundwater theme of the GeoERA program (funded under Horizon 2020) aims to provide data, information, and tools to support decision-making regarding the long-term protection, sustainable management, and quality improvement of groundwater resources in Europe, within the context of societal challenges and EU policies. Innovative methodologies will be developed to address the diversity of hydrogeological structures and the varying scales of analysis—ranging from regional to pan-European levels. By collaboratively developing effective tools and methodologies for monitoring, modeling, management, and data visualization—and working closely with other GeoERA themes—partner institutions will enhance the understanding of groundwater systems and their interactions with surface waters and ecosystems. The HOVER and RESOURCE projects, in whose consortia the Geological Institute of Romania (IGR) participates, fall within this thematic area.
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Project manager: Diana Perșa, e‐mail: persa.diana(at)yahoo.ro

The X-MINE project employs a combination of high-energy X-ray fluorescence sensors, X-ray transmission sensors, and optical sensors to assist in the analysis of drill cores (supporting ore exploration) and in ore sorting (at mining sites). Through these means, the project aims to improve the characterization and estimation of mineral resources and to enhance the efficiency of ore extraction from active mines, thereby enabling the exploitation of small deposits or those with complex conditions and boosting the European Union’s mineral resource potential (particularly regarding critical raw materials).
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Project manager: Marian Munteanu; e-mail: marianmunteanu2000(at)gmail.com

The SUSMIN project (2014–2016) was carried out within the framework of the ERA-MIN program (Network on the Industrial Handling of Raw Materials for European Industries). The activities of the participating institutions from Romania were funded by the Executive Agency for Higher Education, Research, Development and Innovation Funding (UEFISCDI).
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DARLINGe (Danube Region Leading Geothermal Energy), running from January 1, 2017, to September 30, 2019, is an INTERREG project under the Danube Transnational Programme, co-financed by the European Union (85%), the Ministry of Regional Development and Public Administration (13%), and IGR’s own public funds (2%).

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The CHPM2030 project—Combined heat, power and metal extraction from ultradeep ore bodies (2016–2019), co-funded by the Horizon 2020 Programme—proposed the development of an innovative technology for extracting metals from deep-seated mineralized zones in conjunction with geothermal energy exploitation. In addition to the Geological Institute of Romania, the project consortium includes geological surveys and universities from the UK, Belgium, Iceland, Portugal, Spain, Austria, Sweden, and Hungary.

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The U-Geohaz project focuses on monitoring ground deformations associated with geohazards—a key preventive measure specifically targeting urban areas and critical infrastructure. The project will propose a procedure for generating maps to continuously assess the potential impact of geohazard activity. These maps will provide essential input for early warning systems, offering information on the stability of monitored areas as well as projected damage and potential losses. U-Geohaz aims to advance SAFETY by evolving from periodically updated maps to the mapping and early monitoring of geohazard activity.

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Mining Waste Management – ​​IMPEL (European Union Network for the Implementation and Enforcement of Environmental Law)

Project number: 8/2021, Period: 2021–2023

Funded by: European Commission
Project description and objectives
Mining activity has always been a source of raw materials for humanity, yet it has simultaneously generated numerous environmental problems. Vast quantities of extractive waste—often abandoned—serves as sources of pollution and create areas of geotechnical and hydrogeological instability. In the wake of numerous accidents involving mining operations, the European Commission adopted Directive 2006/21/EC on the management of waste from the extractive industries (known as the Mining Waste Directive), which amended Directive 2004/35/EC.

The Mining Directive sets out measures, procedures, and guidelines to prevent or reduce, as far as possible, any adverse effects on the environment—particularly on water, air, soil, fauna, flora, and the landscape—as well as any resulting risks to human health. Accordingly, each Member State must ensure that mining companies devise a waste management plan for the minimization, treatment, recovery, and disposal of extractive waste, taking into account the principle of sustainable development.

This project aims to compare the transposition of the Directive across various Member States in order to assess common approaches to the improved management of extractive waste and to gain an overview of the conversion and recovery of mining waste in each state, in line with the European Circular Economy concept.

Expected results:

• Report on the assessment of mining waste management based on the diverse experiences of project partners, potentially including proposals for the recycling or reuse of this type of waste.
• Building a community to continue the dialogue and consolidate knowledge on this rapidly evolving topic, particularly regarding critical raw materials.

Project coordinator for Romania: Dr. Eng. Iustina POPESCU

Evolved Magmatic and Pegmatitic Systems as Sources of Critical Raw Materials and Industrial Minerals

PN III Program Name: Program 3 – European and International Cooperation – Sub-program Name: Sub-program 3.2 – Horizon 2020
Contract No. 306/2022
Contract duration: 32 months (02.05.2022 – 31.12.2024)
Project code: COFUND-ERAMIN-3-PEGMAT
Project acronym: PEGMAT

Project objectives:
The PEGMAT project falls under Thematic Area 1 (Supply of raw materials from exploration and mining) of the ERA-MIN3/2021 call. The objectives and original contribution include, in particular:

1. comprehensive assessment and significantly improved knowledge regarding potential sources of critical raw materials in the Carpathian-Balkan region (Slovakia, Romania, Bulgaria);
2. comprehensive quantitative analysis of deposits using advanced GIS/3D modeling techniques;
3. modeling the formation of critical raw material deposits, with a particular focus on predicting the occurrence of critical mineral raw material sources using modern techniques (the cell-association method approach – Tourlière et al., 2015).
   The project’s innovative, comprehensive methodology and results aim to have a direct impact on both research and the exploration of critical raw materials in the Carpathian-Balkan region and Central Europe.

Estimated results and benefits

1. Improving knowledge regarding the quality of existing or newly identified deposits of critical raw materials;
2. Enhancing the scientific understanding—from geological, mineralogical, and geochemical perspectives—of the processes leading to the formation of evolved, rare-metal-bearing pegmatites;
3. Generating new regional-scale data (mineralogical, geochemical, and geological) accessible to researchers, exploration companies, and potential operators;
4. Transferring knowledge and expertise;
5. Intensifying cooperation and student exchanges between partner institutions;
6. Promoting new research and exploration initiatives based on the creation of new datasets and the development of state-of-the-art research and assessment methodologies.

The project results will primarily serve as a basis for evaluating the potential of rare-metal pegmatites and granitoids as sources of critical metals, in line with national and European sustainable development strategies.

Project WEB page: pegmat.igr.ro
Project coordinator representing Geological Institute of Romania:
dr. ing Gavril Săbău
g_sabau@yahoo.co.uk

Artificial Intelligence and Combined Drilling Techniques for Quarry Optimization

Programme 3 – European and International Cooperation – Sub-programme 3.2 – Horizon 2020

Contract No.: 305/2022

Contract period 33 months (01.04.2022 – 31.12.2024)

Project description and objectives
Stone blocks—such as marble, granite, and sandstone—are natural materials in high demand across various industries. The market for these materials is currently valued at €30 billion and is growing. However, quarrying operations are constrained by two adverse factors. First, natural fractures and discontinuities within the stone deposits hinder the extraction of large blocks, which command significantly higher commercial value than smaller ones. Second, stone extraction generates substantial waste, as not all excavated material is suitable for commercial use.

As markets expand, environmental risks will intensify. To address this situation, the project will combine geophysical and photogrammetric methods to populate a database with a comprehensive inventory of major European quarrying sites. These non-invasive, in-situ measurements will utilize unmanned aerial vehicles equipped with specialized smart sensors, radar, digital borehole imaging, and integrated data processing. These tools will be used to detect discontinuity surfaces within the natural stone and to generate a polygonal model. Subsequently, this polygonal model will be analyzed using an innovative artificial intelligence approach. The identification of discontinuities will be enhanced through effective procedures leveraging AI algorithms, leading to a higher level of automation compared to current practices.

The derived discrete fracture network will serve as input for the polyhedron extraction and computational optimization methodology. These innovative algorithms employ a combination of parameters—such as maximum cuboid volume, slab surface area, quarry cutting grid orientation, and commercially relevant factors—to enable a framework for the automated design and optimization of extraction plans tailored to specific mine properties, thereby maximizing the size of the extracted stone blocks.

This will increase the efficiency of raw material supply while establishing an eco-friendly and sustainable extraction method. Furthermore, it is expected to reduce waste generation while lowering energy and water consumption. The developed model will be validated for each quarry site and implemented at existing quarries. A significant impact of this project will be the recovery of up to 25% of the waste generated. Completion of the project represents a substantial technological advancement in natural resource extraction and a reduction in environmental risks, thereby boosting competitiveness in the sector. The projected technology readiness level (TRL) upon project completion is TRL 7.

The final results reported to UEFISCDI can be downloaded from the website.

https://www.ai-costsqo.igr.ro/.

 

~Projects other WEB pages:

http://ai-costsqo-project.com/

http://ai-costsqo.com/

Project Director representing the partner, the Geological Institute of Romania:

Dr. Eng. Laurentiu Asimopolos

asimopolos@gmail.com

laurentiu.asimopolos@igr.ro

031 403 34 79

+40 751 550 941

 

 

Summary:
Stone blocks such as marble, granite and sandstone are natural materials in high demand in a variety of industries. Their market is currently worth 30 billion euros and growing. However, their exploitation in quarries is conditioned by two unfavorable factors. First, fractures and discontinuities have naturally occurred in these ores, which prevent the excavation of large blocks with a significantly higher commercial value compared to small blocks. Second, quarrying is a very waste-intensive process, as not all excavated material is commercially usable.

With booming markets, environmental risks will become more serious. To improve the above situation, in the project we will combine geophysical and photogrammetric methods to populate a database with a comprehensive inventory of the main European mining sites. These in-situ, non-invasive measurements will include unmanned aerial vehicles equipped with specialized intelligent sensors, radar, digital borehole imaging and integrated data processing. These will be used to detect discontinuity surfaces in natural stone and formulate a polygonal model. Next, the polygonal model will be examined through an innovative artificial intelligence approach. The identification of discontinuities will be improved through effective procedures with the help of artificial intelligence algorithms that will lead to a higher degree of automation, compared to the current situation.

The derived discrete fracture network will be considered as input for the polyhedron extraction methodology and computational optimization. These innovative algorithms consist of the combined use of several parameters such as the maximum volume of cuboids, the area of ​​the slabs, the orientation of the cutting grid in the quarries and commercially relevant parameters. In turn, this will enable the framework for the automatic design and optimization of mining plans, adapted to the specific properties of the mines, maximizing the size of the mined stone blocks.

This will increase the efficiency of the supply of raw materials, while creating a green and sustainable mode of exploitation. In addition, this should reduce waste production while consuming less energy and water. The developed model will be validated for each location of the quarries and will be applied to the existing quarries. An important impact of this project will be the recovery of up to 25% of the amount of waste. The completion of this project means a considerable technological improvement in the exploitation of natural resources and the reduction of environmental risks, thus stimulating competitiveness in the field. The degree of technological maturity expected at the completion of the project is TRL 7.

Final results reported to UEFISCDI can be downloaded from the following page:

https://www.ai-costsqo.igr.ro

 

Web page of the project:

http://ai-costsqo-project.com/

http://ai-costsqo.com/

Topic
Topic 1: Supply of raw materials from exploration to mining

Subtopic
Sub-Topic 1.1: Exploration, Sub-Topic 1.2: Mining operations, Sub-Topic 5.1: New business models (implementing circular economy aspects)

Consortium

Partner 1:

Prof. Alparslan TURANBOY

BAY E Bilişim Danışmanlık Eğitim Bilgisayar Sanayive Ticaret Limited Şirketi Ardıçlı Mahallesi, Gürbulut Sokak, Safir Panorama Blok, NoF117, 42075 Konya
Turkey (TUBITAK)

aturanboy@erbakan.edu.tr

+90 332 582 60 00

+90 542 527 14 69

bayebilisim.com

Partner 2:

Dr. Camelia Madear

University of Petrosani, Environmental Engineering and Geology Department
University Street, 20, 332006 Petrosani, Romania (UEFISCDI)

CameliaMadear@upet.rom

+40 254 542 580

+40 744 607 738

www.upet.ro

Partner 3:

Dr. Zoran Levnajic

Faculty of Information Studies in Novo Mesto, Complex systems and Data Science Lab, Ljubljanska cesta 31a, 8000 Novo Mesto, Slovenia, 8000 Novo Mesto, Slovenia (MIZS)

zoran.levnajic@fis.unm.si

+386 737 378 84

+386 412 887 78

Partner 4:

Prof. Stefano Bondua

UNIBO – University of Bologna, DICAM – Department of Civil, Chemical, Environmental and Materials Engineering, Via Zamboni, 33, 40126 Bologna, Italy (MUR)

stefano.bondua@unibo.it

+39 051 209 04 75

+39 320 479 47 52

Partner 5:

Dr. Eng. Laurentiu Asimopolos

Geological Institute of Romania, National Institute for Research and Development in Geology, Geophysics, Geochemistry and Remote Sensing
Caransebes Str., 1 No., 012271, Bucharest, Romania (UEFISCDI)

asimopolos@gmail.com

laurentiu.asimopolos@igr.ro

031 403 34 79

+40 751 550 941

+40 751 550 941

www.igr.ro

Project title: Trend Reversal in Groundwater Pollution – IMPEL (European Union Network for the Implementation and Enforcement of Environmental Law)
Period: 2020 (ongoing)
Funded by: European Commission
Web page: Inversarea: Inversarea tendinței de poluare a apelor subterane | Impel

 

Project description and objectives

Article 4 of the Water Framework Directive (WFD) requires Member States, inter alia, to protect, enhance, and restore all groundwater bodies with the aim of achieving good groundwater status by December 2015 and to implement the measures necessary to reverse any significant and sustained upward trend in pollutant concentrations. In reality, however, 25% of groundwater bodies in the EU (and, for example, 36% in Germany) were in poor chemical status in 2015, primarily due to nitrate and pesticide pollution from agriculture. Furthermore, according to a 2018 EEA report, the total area of ​​groundwater bodies showing an identified upward pollution trend is still nearly double the area showing a trend reversal (9.9% versus 5.9% of the area).

Consequently, there is a serious implementation gap in the EU regarding groundwater protection, and only a few Member States have achieved some success in reversing the trend. In recent years—most recently Germany in June 2018—certain Member States have been found by the CJEU to be in breach of their obligations under the Nitrates Directive for failing to adopt the necessary additional measures or to strengthen existing ones to reduce water pollution once it became evident that the national action programme was insufficient.

The project aims to reduce this implementation gap by analyzing potential tools and best practices at the administrative level, particularly those of regional and local water authorities.

 

Coordinators for Romania:

• Dr. Eng. Iustina Popescu – Geological Institute of Romania
• Liviu Constantin – National Environmental Guard