Rotate, funded by the European Commission and led by ANEFA under the Horizon programme, continues to move steadily toward its goals of sustainability, digitalization, and efficiency within the European extractive industry. The mid-term review meeting, held on November 7 in Lisbon, brought together representatives from all participating entities to assess the progress achieved and plan the final stage of the project, now entering its last year of development.
During the meeting, the measurable results obtained in various project areas were highlighted. Emphasis was placed on the development of environmental solutions applied to raw material extraction and processing, aimed at reducing emissions, optimizing resource consumption, and minimizing environmental impact.
Progress in Pilot Sites and Technology Validation
The mid-term review showcased the project’s most significant technical advancements, including the development of an electrified mobile crushing system that reduces energy consumption, emissions, and noise; an Artificial Vision System (AVS) capable of real-time granulometry analysis to optimize equipment performance; and the implementation of a high-capacity thickener to maximize water recovery and reuse in extractive plants.
In addition, new environmental and circular economy applications were highlighted, such as the valorization of sludge and mining waste for use in cement, recycled aggregates, 3D printing materials, and lightweight aggregates, along with digital tools for environmental management, energy efficiency, emission control, and biodiversity. These innovations, currently in the validation phase across the various pilot sites, reinforce the project’s commitment to cleaner, more digital, and sustainable mining—fully aligned with the European Green Deal and the EU Critical Raw Materials Strategy.
The project’s different pilot sites have served as testing grounds for new technologies—from the recovery of critical minerals and the reuse of mining residues to advanced water management and energy efficiency.
The tests and demonstrations carried out during this mid-term phase confirm the technical and environmental feasibility of the proposed solutions, paving the way for their large-scale industrial application.
The results presented in Lisbon strengthen the project’s position as a European benchmark in innovation applied to the extractive sector, aligned with the goals of the European Green Deal and the Critical Raw Materials Strategy.
The next phase of work will focus on completing pilot validation and transferring the developed solutions to real operational environments, to present the results over the coming year.
