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Nina Lokar, a postdoctoral researcher at the National Institute of Chemistry (NIC) in Slovenia, co-leads Work Package 5 (WP5) in the DINAMINE project, focusing on mining waste valorization. With expertise in biophysics, chemical characterization, and data analysis, she works to develop sustainable solutions for the mining industry.

WP5 has been instrumental in developing the Tailing Information Model (TIM), a digital system for tracking mining waste and tailings. Key accomplishments include:

• Establishing real-time quality assessment criteria for tailings at project pilot site in Norway (Skaland Graphite AS).
• Integrating TIM within the Mine Information Model (MIM) to enhance selective mining and regulatory compliance.
• Conducting advanced chemical and structural analyses on tailings and waste rock, using techniques such as ICP-SFMS, SEM-EDS, XRD, and pozzolanic reactivity tests.
• Submitting Deliverable D5.2, which characterizes mining waste and tailings from the pilot sites.

Future work includes further development of TIM (Deliverable D5.1), geochemical speciation modeling, leaching performance evaluation, and assessment of potential valorization applications (Deliverable D5.3).

Discover more by reading her interview!

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Tell us about yourself

I am a postdoctoral researcher at the National Institute of Chemistry (NIC) in Slovenia and have a background in biophysics. My research journey has taken me through various biomedical disciplines, beginning in academia, followed by industrial R&D in an ophthalmology company, and then returning to academia for my PhD in biosciences, where I focused on microfluidic enzyme biosensors, the electrochemical aspect of which eventually brought me to NIC, where my research expanded further. This interdisciplinary mindset now helps me to tackle challenges in sustainable mining. I am currently co-leading work package 5 (WP5) of the DINAMINE project, where I focus on the valorization of mining waste and tailings. I am also involved in other work packages, contributing to research into optimal, low-emission transportation solutions, investigating the use of hydrogen in mining and calculating greenhouse gas emissions as part of the development of a Mineral Processing Model (MPM). As I am still relatively early in my postdoctoral journey, I greatly appreciate the support of WP5 co-leader Blaž Likozar. He is an associate professor and head of the Department of Catalysis and Chemical Reaction Engineering at NIC. He leads variety of academic and industrial research programmes. His expertise spans heterogeneous materials for catalysis as well as modelling, simulation and optimization in areas such as fluid mechanics, transport phenomena and chemical kinetics.

What inspires you about working in the DINAMINE project? Tell us about your role as a Work Package leader

My work in WP5 is driven by the need to create sustainable solutions for the mining industry, reducing environmental impact while finding value in materials that were once considered waste. My role allows me to apply my expertise in chemical characterization and complex data analysis to develop sustainable solutions for the mining industry. I am passionate about bridging scientific research with real-world applications, fostering collaborations, and contributing to innovative advancements in various fields, also in environmental sustainability, like in DINAMINE. What inspires me also is the mining field itself, which was largely unknown to me before this project. As Max Planck once said: “Mining is not everything, but without mining everything is nothing.” I am beginning to appreciate how crucial this sector is for the entire world. I’m becoming more aware of how difficult it is to obtain basic raw materials, and this has led me to reflect on how global consumption can sometimes be rather hasty. All of this really inspires me and makes me think about how to improve the world.

Can you walk us through the work already completed and planned in your Work Package?

WP5 has made progress in development of the Tailing Information Model (TIM) for digital tracking of waste and tailings. In Task 5.1, the work has focused on defining near-real-time criteria for tailing quality assessment at underground mine Skaland Graphite AS in Norway (SKA), integrating TIM within the Mine Information Model (MIM) to support selective mining and regulatory compliance. Within Task 5.2 deliverable D5.2 was submitted. It characterizes tailings and waste rock from pilot sites SKA and open-pit mine Felmica Minerais Industries S.A. in Portugal (FEL). The analyses and tests performed included inductively coupled sector field mass spectrometry (ICP-SFMS), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS), X-ray diffraction (XRD), pozzolanic reactivity and mortar compressive strength. Future work includes further TIM development in deliverable D5.1, developing a geochemical speciation model, evaluating leaching performance, and assessing potential valorization applications, culminating in deliverable D5.3.

How do you envision the future of mining waste/tailings valorisation in Europe?

The future of mining waste and tailings valorisation in Europe is expected to shift towards a more circular and sustainable approach, driven by stricter environmental regulations, resource efficiency, and technological advancements. The focus will likely be on integrating digital tracking systems like the TIM to enhance transparency and optimize waste management. Advanced processing techniques, including selective recovery of critical raw materials, geochemical stabilization, and innovative reuse strategies will gain importance. Additionally, life cycle assessments and eco-design principles will play a crucial role in ensuring that valorisation strategies align with sustainability goals. Collaboration between industries, research institutions, and policymakers will be key to unlocking economic value from tailings while minimizing environmental impact. Nevertheless, despite Slovenia having the oldest preserved mine entrance in Europe and several other unique mining-related features, the mining industry is gradually diminishing, with the last remaining mine slowly closing its doors. However, its rich mining heritage and expertise in advanced materials science can still contribute to the future of sustainable mining and waste valorization in Europe.

What outcomes are you aiming for with DINAMINE?

With DINAMINE, my outcomes focus on advancing sustainable and efficient mining practices through innovative, data-driven solutions. By developing TIM and MPM, we will enable better monitoring and management of waste, as well as optimizing energy and resource consumption in mineral processing. Furthermore, exploring carbon-neutral transport solutions will facilitate the transition to low-emission technologies in mining. All the methods developed within the project can be applied as model approaches for other mining sites, potentially leading to significant advancements in the sector. Overall, this project contributes to a more sustainable and efficient mining industry, addressing a small yet important piece of the larger puzzle in the global effort to protect our Earth – our home.