- 22 June 2026
Techno-economic assessment of the transportation alternatives and safety issues
The European economy relies heavily on critical raw materials that support rapidly growing sectors such as electric mobility, renewable energy, and digital technologies. Demand for key materials is expected to rise significantly in the coming decades. However, many European mining operations still rely on resourceintensive processes and often conventional processes, which can limit productivity, reduce resource efficiency, and contribute to environmental impacts. Strengthening Europe’s resilience and competitiveness therefore requires a transition toward more efficient, digital, and sustainable mining operations.
In this context, the DINAMINE project addresses these challenges by developing innovative solutions for smarter and more sustainable mining. Within the project, Work Package 3 (WP3) focuses on enabling datadriven, automated, and safer mining operations through technologies for real-time rock mass characterisation, optimised excavation design, and integrated system control. As part of WP3, Task 3.4 specifically targets the transition to low- and zero-emission mining transport systems, by assessing and optimising carbon-neutral transport solutions, including the evaluation of power demand, infrastructure constraints, and total cost of ownership for technologies such as battery-electric systems.
This document constitutes Deliverable 3.4 and presents the key activities required to develop and propose optimal low-to-zero-emission transport solutions tailored for small and medium-sized mining operations. It provides a structured framework for identifying, assessing, and recommending sustainable transportation strategies that align with environmental objectives and operational efficiency.
The deliverable includes a detailed description and model setup of the transport alternatives and boundary conditions considered for each demonstration site within the techno-economic assessment (TEA). It also presents the final evaluation of both the current and alternative transportation options, including their technoeconomic performance, CO₂ emissions, and relevant safety considerations.
