Critical raw materials are essential for the European economy due to their unique properties and strategic importance, but their supply is highly vulnerable as Europe largely depends on external sources. The MiningBrines (Multidisciplinary Integration and Networking for Increased Sustainability and Multi-Resources Valorization of Geothermal Brines) project addresses this challenge by developing an integrated and sustainable strategy for the extraction of multiple resources (i.e., critical raw materials and energy gases) from geothermal brines combining it with their utilization for geothermal energy production. MiningBrines brings together leading academic and industrial partners to train 19 Doctoral Candidates through an interdisciplinary program that integrates geosciences, biogeochemistry, artificial intelligence, and socio-economic analysis. The project aims to train a new highly skilled workforce equipped with advanced characterization methods, sophisticated modeling software, and a novel generation of tools, including machine learning and artificial intelligence methods, for the valorization of multi-resource geothermal brines.

Novel techniques such as microbial-driven critical raw materials recovery, advanced modelling workflows, and scalable AI-based solutions will be developed to maximize resource recovery while minimizing environmental impact. By integrating resource extraction with CO₂ storage, circular economy principles, and renewable energy production, MiningBrines supports the objectives of the EU Green Deal and the Critical Raw Materials Act. Beyond scientific innovation, the project aims to strengthen Europe’s resilience and strategic autonomy while fostering a new generation of highly skilled professionals capable of driving the sustainable development of geothermal multi-resource systems.

Additional information can be found at https://miningbrines.eu/about-miningbrines/