Project: tArgeting eU cRitical mEtals (Sb, W) and predictibility of Sb-As-Hg envirOnmentaL issuEs

Acronym	AUREOLE (Reference Number: ERA-MIN-2018_82)
Project Topic	Antimony (Sb), a critical metal for Europe strategic for the European (EU) aircraft industry & battery manufacturing plants, is widely used in industrial operations. Its most promising use may be for rechargeable Li- & Na-ion batteries. The project is based on disruptive concepts: i) new 3D large-scale metallogenic model integrating deep-seated processes to determine the spatial distribution of ore deposits; ii) the use of mineral prospectivity data weighted by surface data to determine the probability of environmental risk over large areas. Despite a high EU potential, the knowledge on Sb remains poorly constrained. EU remains under the threat of the Chinese supply. In parallel, metalloids (Sb, As, Hg) of geogenic origin are recognised as a global threat for human health. Then, a large-scale identification of these areas should be a priority. In this 3 year project, it will produce i) a new 3D metallogenic model that will contribute to the understanding of the mineralising processes; ii) a new understanding of surface processes that control the mobilisation & transport of metalloids; iii) a new large-scale mineral prospectivity and iv) a new large-scale environmental risk assessment by weighting mineral prospectivity with earth surface properties. The consortium of 4 leading research entities from 3 EU countries in the field of ore genesis and environmental risk assessment is completed by the Antea Group, whose core business is the analysis and quantification of environmental risk. The expected outcomes will result in high impact deliverables devoted to the targeting of new Sb deposits and a new large-scale environmental assessment maps for decision-making dealing with human health. Long term expected impacts would be an increase of EU Sb resources & sustainable supply. The project will provide new results to the SCRREEN, IMP@CT, FRAME projects and will interact with consortiums about electromobility such as the EU Lithium Institute and the EU Battery Alliance.
Network	ERA-MIN 2
Call	ERA-MIN Joint Call 2018

Project partner

Number	Name	Role	Country
1	Bureau de Recherches Géologiques et Minières	Coordinator	France
2	Institut des Sciences de la Terre d'Orléans	Partner	France
3	University of Castilla-La Mancha	Partner	Spain
4	University of Porto - FCUP	Partner	Portugal
5	Antea Group	Partner	France