Maelezo

HORIZON-CL4-2026-01-MAT-PROD-11

Expected Outcomes

Projects under this topic are expected to deliver results that strengthen Europe’s knowledge and capacity in raw materials exploration, with a particular focus on critical raw materials (CRMs). Expected outcomes include:

• Enhanced information on EU raw materials: Improved understanding of occurrences, deposits, and resource potential, supporting the implementation of the National Exploration Programme under Article 19 of the Critical Raw Materials Regulation (CRMA).
• Expanded knowledge base: Identification of new areas for exploration and improved resource estimation to strengthen the EU’s raw materials security.
• Accelerated domestic exploration projects: Development of EU-based exploration initiatives, particularly by junior mining and SME stakeholders, leveraging innovative technologies to foster new business opportunities.
• Innovative exploration methods: Application of advanced data acquisition, processing, and mineral system analysis to locate and characterize critical raw materials deposits.
• Strengthened geological survey capabilities: Provision of technologies, methodologies, and data that enhance the skills and capacity of EU Geological Surveys to implement national exploration strategies effectively.

Scope

Proposals should focus on the development and validation of advanced geological modelling and mineral system analyses, integrating multi-source data, including geological, geophysical, and geochemical datasets from both ground-based and remote-sensing techniques. High-resolution 3D models of mineral deposits are expected to be developed using a combination of innovative AI/ML methods and conventional approaches to accurately predict the locations of critical raw materials and their carrier minerals.

Key research and innovation areas include:

• Geological understanding: Characterization, mapping, and modelling of known deposits to identify new resources and improve understanding of mineral systems containing critical raw materials.
• Data collection and modelling: Acquisition of new geological, geophysical, and geochemical data; development of ore genetic models and mineral system analyses to identify underexplored areas.
• Mineral prospectivity modelling: Advancing methods to assess the likelihood of critical raw materials occurrence using integrated datasets.
• Integration of multi-source datasets: Combining newly acquired and existing datasets to create comprehensive exploration models.

Proposals are encouraged to provide a business case and exploitation strategy, highlighting the potential for SMEs and junior exploration companies to translate research outcomes into viable EU-based projects. Projects contributing to the National Exploration Programmes under Article 19 of the CRMA are particularly encouraged.