MINE-THE-GAP: Satellite Earth Observation and AI to Map Global Mining Footprints and Support CRM Transparency

The global energy transition has catalyzed an unprecedented demand for Critical Raw Materials (CRMs), driving a rapid expansion of extractive activities. However, the environmental governance of this expansion is currently hindered by a transparency gap: essential geoinformation, including the precise geographical boundaries of mining operations, the volume of extractive waste generated, and the specific minerals extracted, remains fragmented or non-existent at a global scale. This lack of granular data prevents accurate assessments, for instance, of landscape degradation, land-use changes, and on local communities.

The ERC Consolidator Grant MINE-THE-GAP addresses these challenges by developing a scalable, automated methodology to monitor the environmental impacts of the global mining sector. By integrating multi-source satellite imagery (including Sentinel-1 and Sentinel-2) with advanced machine learning workflows, the project seeks to move beyond site-specific studies toward a systemic, planetary-scale evaluation of mining footprints. This approach is particularly relevant for identifying and characterizing extractive waste, which represents both environmental liabilities and potential secondary sources for CRM recovery.

This contribution discusses the research agenda of MINE-THE-GAP to overcome data scarcity by providing high-resolution, mine-level environmental metrics. Such metrics are essential for supporting decision-making across the CRM value chain, from primary extraction to the monitoring of extractive waste deposits. By establishing a robust geospatial baseline, the project provides the empirical foundation needed to enforce international sustainability regulations. Furthermore, it demonstrates how AI-driven remote sensing can foster a more transparent mining sector by enabling independent verification of corporate and state reporting, ultimately ensuring that the surge in CRM production does not come at a hidden environmental cost.