Mining the technosphere for efficient use of resources and improving state of the environment

The aim of this project is to implement a problem-driven, science-deep research which is focused on development of new solutions in the field of enhanced landfill mining of waste, especially extractive waste, accumulated in numerous locations across the EU, and to unlock the potential which this waste has as a source of raw materials. In the same time, these solutions are also intended to improve the state of the environment while simultaneously enabling the rehabilitation of waste disposal sites. Disposed waste, created as a result of human activities, has been already recognized as deposits of secondary raw materials in the anthropogenic environmental compartment; called the technosphere. Mining the technosphere to valorise and exploit these resources shall be carried out by similar mining practices as in the processes of mining of the geological ore deposits in the lithosphere. In both cases, the principles of geological sciences are involved in all phases: (i) exploration, (ii) exploitation, (iii) extraction, (iv) development of sustainable low-carbon products, (v) life-cycle and techno-economic analysis (including legal aspects), and (vi) environmental risk analysis related to mitigation of potential negative impacts in all phases. Based on laboratory and field research, the essential key phases for a feasible technosphere mining will be developed, trying to address all relevant dimensions in a systematic way. Validation of the developed solutions will be made by demonstrating the enhanced landfill mining practice for the first time in Slovenia in the case of two selected landfills, the metallurgical landfill Vrhe (steel and foundry slags, foundry sand and metallurgical dusts will be exploited) and the municipal landfill Gajke (residual plastic and organic/mineral part will be exploited). It will be proved that the mining process can be performed safely, efficiently and that it provides quality raw materials and significantly lower environmental footprint compared to conventional lithosphere mining. Extraction methods will be studied and validated on steel slag (metals), metallurgical dust (extraction of Zn) and plastics (pyrolysis oil, char, and gas). Selected materials from landfill exploitation and extraction processes will be recycled in low-carbon construction products. Due to the global problem with sewage sludge, this waste will also be included in the project; at the laboratory level, research will be carried out on how to extract nutrients N-P-K from sludge in a technologically and environmentally innovative, efficient way, and the residues of sludge after extraction will be recycled in construction. Life cycle calculations and economic calculations will be performed at all mining stages. In order to mitigate the NIMBY effect, a method will be developed to involve civil society and other stakeholders. Within the project, new fundamental knowledge and experience will be acquired on enhanced landfill mining the technosphere, essential for further transfer and replication of this service.