Discovering innovative safety solutions for the mining and metals industry

EIT RawMaterials and Eramet collaborate to promote occupational safety in the mining and metals industry with new ‘Safety First Innovation Challenge 2022’, offering an opportunity to win a €50k collaboration contract with Eramet.

Eramet has undertaken a new innovation journey in partnership with EIT RawMaterials to launch the ‘Eramet Safety First Innovation Challenge 2022.’ The aim of the challenge is to promote the development of novel solutions for occupational safety in the mining and metals industry.

Applications are now open to join this exciting opportunity but will close 1 September 2022.

Discovering innovative safety solutions

All start-ups and SMEs that offer smart technologies (at least TRL5) to keep employees safe within the mining and metals industries are invited to apply to the challenge.

The challenge is focused on discovering innovative safety solutions for either of the following areas:

• Safety of lone workers in exploration;
• Hazard detection and prevention systems;
• Human-machine interaction in mining and metallurgical processing; and
• Transport and logistics in mining.

However, other solutions that fit the topic of occupational safety will also be considered.

Winning candidate opportunity

A total of ten candidates will be selected to pitch their solution to the jury while a final three candidates will have the opportunity to be coached by Eramet and EIT RawMaterials experts to better adapt their solution to the specific challenges required. The winner will be named at the final round in early 2023.

The winning team of the challenge will be awarded a collaboration contract with Eramet (up to €50,000 in funding to realise a proof of concept), with potential extension to a long-term collaboration.

“We are delighted to continue our collaboration with Eramet Ideas to broaden access to the best and most exciting start-ups and entrepreneurs,” said Michel Vanavermaete, Director of Innovation Hub Central and West at EIT RawMaterials. “Discovering them at the beginning of their journey can only help fast track them to success. The collaboration with an industry leader will give them the competitive edge needed to secure the big vision which is to attain a sustainable supply of mineral resources for Europe.”

Eramet: Putting employee safety first

At Eramet, safety is a major priority. Ensuring the health and safety of its employees and subcontractors and achieving zero accidents is one of five commitments within the group’s corporate social responsibility (CSR) roadmap. Due to the company’s action, accidents in 2021 had decreased by 46% compared to 2020.

“Emerging technologies play a major role in advancing the safety in the mining and metals industry,” commented Marion Lenoir, Head of Open Innovation Department at Eramet. “Improving the safety of workers is an absolute priority and we must explore all possible solutions to achieve our target of zero accidents by 2023. Scalability, adaptability and innovativeness are the key factors of a winning project in this challenge.”

This new challenge highlights Eramet’s vision to grow its partner network and provide access to a rich variety of interesting start-up players for their own strategic purposes. As industry technologies and standards advance, safety provides flexibility, productivity and contributes towards an organisation’s responsibility and obligation to its people and the environment.

Innovators are invited to find out more about the challenge and to apply here: https://openinnovation.eitrawmaterials.eu/opportunities/eramet-challenge/