The mining ecosystem in Bergslagen was the themee for the fourth annual conference Mining@ORU, hosted by Swedish Mining Innovation and the AI Impact Lab at Örebro Univeristy on 3 October.
– “Mining@ORU attracts a broad mix of stakeholders. It becomes powerful when many from different sectors have heard the same thing and can think together. Everyone needs metals and minerals and we need to get a broader commitment in society, says Lotta Sartz, senior project manager Swedish Mining Innovation Bergslagen.
Regional node boosts national innovation capacity
Countless place names ending in hytta today testify that handling ore is one with Bergslagen. But the mines are far from being just history, they are very much part of the future. The actors in the Bergslagen region are vital to a competitive mining industry and has further boosted innovation capacity through a designated regional node in the national innovation programme Swedish Mining Innovation.
– Swedish Mining Innovation Bergslagen has enabled a specialized competence such as AI to reach the national level. At the same time, collaboration at the national level has also been reflected in the region,” says Amy Loutfi, Vice-Rector for AI at Örebro University.
– Swedish Mining Innovation has given us a network in the region with actors from industry and academia. The AI knowledge at Örebro University is important to us – and we can provide input from the business community so that research can be more targeted to the needs of companies. This creates value for both us and the university. There is also potential to do much more than we are doing today, to get a regional stew of new ideas, says Monika Andersson from Zinkgruvan Mining.
New depths with Swedish Metals & Minerals
The capabilities, network and milestones achieved through Swedish Mining Innovation Bergslagen will be continue in a new chapter through Swedish Metals & Minerals, which was presented by program director Maria Swartling. Bergslagen will play a key role in achieving their mission: To ensure a sustainable and resilient metals and minerals supply for the societal transition:
– Bergslagen has extremely successful mines, potential in the ground and knowledge that we must nurture, and Örebro University is an important part of the development,” says Maria Swartling, noting that the historic Bergslagen region has ore, forest and water, all crucial resources even today.
