CRMsDataSpace was presented at the International Mine Water Association (IMWA) 2026 Conference – Sustainability & Efficiency, held from 5 to 10 July 2026 in Jeongseon, South Korea. The event brought together researchers, industry representatives and practitioners from around the world to discuss the latest developments in mine water, mine waste, environmental management and post-mining challenges.
As part of the conference programme, Hernan Flores, from Technische Hochschule Georg Agricola (THGA), presented the paper “Revalorization of Coal Waste Facilities: The CRMsDataSpace EU Approach” during the session “Circular Economy in Mine Waste and Water Management”, chaired by Prof. Carmen Mihaela Neculita.
The presentation introduced the project’s approach to supporting the identification and assessment of the critical raw material potential of former coal waste facilities through the development of a Common European Data Space for Critical Raw Materials.
The contribution highlighted the importance of harmonised and interoperable information to improve the accessibility and use of data related to extractive waste facilities. It also showcased the project’s demonstration sites in Germany, Poland, Spain and Romania, illustrating how digital solutions can support resource recovery, circular economy objectives and sustainable post-mining management across Europe.
In addition to the conference presentation, the paper was published in the official IMWA 2026 Conference Proceedings, further contributing to the dissemination of the project’s research and technical developments.
Participation in international events such as IMWA 2026 provides an important opportunity to exchange knowledge, strengthen collaboration with the global research community and showcase how CRMsDataSpace is supporting Europe’s transition towards a more sustainable, resilient and data-driven approach to critical raw materials management.
