++++

RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME IN THE RAW MATERIALS SECTOR

( 1982 TO 1985 )

COMMUNICATION FROM THE COMMISSION CONCERNING A MULTIANNUAL RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME OF THE EUROPEAN ECONOMIC COMMUNITY IN THE RAW MATERIALS SECTOR ADOPTED ON 17 MAY 1982 BY THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES

INVITATION TO SUBMIT PROPOSALS FOR PARTICIPATION IN THE SUB-PROGRAMME ON

METALS AND MINERAL SUBSTANCES

THE COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES IS ENTRUSTED WITH THE TASK OF CARRYING OUT A FOUR-YEAR RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME IN THE RAWMATERIALS SECTOR TO END ON 31 DECEMBER 1985 .

THE FUNDAMENTAL OBJECTIVE OF THIS PROGRAMME IS TO REDUCE THE EXTERNAL DEPENDENCE OF THE COMMUNITY FOR ITS SUPPLIES OF RAW MATERIALS BY INCREASING ITS SELFSUPPLY POTENTIAL AND DEVELOPING MATERIALS TECHNOLOGIES .

THIS SECTORAL PROGRAMME INCLUDES FOUR SUBPROGRAMMES : METALS AND MINERAL SUBSTANCES , WOOD AS A RENEWABLE RAW MATERIAL , RECYCLING OF NON-FERROUS METALS , SUBSTITUTION AND MATERIALS TECHNOLOGY ( TECHNICAL CERAMICS ) .

THE SUB-PROGRAMME METALS AND MINERAL SUBSTANCES COVERS FOUR RESEARCH AREAS :

- RESEARCH AREA 1 : EXPLORATION R AND D ;

- RESEARCH AREA 2 : ORE PROCESSING ;

- RESEARCH AREA 3 : MINING TECHNOLOGY ;

- RESEARCH AREA 4 : CLAY BASED MATERIALS FOR THE CERAMICS INDUSTRY .

DETAILS ON THE FIRST THREE RESEARCH AREAS AND THEIR MAIN OBJECTIVES ARE GIVEN IN THE ANNEX . A CALL FOR PROPOSALS ON RESEARCH AREA 4 WILL BE PUBLISHED SEPARATELY .

A TOTAL OF 25 MILLION ECU IS ALLOCATED TO THE WHOLE SUB-PROGRAMME .

THE COMMISSION WISHES TO RECEIVE PROPOSALS FOR PARTICIPATION BY MEANS OF SHARED-COST CONTRACTS ( THE MAXIMUM CONTRIBUTION FROM THE EEC BEING 50 % ) . PROPOSALS MAY BE SUBMITTED BY ANY NATURAL OR LEGAL PERSON , PUBLIC OR PRIVATE BODIES , ESTABLISHED WITHIN THE TERRITORY OF A MEMBER STATE .

REPLIES TO THIS " INVITATION TO SUBMIT PROPOSALS " SHOULD BE SENT TO THE COMMISSION BEFORE 1 SEPTEMBER 1982 .

CONTRACTS WILL COVER A PERIOD ENDING NOT LATER THAN 31 DECEMBER 1985 .

BEFORE SUBMITTING PROPOSALS , APPLICANTS ARE REQUESTED TO CONTACT THE COMMISSION AT THE ADDRESS GIVEN BELOW IN ORDER TO OBTAIN :

( A ) THE FORMS REQUIRED FOR PRESENTATION OF THE PROPOSALS ;

( B ) A DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE TOPICS AND SUB-TOPICS COVERED BY THE FIRST THREE RESEARCH AREAS .

THE PROPOSALS WILL BE TREATED IN CONFIDENCE . THEY WILL BE EXAMINED AND SELECTED FOR FINANCIAL SUPPORT FROM THE COMMUNITY BY THE COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES , WITH THE ASSISTANCE OF AN ADVISORY COMMITTEE FOR PROGRAMME MANAGEMENT .

ADDRESS :

COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES ,

DIRECTORATE-GENERAL XII - SCIENCE , RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT ,

ENVIRONMENT AND RAW-MATERIALS RESEARCH PROGRAMMES ,

200 , RUE DE LA LOI ,

B-1049 BRUSSELS .

TEL . 235 70 62 AND 235 40 70 ,

TELEX 21877 COMEU B .

ANNEX

DETAILED CONTENTS OF THE SUB-PROGRAMME

MAIN OBJECTIVES , LIST OF TOPICS AND SUB-TOPICS RELEVANT TO EACH RESEARCH AREA . CRITERIA TO FOLLOW WHEN PREPARING PROPOSALS

AS A GENERAL RULE THE COMMISSION , IN CONSIDERING THE PROPOSALS , WILL TEND TO FAVOUR THOSE WHICH :

( I ) OFFER SCOPE FOR APPLICABILITY ;

( II ) ARE JOINT VENTURES INVOLVING UNIVERSITIES , INSTITUTES , INDUSTRY OR OTHER SPECIALIZED LABORATORIES ;

( III ) INVOLVE , OR OFFER PROSPECTS FOR THE INVOLVEMENT OF MORE THAN ONE MEMBER STATE .

RESEARCH AREA 1

EXPLORATION R AND D

RESEARCH ON EXPLORATION IS PRIMARILY AIMED AT IMPROVING METHODS SUITABLE FOR THE DISCOVERY OF CONCELED AND DEEP-SEATED DEPOSITS IN EC COUNTRIES . WORK ON THE INMEDIATE NEAR-SHORE AREAS OF THE CONTINENTAL SHELF CAN ALSO BE CONSIDERED .

RESEARCH CAN BE EXTENDED TO TERRITORY OUTSIDE OF THE COMMUNITY IN SO FAR AS THE RESULTING ACTIVITIES CAN LEAD TO THE DISCOVERY OF MINERALS WITHIN THE EC OR PROVIDE THE EC WITH TECHNIQUES PERMITTING THE DISCOVERY OF NEW AND WELL DIVERSIFIED SUPPLIES .

WORK RELATED TO ANY OF THE FOLLOWING RAW MATERIALS MAY BE ELIGIBLE FOR THE SUB-PROGRAMME :

- ALUMINIUM , ANTIMONY , CHROMIUM , COBALT , COPPER , LEAD , MAGNESIUM , MANGANESE , MOLYBDENUM , NICKEL , PHOSPHATE , TIN , TITANIUM , TUNGSTEN , VANADIUM , ZINC ,

- OTHER METALS SUCH AS LITHIUM , NIOBIUM , PLATINUM GROUP ELEMENTS , RARE EARTHS , TANTALUM AND ZIRCONIUM , WHICH ARE SOMETIMES FOUND ASSOCIATED WITH THE METALS MENTIONED ABOVE ,

- IN ADDITION , THOSE NON-METALLIC MINERALS WHICH ARE IN SHORT SUPPLY WITHIN THE COMMUNITY .

IRON , FOSSIL FUELS AND BUILDING MATERIALS ARE EXCLUDED .

RESEARCH TOPICS INCLUDE :

- THE GEOLOGY OF ORE DEPOSITS AND THEIR HOST ROCKS ,

- THE IMPROVEMENT AND DEVELOPMENT OF PROSPECTING METHODS AND TECHNIQUES . ON THIS TOPIC ESPECIALLY , IT SHOULD BE BORNE IN MIND THAT THE ULTIMATE AIM OF THE RESEARCH IS TO DEVELOP METHODS AND TECHNIQUES FOR ROUTINE USE BY EXPLORATION COMPANIES .

PRELIMINARY LITERATURE STUDIES ON PROPOSED RESEARCH SHOULD BY DONE BEFORE SUBMISSION , AND IN GENERAL WILL NOT BE FUNDED .

IN OFF-SHORE RESEARCH , SHIP CHARTERING IS EXCLUDED FROM EC FUNDING .

1.1 . GEOLOGY OF ORE DEPOSITS AND OF THEIR BOST ROCKS

THE OBJECTIVE IS TO IMPROVE OUR KNOWLEDGE OF THE TYPES OF DEPOSITS , THEIR ENVIRONMENT AND HOST ROCKS , AND APPLY THIS KNOWLEDGE TO THE DEFINITION OF ORE CONTROLS AND OF NEW EXPLORATION GUIDES .

RESEARCH WILL INVOLVE BOTH THE TRADITIONAL DISCIPLINES OF GEOLOGY AND SPECIALIZED WORK ON SUCH TOPICS AS ISOTOPE GEOCHEMISTRY AND THE THERMODYNAMICS OF ORE GENESIS . IT WILL BE ENCOURAGED TO THE EXTENT THAT ULTIMATE APPLICABILITY TO PROSPECTING APPEARS PLAUSIBLE . GEOLOGICAL DRILL-HOLES FOR MINERAL EXPLORATION MAY BE CONSIDERED HERE FOR PARTIAL FUNDING .

PROJECTS OF PURELY LOCAL IMPACT , OR RESEARCH AIMED ONLY AT PROVIDING DESCRIPTIONS OF INDIVIDUAL DEPOSITS , ARE EXCLUDED .

1.1.1 . VOLCANOGENIC DEPOSITS .

1.1.2 . STRATIFORM DEPOSITS IN SEDIMENTARY ENVIRONMENTS : METALS , SEDIMENTARY PHOSPHATES .

1.1.3 . DEPOSITS ASSOCIATED WITH IGNEOUS ROCKS : GRANITES , BASIC/ULTRABASIC ROCKS , ALKALINE ROCKS .

1.1.4 . RESIDUAL CONCENTRATIONS .

1.1.5 . MINERALIZATION ON THE CONTINENTAL SHELF : HEAVY SANDS AND IN SITU MINERALIZATION .

1.2 . GEOCHEMICAL METHODS

PRIORITY WILL BE GIVEN TO THE DEVELOPMENT OF METHODS ADAPTED TO PROSPECTING FOR DEEP-SEATED TARGETS . PROJECTS ON TRADITIONALLY USED METHODS SUCH AS SOIL AND STREAM-SEDIMENT SURVEYS WILL BE CONSIDERED ONLY IN SO FAR AS THEY PROPOSE SIGNIFICANTLY NEW DEVELOPMENTS .

1.2.1 . DATA COLLECTION AND INTERPRETATION : SAMPLING , ANALYTICAL TECHNIQUES , DATA PROCESSING AND INTERPRETATION .

1.2.2 . SOIL AND STREAM-SEDIMENT SURVEYS .

1.2.3 . ROCK GEOCHEMISTRY .

1.2.4 . HYDROGEOCHEMISTRY .

1.2.5 . SOIL GAS GEOCHEMISTRY .

1.2.6 . BIOGEOCHEMISTRY .

1.3 . GEOPHYSICAL METHODS

GEOPHYSICAL METHODS ARE TO BE IMPROVED AND DEVELOPED TO LOOK FOR DEEP-SEATED AND BURIED ORE DEPOSITS . COMMON TO ALL METHODS APPLICABLE IN MINERAL EXPLORATION ARE THE NEEDS :

- TO DEVELOP NEW EXPLORATION CONCEPTS ESPECIALLY IN CORRELATION WITH GEOCHEMICAL METHODS , FOR EXAMPLE ,

- TO IMPROVE THE SENSITIVITY OF INSTRUMENTS ,

- TO ADAPT SOPHISTICATED DATA ACQUISITION AND INTERPRETATION TECHNIQUES KNOWN FROM OIL PROSPECTING TO THE GENERALLY MORE DIFFICULT AND MORE COMPLEX GEOLOGICAL SITUATION IN ORE PROSPECTING ,

- FOR FURTHER MEASUREMENTS OF PHYSICAL PARAMETERS OF MINERALS AND ORE-BEARING ROCKS , IN ORDER TO IMPROVE MODELS AND TO IMPROVE UNDERSTANDING OF OBSERVED ANOMALY PATTERNS OBTAINED BY AIRBORNE , GROUND AND IN-HOLE SURVEYS .

1.3.1 . AIRBORNE METHODS .

1.3.2 . GROUND METHODS .

1.3.3 . GEOPHYSICAL BOREHOLE LOGGING .

1.3.4 . OFFSHORE METHODS .

1.4 . REMOTE SENSING

1.5 . IMPROVEMENTS OF DRILLING TECHNIQUES IN MINERAL EXPLORATION

IN ORDER TO LOWER DRILLING COSTS , IMPROVE RECOVERY OF CORE OR CUTTINGS AND GAIN OPTIMUM INFORMATION FROM DRILL-HOLES .

1.6 . STATISTICS AND GEOSTATISTICS APPLIED TO EXPLORATION DATA

RESEARCH AREA 2

ORE PROCESSING

THIS RESEARCH AREA COVERS ALL THE OPERATIONS ASSOCIATED WITH ORE PROCESSING AND METAL RECOVERY FROM CRUSHING AND GRINDING THROUGH PHYSICAL AND CHEMICAL BENEFICIATION TO METAL RECOVERY .

PARTICULAR EMPHASIS IS LAID ON THE PROCESSING OF INDIGENOUS EC LOW GRADE OR COMPLEX ORES , SLAGS AND RESIDUES AND ON RESEARCH TO AID THE TREATMENT OF THE VERY FINELY GROUND ORES AND SLIMES WHICH ARE BEING ENCOUNTERED IN INCREASING QUANTITIES .

PROJECT PROPOSALS ON IMPROVEMENTS TO ORE PROCESSING IN EXISTING PLANTS AND ON THE TREATMENT OF POTENTIAL NEW SOURCES WILL BE CONSIDERED WHERE THESE CONTAIN ELEMENTS OF NOVELTY OR RESEARCH ; HOWEVER , PROJECTS DEALING ONLY WITH ROUTINE TESTWORK WILL BE EXCLUDED . RESEARCH PROPOSALS SHOULD ALSO BE JUSTIFIABLE ON THE GROUNDS OF AVAILABLE RESERVES OF THE ORES TO BE STUDIED .

IT SHOULD BE NOTED THAT THE SPECIFIC RESEARCH TOPICS MENTIONED UNDER 2.1 ALSO APPLY TO TOPICS 2.2 TO 2.6 .

2.1 . COMPLEX LEAD , ZINC AND COPPER ORES

IN PARTICULAR , MIXED SULPHIDE ORES WHICH CAUSE DIFFICULTIES IN PROCESSING DUE TO THE FINELY DISSEMINATED MINERAL SPECIES AND HIGH PYRITE CONTENT .

2.1.1 . CRUSHING AND GRINDING .

2.1.2 . FLOTATION AND OTHER PHYSICAL TREATMENT METHODS .

2.1.3 . IN SITU LEACHING .

2.1.4 . IMPROVEMENTS IN METAL WINNING PROCESSES .

2.2 . OTHER COMPLEX AND OXIDISED ORES

IN PARTICULAR , THOSE CONTAINING NICKEL , TIN , TUNGSTEN AND TITANIUM .

2.3 . ALUMINIUM FROM LOW-GRADE SOURCES

2.4 . CHROMIUM FROM LOW-GRADE SOURCES

2.5 . PHOSPHATES ; BENEFICIATION AND TREATMENT OF LOW-GRADE EC PHOSPHATES AND PHOSPHATES FROM OUTSIDE SOURCES OTHER THAN MOROCCO AND FLORIDA .

2.6 . SLAGS AND RESIDUES FROM METALLURGICAL PROCESSING .

2.7 . MODELLING AND CONTROL IN MINERAL PROCESSING , IN ORDER TO PREDICT THE BEHAVIOUR OF ORES IN PHYSICAL AND PHYSICO-CHEMICAL PROCESSING AND TO DEVELOP AUTOMATIC CONTROL FOR THESE PROCESSING STEPS .

2.8 . IMPROVED MINERALOGICAL ANALYSIS

IN PARTICULAR , THE AUTOMATION AND SPEEDING UP OF ROUTINE ANALYSES .

RESEARCH AREA 3

MINING TECHNOLOGY

THE AIM OF THE WORK CARRIED OUT IN THIS RESEARCH AREA WILL BE TO IMPROVE THE ECONOMIC VIABILITY OF MINES ON COMMUNITY TERRITORY THROUGH IMPROVED SUPPORTING TECHNIQUES , MINING METHODS AND MACHINERY .

COOPERATION BETWEEN MINING COMPANIES , SPECIALIZED RESEARCH UNITS AND UNIVERSITIES WILL BE PARTICULARLY WELCOME .

3.1 . PROBLEMS ASSOCIATED WITH DEPTH

IN PARTICULAR ROCK MECHANICS , SUPPORTING , HEAT AND WATER FLOW , DRILLING , TUNNELLING AND RAISE BORING .

3.2 . MARGINALLY ECONOMIC DEPOSITS

IN PARTICULAR , HIGH-GRADE , LOW TONNAGE DEPOSITS .

3.3 . GEOSTATISTICS AND MODELLING IN MINERAL EXPLOITATION

IN PARTICULAR , MODELLING OF DEPOSITS AND PRODUCTION STEPS IN ORDER TO SELECT APPROPRIATE MINING STRATEGIES . ++++

RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME IN THE RAW MATERIALS SECTOR

( 1982 TO 1985 )

COMMUNICATION FROM THE COMMISSION CONCERNING A MULTIANNUAL RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME OF THE EUROPEAN ECONOMIC COMMUNITY IN THE RAW MATERIALS SECTOR ADOPTED ON 17 MAY 1982 BY THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES

INVITATION TO SUBMIT PROPOSALS FOR PARTICIPATION IN THE SUB-PROGRAMME ON

METALS AND MINERAL SUBSTANCES

THE COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES IS ENTRUSTED WITH THE TASK OF CARRYING OUT A FOUR-YEAR RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME IN THE RAWMATERIALS SECTOR TO END ON 31 DECEMBER 1985 .

THE FUNDAMENTAL OBJECTIVE OF THIS PROGRAMME IS TO REDUCE THE EXTERNAL DEPENDENCE OF THE COMMUNITY FOR ITS SUPPLIES OF RAW MATERIALS BY INCREASING ITS SELFSUPPLY POTENTIAL AND DEVELOPING MATERIALS TECHNOLOGIES .

THIS SECTORAL PROGRAMME INCLUDES FOUR SUB-PROGRAMMES : METALS AND MINERAL SUBSTANCES , WOOD AS A RENEWABLE RAW MATERIAL , CYCLING OF NON-FERROUS METALS , SUBSTITUTION AND MATERIALS TECHNOLOGY ( TECHNICAL CERAMICS ) .

THE SUB-PROGRAMME METALS AND MINERAL SUBSTANCES COVERS FOUR RESEARCH AREAS :

- RESEARCH AREA 1 : EXPLORATION R AND D ;

- RESEARCH AREA 2 : ORE PROCESSING ;

- RESEARCH AREA 3 : MINING TECHNOLOGY ;

- RESEARCH AREA 4 : CLAY BASED MATERIALS FOR THE CERAMICS INDUSTRY .

DETAILS ON THE FIRST THREE RESEARCH AREAS AND THEIR MAIN OBJECTIVES ARE GIVEN IN THE ANNEX . A CALL FOR PROPOSALS ON RESEARCH AREA 4 WILL BE PUBLISHED SEPARATELY .

A TOTAL OF 25 MILLION ECU IS ALLOCATED TO THE WHOLE SUB-PROGRAMME .

THE COMMISSION WISHES TO RECEIVE PROPOSALS FOR PARTICIPATION BY MEANS OF SHARED-COST CONTRACTS ( THE MAXIMUM CONTRIBUTION FROM THE EEC BEING 50 % ) . PROPOSALS MAY BE SUBMITTED BY ANY NATURAL OR LEGAL PERSON , PUBLIC OR PRIVATE BODIES , ESTABLISHED WITHIN THE TERRITORY OF A MEMBER STATE .

REPLIES TO THIS " INVITATION TO SUBMIT PROPOSALS " SHOULD BE SENT TO THE COMMISSION BEFORE 1 SEPTEMBER 1982 .

CONTRACTS WILL COVER A PERIOD ENDING NOT LATER THAN 31 DECEMBER 1985 .

BEFORE SUBMITTING PROPOSALS , APPLICANTS ARE REQUESTED TO CONTACT THE COMMISSION AT THE ADDRESS GIVEN BELOW IN ORDER TO OBTAIN :

( A ) THE FORMS REQUIRED FOR PRESENTATION OF THE PROPOSALS ;

( B ) A DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE TOPICS AND SUB-TOPICS COVERED BY THE FIRST THREE RESEARCH AREAS .

THE PROPOSALS WILL BE TREATED IN CONFIDENCE . THEY WILL BE EXAMINED AND SELECTED FOR FINANCIAL SUPPORT FROM THE COMMUNITY BY THE COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES , WITH THE ASSISTANCE OF AN ADVISORY COMMITTEE FOR PROGRAMME MANAGEMENT .

ADDRESS :

COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES ,

DIRECTORATE-GENERAL XII - SCIENCE , RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT ,

ENVIRONMENT AND RAW-MATERIALS RESEARCH PROGRAMMES ,

200 , RUE DE LA LOI ,

B-1049 BRUSSELS .

TEL . 235 70 62 AND 235 40 70 ,

TELEX 21877 COMEU B .

ANNEX

DETAILED CONTENTS OF THE SUB-PROGRAMME

MAIN OBJECTIVES . LIST OF TOPICS AND SUB-TOPICS RELEVANT TO EACH RESEARCH AREA . CRITERIA TO FOLLOW WHEN PREPARING PROPOSALS

AS A GENERAL RULE THE COMMISSION , IN CONSIDERING THE PROPOSALS , WILL TEND TO FAVOUR THOSE WHICH :

( I ) OFFER SCOPE FOR APPLICABILITY ;

( II ) ARE JOINT VENTURES INVOLVING UNIVERSITIES , INSTITUTES , INDUSTRY OR OTHER SPECIALIZED LABORATORIES ;

( III ) INVOLVE , OR OFFER PROSPECTS FOR THE INVOLVEMENT OF MORE THAN ONE MEMBER STATE .

RESEARCH AREA 1

EXPLORATION R AND D

RESEARCH ON EXPLORATION IS PRIMARILY AIMED AT IMPROVING METHODS SUITABLE FOR THE DISCOVERY OF CONCEALED AND DEEP-SEATED DEPOSITS IN EC COUNTRIES . WORK ON THE INMEDIATE NEAR-SHORE AREAS OF THE CONTINENTAL SHELF CAN ALSO BE CONSIDERED .

RESEARCH CAN BE EXTENDED TO TERRITORY OUTSIDE OF THE COMMUNITY IN SO FAR AS THE RESULTING ACTIVITIES CAN LEAD TO THE DISCOVERY OF MINERALS WITHIN THE EC OR PROVIDE THE EC WITH TECHNIQUES PERMITTING THE DISCOVERY OF NEW AND WELL DIVERSIFIED SUPPLIES .

WORK RELATED TO ANY OF THE FOLLOWING RAW MATERIALS MAY BE ELIGIBLE FOR THE SUB-PROGRAMME :

- ALUMINIUM , ANTIMONY , CHROMIUM , COBALT , COPPER , LEAD , MAGNESIUM , MANGANESE , MOLYBDENUM , NICKEL , PHOSPHATE , TIN , TITANIUM , TUNGSTEN , VANADIUM , ZINC ,

- OTHER METALS SUCH AS LITHIUM , NIOBIUM , PLATINUM GROUP ELEMENTS , RARE EARTHS , TANTALUM AND ZIRCONIUM , WHICH ARE SOMETIMES FOUND ASSOCIATED WITH THE METALS MENTIONED ABOVE ,

- IN ADDITION , THOSE NON-METALLIC MINERALS WHICH ARE IN SHORT SUPPLY WITHIN THE COMMUNITY .

IRON , FOSSIL FUELS AND BUILDING MATERIALS ARE EXCLUDED .

RESEARCH TOPICS INCLUDE :

- THE GEOLOGY OF ORE DEPOSITS AND THEIR HOST ROCKS ,

- THE IMPROVEMENT AND DEVELOPMENT OF PROSPECTING METHODS AND TECHNIQUES . ON THIS TOPIC ESPECIALLY , IT SHOULD BE BORNE IN MIND THAT THE ULTIMATE AIM OF THE RESEARCH IS TO DEVELOP METHODS AND TECHNIQUES FOR ROUTINE USE BY EXPLORATION COMPANIES .

PRELIMINARY LITERATURE STUDIES ON PROPOSED RESEARCH SHOULD BE DONE BEFORE SUBMISSION , AND IN GENERAL WILL NOT BE FUNDED .

IN OFF-SHORE RESEARCH , SHIP CHARTERING IS EXCLUDED FROM EC FUNDING .

1.1 . GEOLOGY OF ORE DEPOSITS AND OF THEIR HOST ROCKS

THE OBJECTIVE IS TO IMPROVE OUR KNOWLEDGE OF THE TYPES OF DEPOSITS , THEIR ENVIRONMENT AND HOST ROCKS , AND APPLY THIS KNOWLEDGE TO THE DEFINITION OF ORE CONTROLS AND OF NEW EXPLORATION GUIDES .

RESEARCH WILL INVOLVE BOTH THE TRADITIONAL DISCIPLINES OF GEOLOGY AND SPECIALIZED WORK ON SUCH TOPICS AS ISOTOPE GEOCHEMISTRY AND THE THERMODYNAMICS OF ORE GENESIS . IT WILL BE ENCOURAGED TO THE EXTENT THAT ULTIMATE APPLICABILITY TO PROSPECTING APPEARS PLAUSIBLE . GEOLOGICAL DRILL-HOLES FOR MINERAL EXPLORATION MAY BE CONSIDERED HERE FOR PARTIAL FUNDING .

PROJECTS OF PURELY LOCAL IMPACT , OR RESEARCH AIMED ONLY AT PROVIDING DESCRIPTIONS OF INDIVIDUAL DEPOSITS , ARE EXCLUDED .

1.1.1 . VOLCANOGENIC DEPOSITS .

1.1.2 . STRATIFORM DEPOSITS IN SEDIMENTARY ENVIRONMENTS : METALS , SEDIMENTARY PHOSPHATES .

1.1.3 . DEPOSITS ASSOCIATED WITH IGNEOUS ROCKS : GRANITES , BASIC/ULTRABASIC ROCKS , ALKALINE ROCKS .

1.1.4 . RESIDUAL CONCENTRATIONS .

1.1.5 . MINERALIZATION ON THE CONTINENTAL SHELF : HEAVY SANDS AND IN SITU MINERALIZATION .

1.2 . GEOCHEMICAL METHODS

PRIORITY WILL BE GIVEN TO THE DEVELOPMENT OF METHODS ADAPTED TO PROSPECTING FOR DEEP-SEATED TARGETS . PROJECTS ON TRADITIONALLY USED METHODS SUCH AS SOIL AND STREAM-SEDIMENT SURVEYS WILL BE CONSIDERED ONLY IN SO FAR AS THEY PROPOSE SIGNIFICANTLY NEW DEVELOPMENTS .

1.2.1 . DATA COLLECTION AND INTERPRETATION : SAMPLING , ANALYTICAL TECHNIQUES , DATA PROCESSING AND INTERPRETATION .

1.2.2 . SOIL AND STREAM-SEDIMENT SURVEYS .

1.2.3 . ROCK GEOCHEMISTRY .

1.2.4 . HYDROGEOCHEMISTRY .

1.2.5 . SOIL GAS GEOCHEMISTRY .

1.2.6 . BIOGEOCHEMISTRY .

1.3 . GEOPHYSICAL METHODS

GEOPHYSICAL METHODS ARE TO BE IMPROVED AND DEVELOPED TO LOOK FOR DEEP-SEATED AND BURIED ORE DEPOSITS . COMMON TO ALL METHODS APPLICABLE IN MINERAL EXPLORATION ARE THE NEEDS :

- TO DEVELOP NEW EXPLORATION CONCEPTS ESPECIALLY IN CORRELATION WITH GEOCHEMICAL METHODS , FOR EXAMPLE ,

- TO IMPROVE THE SENSITIVITY OF INSTRUMENTS ,

- TO ADAPT SOPHISTICATED DATA ACQUISITION AND INTERPRETATION TECHNIQUES KNOWN FROM OIL PROSPECTING TO THE GENERALLY MORE DIFFICULT AND MORE COMPLEX GEOLOGICAL SITUATION IN ORE PROSPECTING ,

- FOR FURTHER MEASUREMENTS OF PHYSICAL PARAMETERS OF MINERALS AND ORE-BEARING ROCKS , IN ORDER TO IMPROVE MODELS AND TO IMPROVE UNDERSTANDING OF OBSERVED ANOMALY PATTERNS OBTAINED BY AIRBORNE , GROUND AND IN-HOLE SURVEYS .

1.3.1 . AIRBORNE METHODS .

1.3.2 . GROUND METHODS .

1.3.3 . GEOPHYSICAL BOREHOLE LOGGING .

1.3.4 . OFFSHORE METHODS .

1.4 . REMOTE SENSING

1.5 . IMPROVEMENTS OF DRILLING TECHNIQUES IN MINERAL EXPLORATION

IN ORDER TO LOWER DRILLING COSTS , IMPROVE RECOVERY OF CORE OR CUTTINGS AND GAIN OPTIMUM INFORMATION FROM DRILL-HOLES .

1.6 . STATISTICS AND GEOSTATISTICS APPLIED TO EXPLORATION DATA

RESEARCH AREA 2

ORE PROCESSING

THIS RESEARCH AREA COVERS ALL THE OPERATIONS ASSOCIATED WITH ORE PROCESSING AND METAL RECOVERY FROM CRUSHING AND GRINDING THROUGH PHYSICAL AND CHEMICAL BENEFICIATION TO METAL RECOVERY .

PARTICULAR EMPHASIS IS LAID ON THE PROCESSING OF INDIGENOUS EC LOW GRADE OR COMPLEX ORES , SLAGS AND RESIDUES AND ON RESEARCH TO AID THE TREATMENT OF THE VERY FINELY GROUND ORES AND SLIMES WHICH ARE BEING ENCOUNTERED IN INCREASING QUANTITIES .

PROJECT PROPOSALS ON IMPROVEMENTS TO ORE PROCESSING IN EXISTING PLANTS AND ON THE TREATMENT OF POTENTIAL NEW SOURCES WILL BE CONSIDERED WHERE THESE CONTAIN ELEMENTS OF NOVELTY OR RESEARCH ; HOWEVER , PROJECTS DEALING ONLY WITH ROUTINE TESTWORK WILL BE EXCLUDED . RESEARCH PROPOSALS SHOULD ALSO BE JUSTIFIABLE ON THE GROUNDS OF AVAILABLE RESERVES OF THE ORES TO BE STUDIED .

IT SHOULD BE NOTED THAT THE SPECIFIC RESEARCH TOPICS MENTIONED UNDER 2.1 ALSO APPLY TO TOPICS 2.2 TO 2.6 .

2.1 COMPLEX LEAD , ZINC AND COPPER ORES

IN PARTICULAR , MIXED SULPHIDE ORES WHICH CAUSE DIFFICULTIES IN PROCESSING DUE TO THE FINELY DISSEMINATED MINERAL SPECIES AND HIGH PYRITE CONTENT .

2.1.1 . CRUSHING AND GRINDING .

2.1.2 . FLOTATION AND OTHER PHYSICAL TREATMENT METHODS .

2.1.3 . IN SITU LEACHING .

2.1.4 . IMPROVEMENTS IN METAL WINNING PROCESSES .

2.2 . OTHER COMPLEX AND OXIDISED ORES

IN PARTICULAR , THOSE CONTAINING NICKEL , TIN , TUNGSTEN AND TITANIUM .

2.3 . ALUMINIUM FROM LOW-GRADE SOURCES

2.4 . CHROMIUM FROM LOW-GRADE SOURCES

2.5 . PHOSPHATES ; BENEFICIATION AND TREATMENT OF LOW-GRADE EC PHOSPHATES AND PHOSPHATES FROM OUTSIDE SOURCES OTHER THAN MOROCCO AND FLORIDA .

2.6 . SLAGS AND RESIDUES FROM METALLURGICAL PROCESSING .

2.7 . MODELLING AND CONTROL IN MINERAL PROCESSING , IN ORDER TO PREDICT THE BEHAVIOUR OF ORES IN PHYSICAL AND PHYSICO-CHEMICAL PROCESSING AND TO DEVELOP AUTOMATIC CONTROL FOR THESE PROCESSING STEPS .

2.8 . IMPROVED MINERALOGICAL ANALYSIS

IN PARTICULAR , THE AUTOMATION AND SPEEDING UP OF ROUTINE ANALYSES .

RESEARCH AREA 3

MINING TECHNOLOGY

THE AIM OF THE WORK CARRIED OUT IN THIS RESEARCH AREA WILL BE TO IMPROVE THE ECONOMIC VIABILITY OF MINES ON COMMUNITY TERRITORY THROUGH IMPROVED SUPPORTING TECHNIQUES , MINING METHODS AND MACHINERY .

COOPERATION BETWEEN MINING COMPANIES , SPECIALIZED RESEARCH UNITS AND UNIVERSITIES WILL BE PARTICULARLY WELCOME .

3.1 . PROBLEMS ASSOCIATED WITH DEPTH

IN PARTICULAR ROCK MECHANICS , SUPPORTING , HEAT AND WATER FLOW , DRILLING , TUNNELLING AND RAISE BORING .

3.2 . MARGINALLY ECONOMIC DEPOSITS

IN PARTICULAR , HIGH-GRADE , LOW TONNAGE DEPOSITS .

3.3 . GEOSTATISTICS AND MODELLING IN MINERAL EXPLOITATION

IN PARTICULAR , MODELLING OF DEPOSITS AND PRODUCTION STEPS IN ORDER TO SELECT APPROPRIATE MINING STRATEGIES .

STATE AIDS

( ARTICLES 92 TO 94 OF THE TREATY ESTABLISHING THE EUROPEAN ECONOMIC COMMUNITY )

NOTICE GIVEN IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE FIRST SUBPARAGRAPH OF ARTICLE 93 ( 2 ) OF THE TREATY TO INTERESTED PARTIES OTHER THAN MEMBER STATES REGARDING A SCHEME OF ASSISTANCE FOR THE PRESS AND NEWSPRINT PRODUCTION IN ITALY

AS REQUIRED BY THE PROVISION OF ARTICLE 93 REFERRED TO ABOVE , THE COMMISSION HEREBY GIVES NOTICE TO ALL INTERESTED PARTIES OTHER THAN MEMBER STATES TO SUBMIT THEIR COMMENTS ON THIS SCHEME WITHIN FOUR WEEKS FROM THE DATE OF THIS NOTICE TO :

COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES ,

RUE DE LA LOI 200 ,

1049 BRUSSELS .

THE COMMISSION CONSIDERS THAT THE OBLIGATION CONCERNING PRIOR NOTIFICATION IN ARTICLE 93 ( 3 ) OF THE EEC TREATY WAS NOT FULFILLED WHEN THIS AID WAS INTRODUCED UNDER ACT NO 416 OF 5 AUGUST 1981 .

AT PRESENT THE COMMISSION HAS NO INFORMATION GIVING REASON TO BELIEVE THAT THIS ASSISTANCE , DESIGNED TO BENEFIT THE NEWSPRINT PRODUCTION IN PARTICULAR , MAY BE CONSIDERED COMPATIBLE WITH THE COMMON MARKET .

ANY RECIPIENTS OF ASSISTANCE UNDER THE ABOVE SCHEME ARE WARNED THAT THEY COULD BE REQUIRED TO PAY IT BACK IF THE COMMISSION SHOULD FINALLY DECIDE THAT THIS AID MAY NOT BE CONSIDERED COMPATIBLE WITH THE COMMON MARKET .

COMMISSION COMMUNICATION UNDER ARTICLE 115 OF THE EEC TREATY

THE COMMISSION , BY DECISION OF 27 MAY 1982 UNDER ARTICLE 115 OF THE EEC TREATY , HAS REJECTED AN APPLICATION BY THE ITALIAN REPUBLIC FOR AUTHORIZATION NOT TO APPLY COMMUNITY TREATMENT TO IMPORTS OF PRODUCTS FALLING WITHIN SUBHEADING 50.09 A OF THE COMMON CUSTOMS TARIFF , ORIGINATING IN THE PEOPLE'S REPUBLIC OF CHINA AND IN FREE CIRCULATION IN THE OTHER MEMBER STATES .