Twelve years of impact through Swedish Mining Innovation – and a shared look ahead: what comes next for the mining and minerals sector?
On 14–15 May, representatives from across the Swedish mining and minerals ecosystem gathered in Luleå for the final edition of Swedish Mining Research & Innovation Days. The event marked both the conclusion of 12 successful years of Swedish Mining Innovation and the launchpad for a new chapter: the national innovation programme Swedish Metals & Minerals.
Across two days, the event offered reflection, foresight, and dialogue – ranging from lunar drilling and AI to moss-based remediation and social innovation.
Day 1 – From moss to AI
The conference opened with reflections from key programme voices:
“One of our greatest achievements is the joint roadmap that brought all stakeholders together – academia, industry, SMEs and government.”
– Jenny Greberg, LKAB
“The results speak for themselves.”
– Pär Weihed, Luleå University of Technology
The day focused on innovation capacity and scaling – featuring contributions from startups, international leaders and national initiatives. Highlights included:
- Vale’s strategy for embedding innovation into business
- Boreal Orchards’ work with 500-million-year-old moss to restore mining landscapes
- A future-focused keynote from Örebro University on AI and “Transformative Intelligence”
The day also featured the Bergforsk Award ceremony, honouring two excellent young researchers:
🏅 Nadja Lundberg – Best Master Thesis
🏅 Carlota Rodriguez San Miguel – Best Licentiate Thesis
Day 2 – From the moon to the mine
The second day pushed boundaries – conceptually and literally. Lunar exploration, deep mining and future systems were front and centre:
“In space, everything tries to kill you – so we’ve learned to build systems that work for decades.”
– René Laufer, Luleå University of Technology
Panels and presentations covered ethical dimensions, international collaboration and how to engineer deeper and smarter:
- Jari Joutsenvaara, University of Oulu: “We must learn and give back – not just take.”
- Epiroc presented a 340-gram lunar robot set to land in June 2025
- ITASCA Sweden outlined the need for advanced risk management in deep mining
Social innovation takes the stage
🤝 Niclas Dahlström, Swedish Mining Innovation, announced that social innovation is now a strategic focus, with 100 million SEK in new funding opportunities launched via Swedish Metals & Minerals.
❤️🔥 Melinda From, RISE, made the case:
“Inclusion and gender equality aren’t soft issues – they’re core business.”
💡 Lena Abrahamsson, LTU, introduced a new roadmap for inclusive and safe mining workplaces
🦌 David Kero, LTU Business, showcased a tech collaboration that reduced reindeer accidents by 70% in Sattajärvi Sámi village
The day closed with forward-looking insights and funding opportunities from:
- The Swedish Energy Agency
- The Swedish Research Council
- Swedish Metals & Minerals
Innovation Showroom and The Smelter Social
During both days, participants could explore the Innovation Showroom, featuring 12 exhibitors ranging from startups and networks to research projects – all shaping the future of mining and minerals. The day concluded with the networking event The Smelter Social.
Presentations and photos
Introduction and welcome
A summary of the KPIs from the program.
Innovation Drivers
MineStorage – Maria Säfström, Head of ESG
Flasheye – Martin Blaszczyk, Project and Account Manager
RAMP up! Joining forces under the new Raw Materials Partnership – Tobias Kampmann, Program Manager, Vinnova
Horizon Europe Raw Materials topics in Cluster 4 – Daniel Cios, Policy Officer, European Commission
Future Technology
Future Technology: Environmental Performance
Environmental challenges of today – water and waste – Malin Suup, Section Manager Hydrometallurgy & Water treatment, Boliden
Re:moss – Daniel Pacurar, Founder & Executive Chairman, Boreal Orchards AB
LCA in mining – Legal and international outlook – Christina Jönsson, Vice president Marketing manager, RISE
Bergforsk Award 2025
Bergforsk Foundation’s Award 2025 for the best Master’s and Licentiate Thesis
Apatite-REE characterisation of the Fabian ore body – Best Master’s Thesis – Nadja Lundberg
Future Technology: Space Mining & Deep Mining
Towards Space Mining – Thoughts and Opportunities – René Laufer, Professor and Head of Subject Space Systems, Luleå University of Technology
Space Mining – What could we take back to Earth? – Jari Joutsenvaara, Project Manager, University of Oulu
Deep Mining – Mikael Svartsjaern, Principal Engineer, ITASCA Sweden
Societal Sustainability
The Metal Paradox and Gender Equality in the Industry – Melinda From, Acting Vice President Prototyping society, RISE
ATTRACT – Roadmap for attractive, inclusive and safe mining – Lena Abrahamsson, Professor and Head of Subject, Luleå University of Technology
Safe, sustainable transport in reindeer husbandry area 2.0 – David Kero, Project Manager, LTU Business
Research and Innovation Initiatives
Swedish Energy Agency – Jenny Köhler, Programme Manager
Advancing Scientific Excellence: Funding Programmes and Forthcoming Calls – Julie Oommen, Senior Research Officer, Swedish Research Council
Join our Mission! Open calls – Swedish Metals & Minerals – Lawrence Hooey, Technology Manager, Swedish Metals & Minerals
The agenda from May 14 – 15, 2025
Photos: Elin Emborg, LTU Business
Videos: Lars Teglund and Beatrice Lind, LTU Business/Swedish Mining Innovation
