Construction works on the ¡VAMOS! (Viable Alternative Mine Operating System) project underwater mining prototype are now complete.
According to the project site, with assembly now being complete and gantry attached, the ¡VAMOS! deployment module is now ready for testing.
Working together, the ¡VAMOS! project partners INESC, BMT, SMD, Damen, Fugro, and ZfT will over the next couple of months create an Awareness System; a Positioning & Navigation System; and a Real-Time Grade Control System.
So far, these developments are proceeding according to the plan and ¡VAMOS! expects to see the final results and equipment in action at the first mine site test later this year.
¡VAMOS!, the Viable Alternative Mining Operating System, is a 42-month research and development project launched to enable the opening and rehabilitation of underexploited European mineral deposits, using a safe, clean and low visibility method.
The project is funded by the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation program.