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Helmholtz Institute Freiberg for Resource Technology

The Helmholtz Institute Freiberg for Resource Technology (HIF) develops solutions for a more sustainable use of mineral and metal-bearing raw materials: In the future, these valuable resources are to be used more efficiently and recycled in an environmentally friendly manner. To this end, the Helmholtz Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf is cooperating closely with the TU Bergakademie Freiberg.

Trace elements for a healthy economy

From copper cables to lithium batteries, in our everyday lives we encounter metal-bearing and mineral raw materials everywhere. And the demand continues to grow; for renewable energy supply, but also for other future technologies such as electromobility, we need enormous quantities of very different metals and minerals.

Their development is increasingly presenting us with enormous challenges: Some deposits are located in inhospitable areas or at great depths, some ores have low metal contents or are fine-grained and complex in composition.

So how can the supply of these important resources continue to succeed? Economic cycles make a decisive contribution here: They help to use raw materials more efficiently and minimize losses.

At HIF, we are developing innovative technologies for this purpose. Our researchers deal with resource issues in an interdisciplinary way, from exploration to processing and metallurgy to recycling. At the same time, they focus on the material and energy efficiency of the value chain and develop solutions for the sustainable use of raw materials.

Click here for the institute's website

Contact

Egbert Jolie

Chief Research Manager Energy
Helmholtz Association

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