MultiMiner at the Magnesite Symposium 2026: Advancing Science, Collaboration, and Community Engagement

From May 18–20, 2026, experts from across Europe gathered in Hochfilzen, Austria, for the Magnesite Symposium, an interdisciplinary event bringing together specialists in mining, geoscience, biology, and social science to explore the future of magnesite research and sustainable resource management.

Among the highlights of the symposium was a dedicated MultiMiner dissemination session, showcasing the project’s latest results and their implications for both science and practice.

Showcasing MultiMiner Research in Hochfilzen

The MultiMiner session, titled “MultiMiner EU Research Project in Hochfilzen (2023–2026): Results and Implications”, brought together leading experts to present cutting-edge approaches to mineral exploration and environmental monitoring.

The session opened with a welcome from Holger Paulick (GeoSphere Austria), setting the stage for a series of insightful presentations:

• Martin Schodlok (BGR) shared recent advances in hyperspectral analyses for mineral exploration, focusing on work at the Weißenstein Magnesite deposit and surrounding areas. His presentation highlighted how spectral data can refine mineral mapping and improve exploration efficiency.
• Alexander Kiessling (Bonatica) presented on open pit vegetation succession, demonstrating how ecological processes unfold over time in mining environments and how they can be systematically analyzed.
• Pinja Lindgrén and Matthieu Molinier (VTT) explored innovative methods for estimating plant diversity using Earth Observation data, offering insights into biodiversity monitoring at the landscape scale.

Together, these contributions illustrated the strength of MultiMiner’s interdisciplinary approach, combining Earth observation, ecological analysis, and advanced data processing to better understand both mineral resources and environmental dynamics.

From Science to Society: Engaging the Public

Building on the scientific program, the symposium extended its reach beyond the research community through a public lecture delivered in German by Holger Paulick, titled “Kritische mineralische Rohstoffe” (Critical Raw Materials).

The talk introduced key concepts around the importance of critical minerals in modern society, while also sharing core MultiMiner findings from the Hochfilzen area.

The event attracted around 20 local participants, a strong turnout for a village of approximately 530 households, demonstrating genuine community interest in both mining and its environmental implications.

This engagement highlights an important aspect of the MultiMiner mission: bridging the gap between science, industry, policymakers, and the public.

A Platform for Collaboration and Knowledge Exchange

With 45 participants from five countries, the Magnesite Symposium fostered meaningful exchanges across disciplines and perspectives. The inclusion of the MultiMiner session within this broader program emphasised the project’s relevance to current challenges in sustainable mining, environmental monitoring, and resource management.

By integrating advanced technologies—such as hyperspectral sensing and satellite-based Earth observation, with ecological and social insights, MultiMiner continues to contribute to a more holistic understanding of mining landscapes.

Looking Ahead

The discussions in Hochfilzen reinforced the importance of collaboration, innovation, and transparency in addressing the complexities of critical raw materials and their environmental context.

As MultiMiner approaches the conclusion of its lifetime, events like this demonstrate the project’s lasting impact, not just in advancing scientific knowledge, but also in engaging communities and shaping the future of responsible resource use.