iFORMINE — Innovative mining water purification solutions and eco-efficient pilots project aims to develop new solutions for mining water management and eco-efficiency. Efficient and safe management of water and material flows is developed in cooperation with forest industry process experts and mining experts. In the forest industry, the processing and management of large volumes of flow has been everyday for decades. The application of this know-how and technologies to the mining sector provides a significant opportunity for Eastern and Northern Finland to specialise. The need for the mining industry is linked to efficient management of production flows and environmental water. Increasing quantities of nitrogen and sulphate in addition to metals are subject to stricter environmental quality standards for mining waters. The project will develop and pilot new water purification processes for the mining industry. In particular, technologies developed in the region, such as fast mixing techniques and biological waste water treatment techniques, will be applied. These are widely used in the chemical forest industry, but have hardly been applied to the management of water and eco-efficiency in the mining industry. In addition, the CO2 capture process based on water recycling, patented by Mikkeli University of Applied Sciences, enables the development of completely new solutions for the mining industry. The methods developed in the project will also open up opportunities for international business. The project is managed by Mikkeli University of Applied Sciences and other actors are the Geological Research Centre (GTK), Lappeenranta University of Technology, Savonia University of Applied Sciences and Lapland University of Applied Sciences. Together, operators have knowledge of mining processes, water and material chemistry research, various treatment of sewage sludges and carbon capture. The project also involves equipment suppliers and mining companies in the sector. The project operators cooperate in carrying out practical studies on the treatment of mining waters and their sewage sludges, as well as developing flow and water process innovations for the mining industry. The results of new solutions based on the circular economy are reported. The Fiber Laboratory of Mikkeli University of Applied Sciences has expertise in fast mixing processes. In the project, this knowledge is applied to the treatment of mining water. In addition, the Fiber Laboratory conducts laboratory and pilot studies on how CO2 captured from flue-gases can be used to improve the efficiency of the enrichment process and to stabilise the precipitate resulting from the enrichment. Mikkeli University of Applied Sciences also compiles and reports the results of the various parties. The Geological Research Centre (GTK) compiles the necessary preliminary data on the water streams of the target mines and verifies water quality by sampling. If necessary, measurements shall be carried out at the sites to assess water quality variations over time. Based on the exploratory work, the cleaning needs are assessed and the project actors define the objectives in cooperation. In addition, GTK participates in piloting and is responsible for the introduction of mixing and precipitation processes in mining pilots. The project co-operates with the mining water network project (Mining VV) coordinated by GTK. The Lappeenranta University of Technology (LUT Savo Sustainable Technologies/Green Chemistry) is investigating the recovery of metals from waste water from the mining industry using a new, energy-efficient and environmentally friendly electrodeionisation method. Waste water from mines can be classified as a raw material, in which case the recovery of metals reduces final waste. The method to be developed can be integrated into existing solutions, thus making water recycling more efficient. The method is piloted using the mixing expertise of the Fiber Laboratory of Mikkeli University of Applied Sciences. Lapland University of Applied Sciences explores solutions for lees coming from minerals and water purification. The lees could be used, for example, for landscaping of waste facilities and for local energy production. In addition, the potential for energy use of various purification plant and enrichment sludges is explored. The Savonia University of Applied Sciences implements the pilots in cooperation with GTK, Mikkeli University of Applied Sciences, technology suppliers and target mines. Savonia participates in pilots and is responsible for implementing biological cleaning processes with partners. The process solutions are tested by the developers before the field stage. Careful preparation ensures the functionality of the processes, minimises the time spent on the site and obtains the required results. The project results in pilot-level references from process solutions to the management of water and material flows in the mining industry.