A Holistic Digital Mine 4.0 Ecosystem

In the context of industrialization, informatization and sustainable development of the mining sector, Mine.io solution will build a novel mining digital ecosystem and a systemic structure for the implementation of Industry 4.0 in mining industrial environments.

Mine.io solution will embrace the whole mining value chain from resources’ exploration, extraction, and processing to waste management and post mining activity.

Our fundamental concept is the provision of a manufacturing system architecture, under cloud environment, to be applied in the digital twin mining “shop floor”.

Mine.io envisions an innovative cloud services system and a novel mining ecosystem of sharing, interconnection, and open cooperation.

Mine.io will establish a unified data infrastructure and collaborative platform ecosystem to promote the openness and sharing of data and improve the cooperation environment between mining enterprises.

Mine.io aims to enhance systematization of the basic processes of the mining industry, that involve asset and process equipment optimization, through embedded predictive analytics, and optimization procedures based on completely data-driven processes and the integrated cyber-virtual and cyber-physical systems, automation and robotization of mining exploration and production processes, sustainable mining, and post mining management. To meet the increasing social and environmental concerns,

Systemic Barriers to Digital Transformation in Mining Operations

Mine.io will enable a resource optimization and digital transformation framework, embedding specific circular economy and “low-impact mining” strategies. Energy innovations, including the transition to autonomous electric vehicles, will lead to socially conscious profit, while creating a safer and cleaner environment for front-line workers, including higher air quality for those working underground.

Mine.io ecosystem will be validated in different demonstration sites, involving 4 operational mine facilities and 2 historic mine sites, in 5 EU countries.

Our Role

Frontier Innovations plays a central role in the digital transformation vision of MINE.IO by leading the development of the Workflow Automation Engine (WAE)—the project’s core component for orchestrating operational and business processes across the mining value chain. Our team designs the architecture that enables mines to model, simulate, and automate their workflows using open industrial standards such as BPMN 2.0 and MIMOSA OSA-CBM, ensuring interoperability, transparency, and long-term sustainability. Through this work, Frontier Innovations bridges domain knowledge, data, and technology to streamline complex mining operations, from predictive maintenance and work-order coordination to permit renewals and scheduling.

workflow automation engine for operational and business workflows covering Mines and Raw Material value chains

By embracing a distributed and accountable automation framework, we help mining stakeholders collaborate securely—even when they do not fully trust each other. The WAE integrates seamlessly with MINE.IO’s blockchain-based governance layer, allowing partners to sign agreements, verify work orders, and maintain tamper-proof operational histories without intermediaries. This ensures traceability, compliance assurance, and real-time operational visibility across teams, contractors, and regulatory actors. Our approach reduces administrative overhead and eliminates delays caused by outdated tools such as email chains, manual signatures, or siloed IT systems.

Workflow example

Frontier Innovations leads the validation of the WAE across three real-world pilots—Predictive Maintenance, Workflow Scheduling, and Decentralised Permit Renewals—implemented in operational mines in Greece, Sweden, and Germany. By co-designing these workflows with industrial partners, we ensure that MINE.IO delivers practical, scalable solutions that directly address today’s operational bottlenecks. Beyond mining, our work lays the foundation for a new standard in heavy-industry digitisation, showcasing how real-time data, automation, and distributed trust can reshape complex industrial ecosystems.

Mine.io Facts & Figures

• Project name: A Holistic Digital Mine 4.0 Ecosystem

• Grant Agreement No: 101091885

• Topic: HORIZON-CL4-2022-RESILIENCE-01-06 - Sustainable and innovative mine of the future (IA)

• Duration: 1/01/2023 – 30/06/2026

• EC Contribution: € 11 999 256
  

Project Website