Brussels, Belgium – February 14, 2025 – The Horizon Europe-funded DEXPLORE Project is making significant progress toward reducing Europe’s dependency on critical and strategic raw materials sourced from third countries. By advancing innovative surface-to-subsurface mineral exploration technologies, DEXPLORE is working to improve Europe’s geological understanding of its deep-seated Critical Raw Materials (CRM) potential—resources that are vital to the continent's green and digital transitions.
At the core of the DEXPLORE initiative is a robust pilot program designed to test and validate these novel technologies under real-world conditions. The project includes:
- ✅ Two technology calibration pilots in Spain
- ✅ One final technology validation pilot in Estonia
These pilots are essential for refining exploration methodologies that combine geophysical, geochemical, and hyperspectral imaging techniques, enabling more accurate and sustainable mineral targeting at greater depths.
As a major milestone, DEXPLORE is proud to announce the release of its first scientific publication, focusing on the Estonian pilot site. The study, led by the Department of Geology at TalTech and the Geological Survey of Estonia, explores the geological potential of Estonia’s crystalline basement and its relevance within the broader Fennoscandian Shield.
This publication represents an important first step in establishing DEXPLORE’s scientific footprint and reinforces the critical role of collaborative research in unlocking Europe’s CRM potential.
DEXPLORE remains committed to delivering actionable knowledge and tools that support the EU’s Critical Raw Materials Act and broader strategic autonomy objectives.
