TIMREX 4th Cohort Welcomed at ELT Label Induction Days in Zagreb

On November 6–7, 2025, the Faculty of Mining, Geology and Petroleum Engineering (RGN) at the University of Zagreb hosted the annual ELT Label induction days for the fourth cohort of TIMREX students. The event brought together six joint master’s students from the University of Miskolc, five students from the University of Zagreb, and participants from the PROMISE Erasmus Mundus Joint Master programmes.

The first day featured presentations on the support provided by EIT RawMaterials, the innovation infrastructure at the University of Zagreb, and challenge-based learning initiatives. Students also toured the Faculty’s laboratories and mineral collection.

On the second day, participants visited the St. Barbara Mine, a restored historic mining site near Samobor, offering a unique opportunity to connect theory with practice and explore the region’s mining heritage.

This event underscores TIMREX’s commitment to combining academic excellence with practical experience, preparing students for leadership in the raw materials sector.

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Workshop on Digital Geosciences Course Development Held in Zagreb

On November 4–5, 2025, the Faculty of Mining, Geology and Petroleum Engineering (RGN) at the University of Zagreb hosted a workshop dedicated to the development of a short course on Digital Geosciences. The event gathered members of the TIMREX-CRM Consortium, including representatives from the University of Zagreb, Wroclaw University of Science and Technology, Technical University of Leoben, and University of Miskolc, with online contributions from Luleå University of Technology and the Geological Survey of Slovenia.

The workshop focused on designing a joint course that will equip participants with advanced skills in digital methods for mineral resource exploration. The planned course will consist of three modules:

  • Introductory unit to provide essential background knowledge
  • Online module offering theoretical and practical training in handling high-resolution digital data, such as hyperspectral imagery and airborne geophysical datasets
  • On-site module featuring practical exercises and real-world applications

This initiative marks a significant step toward integrating cutting-edge digital technologies into mineral exploration education, fostering collaboration among leading European institutions.

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Two Students, Four Countries, Four Universities, One Topic: Recsk

Bilguun Tsenguun (Mongolia) (pictured) is currently a student at Wrocław University of Science and Technology, Poland as part of the EIT-labelled TIMREX program, and Lidbert Alarcón Laimé (Peru), currently a PhD student at Université Laval (Quebec, Canada). Both were among the four selected student participants whose participation and travel were sponsored by the Canadian MDRU under the Eldorado Gold Scholarship program. This was for the AME World Geological Research Conference held in Vancouver at the end of January 2025.

The event has significant Hungarian relevance. Lidbert graduated as an MSc student from the Earth Science Engineering MSc at University of Miskolc, Hungary with the help of the Stipendium Hungaricum scholarship. Bilguun, on the other hand, has already been working with the teaching staff at Miskolc for half a year and will officially be a student at the University of Miskolc in the TIMREX program during the first semester of 2025.

Both of their poster topics were on the same Hungarian ore deposit, the Recsk Deep Level, and it was through this work that they earned the opportunity to participate. Bilguun will continue the Recsk modeling in Miskolc, while Lidbert will do so in Canada.

Congratulations to both! International attention on Recsk is now guaranteed; it is time to awaken domestic interest from its decades-long slumber regarding this unique ore deposit complex.

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TIMREX CRM – the programme continues in 2025!

TIMREX-CRM project as the continuation of the TIMREX project for the period 2025-2027 aims to further improve the TIMREX joint master project for two more cohorts. Graduates will become T-shaped mineral exploration professionals for an efficient implementation of the EU CRM Act, integrating more deep-tech technologies and approaches in field and laboratory practices. The project adds challenge-based experiences for students, will strengthen the start-up creating actions and ecosystem and ESG mindset, improve fieldwork activities at all academic partners.

TIMREX-CRM project will focusing on curriculum development, extend fieldwork and start-up creating activities. The program aims to meet the strategic needs outlined in the CRM Act while providing skilled workforce for the exploration of critical and strategic minerals in the EU.

The curriculum aims to incorporate advanced mineral exploration technologies, including deep-tech achievements, with a strong focus on fieldwork and application of cutting-edge approaches. The project aligns with the changing exploration regulatory framework in the EU and seeks to tailor the curriculum to meet the targets of the CRM Act.

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Sustainable Natural Resources Dialogue & Conference

The University of Miskolc, together with international partners, had initiated a dialogue and conference series to discuss strategic challenges related to the Sustainable Management of Natural Resources. The first event of the Conference Series was organized on the 28th of November, 2024, at the University of Miskolc, with a special focus on Sustainable Raw Materials Supply and the challenges and problems linked to the adoption of the Critical Raw Materials Act (CRMA). The event provided a great opportunity for cooperation and dialogue between all stakeholders of the innovation ecosystem – politicians, researchers, and industrial partners – at the international level.

Learn more!
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PhD school in Social Licence to Operate. Apply before 15 December 2024!

In the scope of EIT RawMaterials project PRO-SLO, we have opened the Call for applications for all PhD students interested in the topic of Social Licence to Operate (SLO). You can apply here by 15th December 2024 (the latest).

The programme will take part online and on-site:

  1. On-line part: 3-7 February 2025; programme below (basic SLO principles and terminology from various perspectives)
  2. On-site part: 7-11 of April 2025; Adriatic Metals, Vareš, Bosnia and Herzegovina (students will be assigned with the specific Case- Study for which they will have to develop a methodology to obtain SLO)

Between the two parts, in the interval period, online mentorship meetings will take place between lecturers and students in order to process the material from the online part and prepare better for the on-site part.

After the completion of PRO-SLO PhD school, the student will know and understand:

  • The concept, principles and business case for a SLO in the mining industry, and the risks involved in ignoring the importance of a social license.
  • The nature and dynamics of the stakeholder network, the role of social capital, and how to interact with communities to establish a legitimate SLO.
  • Expenses for on-site participation are covered from the project. Students will be reimbursed for their travel costs
  • Programme had been awarded with 4 ECTS credits and is a part of the doctoral school of the University of Zagreb
  • Certificates will be issued for the students so that your Universities can recognised gained ECTS
Registration

MORE INFORMATION:

Call for Students
Draft agenda
Contract
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Zagreb EIT labelled induction days

  • Organised: UNIZG-RGNF, UM, EIT RawMaterials
  • Location: Lecture room INA-ground floor VP02, RGNF, Pierottijeva 6, HR-10 000 Zagreb / hybrid
  • Date: Monday – Tuesday, 28-29/10/2024

LINK to the GoTo Meeting will be sent to participants that register:

Registration

Goals

  1. Improving awareness on the EIT, EIT RawMaterials, EIT Alumni, RawMaterials Academy and labelled master programmes
  2. Inclusion of the TIMREX students and staff to the EIT support programmes for students-entrepreneurs
  3. Linking the UNIZG staff and students with existing innovation infrastructure (Nuqleus)

Target groups

  1. TIMREX students and academic staff
  2. BSc students from Mining Engineering, Geological Engineering and Geology
  3. All students and staff of the UNIZG-RGNF and UNIZG

Programme

28 October 2024

Moderator: Sibila Borojević Šoštarić

Time Content
11:50 – 12:20
– Gathering of the participants
– Networking coffee and snacks
12:20 – 12:30
Welcoming words:
– assoc. prof. Vladislav Brkić, dean of the UNIZG-RGNF
– prof. Ferenc Madai, TIMREX programme coordinator
12:30 – 13:30
EIT labelled master programmes and activities, Benjamin Maloney, Education Manager, EIT RawMaterials:
– Who we are (EIT/EIT RawMaterials)
– RawMaterials Academy
– EIT Alumni
– Overview of the EIT labelled master programmes
– From student to entrepreneur with support of the EIT (EIT programmes for students entrepreneurs)
– Schedule of the EIT academy activities
13:30 – 14:30
Innovation infrastructure at the University of Zagreb, Deni Nurkić, deep-tech venture builder Nuqleus
– What is deep-tech and what is our role in that sector?
– What is intellectual property (IP) and how to commercialize it?
– From idea to validation and beyond (through Nuqleus)
– Practical examples of research commercialization
– Synergy with EIT programmes
14:30 – 15:00
Q&A Conclusions (Sibila Borojević Šoštarić)
15:00 – 16:00
Light lunch & Networking
16:00 – 17:00
Laboratory and mineralogical collections tour (RGNF)

29 October 2024

Hald-day field trip: Sibila Borojević Šoštarić & Ana Maričić

Time Content
8:00 – 8:30
Gathering of the participants and departure from the RGNF building, Pierottijeva 6, HR-10 000 Zagreb
08:30 – 12:00
Field trip – St Barbara Mine near Samobor
12:00 – 14:00
Field lunch & Returning trip
14:00 –
End of the programme
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Steering Committee meeting in Wroclaw, Poland

The TIMREX consortium had the opportunity to meet in person for the yearly Steering Committee meeting held in Wroclaw, Poland, in hybrid mode, allowing online participation as well. The event took place on 27-28 June 2024, hosted by the partner Wroclaw University of Science and Technology.

The event was initiated with welcome words and practicalities by the coordinator Ferenc Mádai (University of Miskolc), followed by the overview of the agenda and the objectives of the meeting. After that, all partners engaged in discussions about administrative topics and workplan with regards to the different components of the TIMREX programme.

The latest editions of the Summer School and Applied Field Exploration course were presented, including the feedback provided by the participating students, followed by discussions on how to improve them for the upcoming cohort. The Exploration entrepreneurship course, a strong entrepreneurial component of TIMREX programme, was presented.

After that, the partners overviewed the thesis topics of the students and their internship activities as TIMREX students. The purpose of this section was to monitor the academic progress of the students, and to plan the necessary actions to fulfill the objectives of the study programme.

The issue with regards to the upcoming third cohort were also discussed, in order to evaluate the statistics and lessons learned from previous cohorts.

Finally, the partners engaged in discussing the targets to be met in the near future and to assess the possibilities to extend the partnership for additional years.

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The 6th edition of the Applied Field Exploration course

The 6th edition of the Applied Field Exploration course comprised 3 geophycisists from Boliden and 20 students from Luleå University of Technology, University of Miskolc, Wroclaw University of Science and Technology and University of Zagreb / Sveučilište u Zagrebu, as part of the TIMREX programme.

After 3 days of mapping, the students have already mapped out several structures, stratigraphic units and alteration zones of interest for VMS exploration. The field mapping exercises have been interleaved with talks by Johannes Holzäpfel and Dave Maher of EMX Royalty Corporation and Amanda Scott (BSc Geology, FAusIMM) of Scott Geological AB touching various aspects of entrepreneurship and drivers in the mineral exploration industry.

The most promising target was tested with a geophysical survey, and on Friday the team headed to Boliden for a drill core logging exercise and talks by Mac Fjellerad Persson and Tobias Hermansson.

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Testimonials

Rayhan Aldizan Farrenzo

“”These past few days were nothing but a wonderful experience. Getting a new mindset to become a better exploration geologist, and basically starting from zero again because you basically don’t know anything, which is a good thing to start with. Nevertheless, huge thanks to Nils F Jansson and Tobias Bauer with the help of TIMREX MSc in Mineral Exploration for the meticulously curated one week summer school, mainly about VMS Deposits. Not only about VMS Deposits, we also get the insightful lectures about mineral exploration industry. Starting from talks about Junior Exploration Company from the distinguished EMX Royalty Corporation representations, Johannes Holzäpfel and Dave Maher. Continued by the motivational career talk by Amanda Scott (BSc Geology, FAusIMM) on entrepreneurial geology and most importantly to be a “full-package geologist” that can work under many different hats. Our last day for the summer school ends with a trip to Boliden, where we got to see the humongous drill core archive facilities and also to hear the successful Rävliden exploration story by Mac Fjellerad Persson and some explanation about core logs and it’s connection with the VMS Models. Lastly, we got a very interesting lecture about Exploration Geology and AI by Tobias Hermansson, and what could be the future for exploration geology. I’m very lucky to have such an experience.””

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Nchimenyi Sobse

“Celebrating the success of our VMS field exploration course in Skeleftea!

I am thrilled to have participated in a VMS field exploration course in the breathtaking skelleftea District in northern Sweden.

Hands-On fieldwork:
I gained invaluable experience, mapping and understanding the role of Insitu hyaloclastites and metasediments to proximity of the massive sulfides.

Witnessed first hand and
logged the drill cores from this area at the Boliden core facility.

Understood the process of mapping structures using high resolution photogammetric images of outcrops, alteration and facies mapping.

Networking:
Connections were forged, creating a vibrant community of like minded professionals through presentations from Johannes Holzäpfel of EMX Royalty Corporation , Amanda Scott (BSc Geology, FAusIMM) of Scott Geological AB.

At Boliden we received wonderful lectures from Mac Fjellerad Persson on VMS deposits in the skelleftea District and Tobias Hermansson on research and development at BOLIDEN.

I am incredibly proud of the dedication and enthusiasm of our field professors Nils F Jansson, Tobias Bauer and a host of professionals from Boliden for their resounding lessons and contribution which made it a success.

To the wonderful TIMREX MSc in Mineral Exploration students from Wroclaw University of Science and Technology , Luleå University of Technology , University of Miskolc and University of Zagreb it was a memorable experience working as a team.“

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Gebreselassie Gebremedhin

“Last week, I had a valuable practical experience studying Volcanogenic Massive Sulfide (VMS) deposits in the field. The fieldwork took place in the Skellefteå district of Northern Sweden, one of the major ore-producing regions. The exposure to field mapping exercises and attending lectures on professional and entrepreneurial insights was enriching. Exploring the formation processes of VMS deposits, practicing structural measurements, alteration and lithological facies description (i.e., metavolcanics and metasediments), geophysical survey (i.e., magnetic-to detect possible anomalies) followed by attending lectures on data interpretation presented by geophysicists from Boliden, and a visit to Boliden for drill core logging, along with lectures were wonderful experiences.

Many thanks to the course and field leaders, Prof. Nils F Jansson and Tobias Bauer of Luleå University of Technology, for their lectures, field guidance and sharing of profound knowledge and skills. Special thanks to Amanda Scott (BSc Geology, FAusIMM) of Scott Geological AB, and Johannes Holzäpfel from EMX Royalty Corporation for their invaluable professional and entrepreneurial advice. Gratitude also extends to Mac Fjellerad Persson of Boliden for his insightful lectures on the history of VMS in Skellefteå, exploration development, and reconstruction of the VMS forming geological process based on drill core interpretation. Appreciation continues to Tobias Hermansson of Boliden for his enlightening lectures on exploration research, development of exploration techniques, and professional advice.

To my dear colleagues from TIMREX MSc in Mineral Exploration and beyond, it was a pleasure being part of the fieldwork with you. I appreciate the teamwork and have learned a lot from you. I look forward to continued collaboration in the green energy and sustainable development journey. Cheers to all!

A big thank you to the organizing team and everyone who contributed to this memorable experience.”

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Samuel Ayipa Arthur

” I am excited to share my incredible experience at the TIMREX Summer School, where I participated in the Applied Field Exploration course at Luleå University of Technology, Sweden, organized by Professors Nils F Jansson and Tobias Bauer. Held from June 10th to 14th, this immersive program provided a unique, field-based mineral exploration experience, blending innovative techniques with hands-on practice.

Alongside 20 skilled student geologists from University of Miskolc, Luleå University of Technology, Wroclaw University of Science and Technology and the University of Zagreb / Sveučilište u Zagrebu, we tackled the challenge of rediscovering a blind VMS deposit in the Skellefte district. Utilizing various mapping techniques and magnetic geophysical surveys, we also honed our drill core logging skills at Boliden. This course, part of the EIT RawMaterials labelled TIMREX MSc in Mineral Exploration, was truly educative and transformative.

Appreciations to hashtag#Johannes hashtag#Holzäpfel (EMX Royalty Corporation), and Amanda Scott (BSc Geology, FAusIMM) (Scott Geological AB) for their insightful talks on entrepreneurship and industry drivers. The knowledge and skills gained are invaluable for my future in mineral exploration and mining.

Special thanks also to Mac Fjellerad Persson for his presentation on VMS deposits discovery case story in the Skelleftea District and Tobias Hermansson for his discussion on research and development at Boliden.

I am deeply grateful to our lecturers and coordinators from Luleå University of Technology, Prof. Nils F Jansson and Prof. Tobias Bauer, as well as the TIMREX MSc in Mineral Exploration for organizing the Summer School Field Program.

I look forward to applying these learnings and continuing this exciting journey!”

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Joshua Boye

“Exciting News!

I am thrilled to share that I recently participated in the 2024 TIMREX field Exploration Summer School!

The summer school is part of an applied Field Exploration course at Luleå University of Technology, Sweden, organized by Prof. Nils F Jansson and Tobias Bauer.This course form part of the EIT RawMaterials labelled TIMREX MSc in Mineral Exploration program .The Summer school was held from 10th to 14th of June 2024 in Skellefteå, Northern Sweden, a significant district with VMS ore deposits.

This one week intensive program was an incredible experience for me . It dived deep into the Geological and geophysical field mapping of Volcanogenic Massive Sulfide(VMS) deposits, gaining cutting-edge hands-on practical experience on structural, alteration, and lithological facies mapping in a typical VMS setting.

Throughout the program, I had the opportunity to:
Attend immersive lectures led by industry experts with diverse technical and entrepreneurial skills in mining and exploration.
Collaborate on field geological and geophysical mapping exercises with brilliant and talented peers from various Timrex partner universities.
Explore new perspectives and approaches in
Geological field mapping, Drill Core logging, and geophysical survey techniques applicable to VMS exploration and mining.
Develop critical soft skills that I am excited to apply in my career.

Many thanks to Prof. Nils F Jansson and Tobias Bauer of Luleå University of Technology (program coordinators and field leaders) for their insightful lectures, hands-on mentoring, and sharing of deep knowledge and skills in exploration and mining with us.I am also grateful to Amanda Scott of Scott Geological AB, and hashtag#Johannes hashtag#Holzäpfel from EMX Royalty Corporation for their industrial and entrepreneurial advice, which will be valuable to my learning and growth. Also, a heart full of gratitude goes to the TIMREX MSc in Mineral Exploration consortium for putting such an astonishing program in place. Finally, many thanks to Mac Fjellerad Persson of Boliden for enlightening us on the VMS deposits discovery case story in the Skelleftea District and Tobias Hermansson for his presentation on Research and Development at Boliden .

This One week experience has really impacted my knowledge of mineral exploration in VMS setting and I look forward to apply this valuable knowledge gained.”

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