A pioneering new project, designed to lead an ethical and sustainable international "mining revolution", has received a multi-million pound funding boost.

The pivotal IMP@CT project, led by geology experts from the Camborne School of Mines, based at the University of Exeter’s Penryn Campus, will look to tap into a significant number of small, international metal deposits.

It aims to establish an innovative method of mining - described by the team as “switch on-switch off’ mining - to excavate raw materials that play a crucial role in the production of many household and technological goods. This “switch on-switch off” mining will also enable miners to respond rapidly to market demands, and excavate materials that are desired most in any given period.

The project, which features ten partner organisations from the UK, France, Germany and Finland, is funded by the European Union's Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme.

Dr Kathryn Moore, a lecturer in critical and green technology metals at the Camborne School of Mines and project lead, said: "This research is exciting because it has the potential to unlock many small deposits globally, which would ultimately improve the security of supply of materials for manufacturers.

“The project connects the companies creating the necessary technological innovations with academia and a national survey, who will investigate and model the broader step-changes required to roll out the new mining system in a sustainable way."