I4WORLD secondment experiences
I had the unique opportunity to spend a total of six months at the Kittilä Mine, operated by Agnico Eagle Finland Oy. My secondment took place in two phases, from April to June 2024 and again in 2025.
After completing the orientation and safety training, I settled into my office near the tailings storage facilities, the heart of my research site. From there, I began a hands-on journey into the world of mining, sustainability, and imaging science. I was fortunate to take part in several training visits that opened doors deep into the underground mine, the beneficiation plant, and the tailings management area. Seeing the entire mining process up close gave me a new appreciation for the scale and complexity of sustainable mineral production in subarctic Finland.
Over the course of my stay, I collected hundreds of tailings samples from different parts of the storage area. These samples became the key to understanding how tailings materials behave, how they settle, retain water, and change over time. To make the most of this opportunity, I brought along a portable Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) device, known as the NMR-MOUSE, to the site. With it, I could perform on-site, non-invasive measurements to study the sedimentation and moisture dynamics of the tailings, combining advanced imaging techniques with real-world environmental challenges.
Working at Kittilä Mine allowed me to see how scientific research and industry can come together to address sustainability in mining. It was a truly collaborative effort, and I am deeply grateful to my principal supervisor, Professor Vladimir Zhivonitko, and my industry supervisor, Mr. Jussi Nousiainen, for their guidance and support. I would also like to thank Agnico Eagle Finland Oy, our partner organization, for welcoming me to their team and providing such a valuable learning environment.
My time in Kittilä was more than just research. It was a story of learning, exploration, and connection. From the depths of the mine to the surface of the tailings pond, every moment offered new insights into how science can help build a more sustainable and responsible mining future.
More information on Hamed and his research project.
The I4WORLD (Imaging and Characterisation for a Sustainable World) doctoral programme co-funded by the European Union.