Towards Sustainable and Economic REE Mining in Europe: Raise Mining as an Alternative to Open Stoping * T. Fruehwirt1, C. Rainer2, J. Schmidbauer1, P. Gams1, O. Deniz1, H. Wagner1 1 Technical University of Leoben, Department of Mineral Resources Engineering, Chair of Mining Engineering and Mineral Economics, 8700 Leoben, Austria (*Presenting author: thomas.fruehwirt@unileoben.ac.at) 2 Rare Earths Norway AS, 6422 Molde, Norway ABSTRACT The Fen carbonatite complex in Telemark, Norway, represents one of Europe’s most significant rare earth element (REE) occurrences. The deposit is the remnant of a 580-Ma volcanic feeder system, characterized by steeply dipping structural domains, massive iron-dolomite carbonatite, and exceptional geotechnical quality (UCS 135– 200 MPa, RQD > 90). With an inferred vertical extent exceeding 1.000 m and an environmentally sensitive setting, the site poses demanding geotechnical and logistical boundary conditions for underground extraction. Within this context, the REESOURCE framework supports the evaluation of innovative, low-impact mining technologies. This paper compares the emerging Raise Mining approach with the traditional Open Stoping method evaluated in a trade-off study for the Fen deposit. Both methods aim to extract a steep, massive and mechanically competent orebody, yet they differ fundamentally in operational concept, infrastructure requirements and environmental performance – key aspects when striving for Trust, Transformation and Technology towards a thriving and sustainable future. Open Stoping applies a conventional transverse stoping sequence using bottom-up production drilling, slot raises and paste backfill. Ore is mucked from lower drives and transferred via sublevel ore passes to a haulage level. The design targets a production rate of approximately 5 Mtpa, supported by multiple access drives, extensive development and substantial ventilation requirements. While Open Stoping is a proven, high-productivity bulk-mining method, its overall operational footprint remains comparatively large. Raise Mining, currently being developed and refined for the Fen deposit, follows a markedly different extraction philosophy. The method relies on vertically oriented extraction raises, mined in sequence and immediately backfilled. This reduces lateral development, limits dilution, improves ground stability and significantly decreases surface and subsurface disturbance. Preliminary geomechanical assessments, including semi-empirical and numerical methods, indicate that extraction blocks on the order of 50 × 300 m are feasible. Moreover, Raise Mining offers strong potential for automation, reduced CO₂ emissions and improved worker safety – attributes that explicitly support minimum impact and minimally invasive mining strategies. In summary, while Open Stoping provides a robust and operationally mature baseline for early-stage exploitation, Raise Mining presents a forward-looking alternative that better meets longterm sustainability, environmental and societal expectations for REE extraction in Europe. KEYWORDS Raise Mining, Open Stoping, Backfill, Minimum Impact Mining, Rock Mechanics Design, Rare Earth Element Extraction
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