AI4Minerals Innovation Challenge – AI-Powered Analysis for Mineral Resource Inventory
by Bureau de Recherches Géologiques et Minières (BRGM) organized by Cap Digital

 

Explore How AI Is Transforming Mineral Resource Management

In the context of the energy transition and industrial sovereignty, France is strengthening its strategy to secure the supply of critical mineral resources. To support this effort, BRGM (the French Geological Survey) is leading an ambitious national program aimed at updating knowledge of the geological potential for strategic metals. With a budget of €63.3 million over five years, the program involves a large-scale inventory of the subsurface across parts of metropolitan and overseas France, focusing on around fifty critical elements.

As part of this initiative, BRGM is launching an innovation challenge to engage AI stakeholders—including those without a background in geosciences—in experimenting with innovative data analysis approaches applied to mineral exploration.

 

The Program

The initiative is based on several thousand geochemical samples, from which participants are expected to generate multivariate anomaly maps to effectively guide exploration efforts. The expected outcomes must combine technical rigor, geoscientific relevance, and high-quality interpretation.

This project operates within a demanding methodological framework, characterized by significant uncertainty: limited direct drilling data, a predominance of indirect data, and still-incomplete knowledge of the targeted elements.

 

Main Objectives

Generate an anomaly map for each of the 49 chemical elements included in the provided dataset. Three types of anomalies are considered.
Use statistical, spatial, or machine learning approaches to identify potential areas of interest from heterogeneous and noisy data.

 

Bonuses (Optional but Valued)

Bonus 1: Propose a methodology for integrating geophysical data to enrich, explain, or validate detected anomalies.
Bonus 2: Provide a metallogenic or anthropogenic interpretation of the anomalies (e.g., distinguishing a natural signal of interest from pollution of agricultural origin).
 
One of the key goals of the challenge is to identify 2 to 3 partners with whom BRGM could establish long-term R&D collaborations beyond this experimental phase.

 

All the Information You Need Is Available on the Official Challenge Page

If you or your organization are interested in participating, here’s how to apply:

• Download and review all the resources related to the innovation challenge. These include detailed participation guidelines and the datasets made available to help you prepare your submission.
• Complete the application form and upload your submission package via the designated platform.
  
  

If you or your company would like to form or join a consortium, you should fill out the dedicated consortium form to facilitate matchmaking.
Your information will be included in a shared document listing all entities interested in forming a consortium.

Applications are open until September 1, 2025, at 12:00 PM (noon).

For any questions regarding the challenge, feel free to contact openinnovation@capdigital.com