The week-long program was titled "Uranium and Metal Mines: Balancing Environmental Impact and Resource Potential". In addition to expert lectures, participants visited CXI TUL’s labs, worked with groundwater modeling, and ventured into the field – to mining sites in Stráž pod Ralskem and Kaňk.

"The goal of the SURRI project isn’t just to address the environmental burdens of the past, but to show that former mining sites can become sources of valuable materials for the future. Science plays a key role here – and we want to be part of it,” says Prof. Miroslav Černík, director of CXI TUL and lead of the SURRI project.

Microbiology and Nanotechnology

Experts from the Czech Republic, the UK, Italy, and Spain presented their research at the SURRI Summer School. Topics included electrokinetics, phytoremediation, microorganisms, and how lasers can help extract valuable metals from mining waters. Notable speakers and their research topics included:

  • Martin Palušák (TUL): contaminated sites and electrokinetics
  • Frances Burrell (Southampton): uranium phytoremediation using imaging technology
  • Veronika Hlaváčková (TUL): microbial diversity at former mines
  • Gaia Salvatori (Sapienza): waste reuse for biopolymers and bio-hydrogen
  • Nhung Nguyen (TUL): metal bioaccumulation using Trichoderma sp. fungi

The program also included a tour of CXI TUL's research facilities, where participants saw high-end microscopes and analytical tools typically used in nanomaterials and environmental technologies research.

Mines, Mines Everywhere

From lecture halls to the great outdoors – the participants went on two field trips.

First stop: Stráž pod Ralskem. In the heart of former uranium mining, they visited several DIAMO company facilities for groundwater decontamination. On-site, unique remediation experiments are underway.

Second destination: Kutná Hora – Kaňk site. Historic mines here are being revived through sustainable development and metal recycling projects.

The SURRI Summer School brought together science, technology, and environmental themes into one powerful week, proving that even abandoned mining sites can spark research inspiration for young scientists from all over Europe.

More about the SURRI project