XTRACTor in Action: Soil Sampling Demonstrations at the São Domingos Mine

As part of the XTRACT Project demonstration campaign, partner UNP, with the support of LNEG, recently conducted field tests of the XTRACTor at the São Domingos Mine in Portugal.

The tests focused on the XTRACTor, a gripper developed by UNP for collecting soil samples from locations that are difficult for humans to access. The demonstrations showcased the system operating under real-world conditions and highlighted its ability to safely retrieve samples from challenging areas of the mining site.

By enabling sample collection from hard-to-reach locations, the XTRACTor supports environmental monitoring and site investigation activities while helping overcome accessibility and safety constraints often encountered in contaminated mining environments.

The field demonstrations form part of XTRACT’s ongoing efforts to validate innovative technologies for the investigation and monitoring of contaminated sites. Successful sample retrievals were carried out at distinct locations within the São Domingos Mine, demonstrating the practical application of the XTRACTor in real operational conditions.

Watch the demonstration videos below.