Recent publicity of China’s control of the rare earth element market and the growing crisis of supply of metals essential for new technologies is a reminder of Europe’s near-total dependence on imported metals. The European Union spends 55 billion Euros per year, half of its total budget, to assure a supply of agricultural products but seems satisfied that >97% of all metals are imported.

In this debate, experts from academia and industry will discuss the current state of the minerals industry, in Europe and on a global sale; they will explore which metals may be in short supply and what can done in universities, government agencies and industry to mitigate the problem.

Speakers:
Lluis Fontboté (University of Geneva, Switzerland; president elect of the Society of Economic Geologists)
Richard Herrington (Museum of Natural History, London)
Patrice Christmann (Head of the BRGM Mineral Resources Department)
Paul Anciaux (Metals, Minerals and Raw Materials, European Commission)
Patrick Redmond (Regional Manager, Exploration, Teck Resources Ltd.)