The transition to sustainable energy is driving unprecedented demand for critical raw materials (CRMs, as lastly defined by the European Union in 2020), which are essential for the operation and stability of numerous key industrial ecosystems, including batteries for electric vehicles and local storage, photovoltaic cells and efficient dynamos in wind turbines. As nations strive to secure these vital resources with the support of global initiatives such as the European Union’s Raw Materials Initiative, understanding their lifecycle, from initial exploration to their end-use, is crucial.
The primary challenges lie in the development of advanced technologies for locating and processing CRMs, as well as in mitigating their environmental and social impacts and securing the supply chain in a tense geopolitical context. This session will thus explore the entire value chain of CRMs, focusing on recent advancements in mineral exploration (including metallogenic models), sustainable production, extraction, and recovery procedures. Geoscientists will discuss interdisciplinary approaches for identifying and assessing mineral deposits across diverse geological settings, while also addressing environmental and ethical issues, including land degradation, water pollution, and community displacement.
We invite contributions that further examine the practical applications of CRMs, with emphasis on the logistics of transportation, processing, and supply chain management. Additionally, discussions on the geopolitical and economic implications of CRM export and supply dependencies are also encouraged. We underscore the importance of experimentation and modelling in optimizing CRM exploration, extraction and use, and the need for transparent communication among industry, policymakers, and the public.
This session therefore aims to equip participants with a holistic understanding of CRMs and their critical role in the global energy transition, while also navigating the complexities of environmental and ethical challenges.