The European Union's energy transition ambitions weave a complex tapestry with domestic mineral resources and those of mineral-rich countries to ensure the necessary supply of minerals. The transition is a globally shared dream, but the dream of Indigenous Peoples and Civil Society involves global justice, a systemic approach, and the recognition of our planetary boundaries.

A number of loose threads are present as this tapestry is being woven. The topic of our conversation is Indigenous Peoples’ rights, the environment, and intergenerational justice in relation to mining projects. The panel argues that these threads are structural to weaving a just and sustainable transition. In fact, with more than half of Energy Transition projects on Indigenous Peoples’ lands, weak FPIC protocols in mining companies, including those in the battery mineral sector, and growing amounts of mining waste, these loose ends can make or break the Green Transition dream.
This panel will bring together Indigenous Peoples and Civil Society representatives from Europe and Latin America and it will host the presentation of two relevant studies. The recently released OXFAM’s analysis "Recharging Community Consent" focusing on several intersecting issues related to human rights due diligence, gender justice,the protection of human rights defenders and free, prior, and informed consent (FPIC) in the battery mining sector; and the new report from the European Environmental Bureau about Mining for the Green Transition illustrating impacts on the ground with global and regional cases. The panel will discuss these studies and look for ways to accommodate these loose threads in the tapestry to make the Energy Transition a fair and sustainable process.

Organiser: OXFAM, https://www.oxfam.org/en , European Environmental Bureau https://eeb.org/ , Cultural Survival https://www.culturalsurvival.org / SIRGE Coalition https://www.sirgecoalition.org / EU Raw Materials Coalition https://eurmc.org/

Demand for critical minerals is expected to soar in the context of the energy transition and decarbonisation in the coming years. Rare Earth Elements are listed as critical minerals by the European Union (EU) and the United States, among others. In this session we will present an international mapping initiative that has documented sensitive socio-environmental conflicts related to theexpansion of Rare Earths Elements (REEs) commodity chains (extraction, processing, recycling…) across the globe. The map documents about 30 cases of socio-environmental mobilization in Australia, Chile, Brazil, Madagascar, Malaysia, Myanmar, Finland, India, Spain, Sweden, among other countries. We discuss the implications of the documented impacts and conflicts for affected communities and Green and Digital Transition agendas. We will also discuss with voices from affected communities and a political representative.

The Debt Observatory in Globalisation, the EJAtlas, The Institute for Policy Studies and CRAAi-OD, as part of the Global Rare Earths Element Network, in collaboration with researchers, grassroots and organizations have developed this featured map of socio-environmental conflicts related to the supply chain of Rare Earth Elements.

Organisers: Debt Observatory in Globalisation, EJAtlas, EU Raw Materials Coalition

Current crises and an increased relevance of supply security and independence have put the issue of a resilient EU raw materials supply on the political agenda. Existing structural dependencies in raw material imports are now to be dismantled or reduced - as demanded by the Critical Raw Materials Act (CRMA) and the German government's national security strategy. In terms of a fair and sustainable design of new domestic industrial projects and new international raw material cooperations or partnerships, a number of important parameters must be taken into account. In this area of tension, competitiveness, human rights and environmental protection must be of equal importance and complement rather than impede each other.

Within the framework of the Raw Materials Week, which will take place from 13-17 November 2023 in Brussels, we invite you to our stakeholder breakfast debate in the European Parliament, hosted by MEP Matthias Ecke (S&D). Together with civil society actors, industry representatives and policymakers, we want to discuss the following key question:

If you are interested in participating in the event, please send an Email to Lilly Golz (golz@wvmetalle.de)

For decades, our economies rely ever more deeply on the rapid exchange of materials at low prices, coupled with permanently present expectations of future supply growth. This on its own terms unsustainable model, based on supply chain predictability and stability, does not change gradually. It has been disrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic, Russia's invasion, and disruptions from fast escalating climate impacts that are only starting to unfold. The energy transition is imperative, but also highly material-intensive. As Europe strives to reduce its dependence on Russia, domestic demand for critical raw materials is poised to soar. If supply and demand in the value chain of copper are left completely unchecked, chaos and conflict could prevail. So how can industry adapt, governments plan, scientists advice and citizens engage in all this? This is the subject of this event, with copper as a case in point.

The H2020 project LOCOMOTION (Low-carbon society: an enhanced modeling tool for the transition to sustainability) has developed scientific models to assess the impact of various raw material scenarios, including one aligned with the European Green Deal. This event seeks to explore the complexity of multiple crises and gain insights from LOCOMOTION's new integrated assessment model (IAM).

Organiser: European Environmental Bureau, https://eeb.org/, EU Raw Materials Coalition, https://eurmc.org/

AlSiCal aims to co-produce three crucial raw materials: alumina, silica, and precipitated calcium carbonate. The workshop will emphasize the primary accomplishment of substantiating the concept’s feasibility, propelling it towards higher Technology Readiness Levels (TRLs). Specifically, the workshop will:

• Provide an overview of new technologies and challenges related to the minerals and metals industry, in particular those related to AlSiCal´s products (alumina/aluminium, silica/silicon and calcium carbonate value chains).
• Position AlSiCal technology as a supplementary route to the existing alumina value chain. We will address the challenges of turning an unexploited domestic ore (anorthosite) into a resource for the alternative alumina production and boost symbiotic value chains cross sectorally.
• Discuss different perspectives related to sustainability, stewardship, R&D situation and needs in the minerals industry as well as challenges and roadmap for raw materials essential for the EU green transition.
• Foster future synergies with academia and industry.

This event is organised by European Aluminium and PNO with the support of Institute for Energy Technology (IFE). This event if free of charge.

With the global demand for critical raw materials (CRMs) on the rise, it's crucial to seek globally sustainable and fair solutions. The EU Commission is currently expanding strategic partnerships in order for securing access to CRMs for the defense sector and to support green and digital transitions. This panel discussion will explore the significance and shortcomings of such partnerships and trade relations, and discuss if environmental sustainability and respecting the rights of local communities and indigenous peoples can be maintained by this approach. Moreover, we will discuss the conditions necessary for strong, mutually beneficial international partnerships together with civil society representatives from (potential) partner countries. These requirements encompass aspects like local value addition, technology transfer, finance and respect of human rights and environmental laws. 

Organiser: EU Raw Materials Coalition, https://eurmc.org/

There are 40 electric batteries giga factories projects in Europe. The EU is designing a
“digital product passport”, component of the Green deal and is launching a “Blockchain
Batteries” initiative in the framework of Trace4EU. The EU’s Corporate Sustainability
Reporting Directive (CSRD) requires companies to report on their efforts to be sustainable
and their impact on people and the environment. The access to the strategic raw
materials and the credibility of the European initiatives above will depend to what extent
a transparent win-win trade where the industry develops and pay for the raw materials
at their fair price is secured and new partnerships are developed.

At a time of shift in global balances, and while the Democratic Republic of Congo, Zambia
and the USA have signed a MoU to build electric batteries plans in Africa, this side event
intends to explore a digital strategy on responsible sourcing of Cobalt, Coltan and Lithium
in East DRC based on a paradigm shift, developing a blockchain eco-system for new
economic development potential with and in the DRC and for global sustainable trade
facilitation while addressing the digital divide between countries.

For the EU High Representative Josep Borrell in a world of increasing geopolitical complexity
digital technologies can shift the balance of power and, as such must become a critically important
component of the EU’s foreign policy. This blockchain strategy should aim to have a strong
market structuring power while China controls 80% of the cobalt production in DRC.

In order to participate to this event, please send an e-mail to Raymond.vanermen@epe.be

Eurogypsum is delighted to invite you to the 6th Edition of the European Gypsum Recyclers Forum, which will take place on 16th November 2023 in Brussels, from 13.30 to 17.00 hrs, as part of the Eurogypsum Day at EU Raw Materials Week.

The European gypsum industry is particularly committed to sustainability in the supply of raw materials to produce solutions for today’s and tomorrow’s buildings. With expected demand rises in building renovation and construction, as well as increased pressure on supply, circular industrial practices are of utmost importance.

The event aims to being together specialists along the gypsum recycling supply chain, to review progress and work together to overcome obstacles along this path.

For this year’s edition of the Recyclers’ Forum, which is part of the EU Raw Materials Week, we look forward to discussing:

• latest regulatory developments, at EU and national level, and their impact on promoting circular practices;
• industry efforts to increase volumes of recyclable gypsum waste and encourage closed-loop recycling; and
• technological and economic challenges to a fully circular model.

And for the first time, the European Gypsum Recyclers Forum will have an intercontinental perspective, with an outlook on gypsum recycling in North America, with the participation of the US-based Gypsum Association.

This workshop aims to address the primary challenges confronting the automotive industry concerning raw materials while also showcasing new circularity solutions as opportunities to overcome these challenges. It will feature the participation of key stakeholders from the automotive sector, including car and car part manufacturers, technology providers, certification entities and research institutions.

Context:

The mining industry plays a crucial role in providing the raw materials that drive our modern world. However, traditional mining practices often come with substantial environmental and social impacts that are not to be underestimated. Environmental implications include deforestation, habitat destruction, water pollution, and significant greenhouse gas emissions while social implications can involve challenges such as labour issues and displacement of communities. In the pursuit of transitioning towards a more responsible mining future, our BIORECOVER project turns to bioleaching, a biotechnological approach that has emerged as a promising alternative. Bioleaching employs microorganisms to extract valuable minerals. By focusing on microorganisms' unique abilities, bioleaching offers several advantages that promise to transform the landscape of mining practices. Essentially, bioleaching offers the potential to extract minerals from deposits with lower concentrations of metal, and from mining waste streams. This is a significant advantage as it reduces the necessity for extensive mining operations, reduces hazardous waste, and addresses the challenge of diminishing ore quality. Ultimately, this approach helps reduce our reliance on traditional mining practices, while providing valuable materials for the energy transition.

Aim:

Organised by the BIORECOVER project, this event "How Can Microorganisms Contribute to a Responsible Mining Future?" aims to explore the potential of bioleaching in transforming the mining sector into an environmentally responsible and socially conscious industry that address the impact of mining. The goal is to discuss with experts about the potential benefits and challenges of bioleaching for a responsible mining future.