Task 3.1

Exploration, exploitation and CRM conferences

Task 3.1 Exploration, exploitation and CRM conferences at EGT

Action 3.1.1: Conference on exploration and exploitation of critical raw materials (CRM).

This 2-day conference is planned as a follow-up from Action 2.5.1, in the context of the European Green Deal and requirements of critical raw materials to facilitate the green energy transition. Presentations will include an overview of state-of-the-art techniques used at partner national surveys, academic international institutions and businesses. A special focus will be on the challenges for the national economy and businesses lacking access to mineral resources. A keynote speaker will be invited from the Center for Minerals and Materials within GEUS, which was established in 2013 with the objective to analyse the impact of access to critical raw materials on Danish society and Danish businesses. Learnings on the identification of challenges and opportunities in reuse of mineral resources will form a core part of the keynote.


Action 3.1.2: Workshop and Conference on Social License to Explore (SLE) & Social License to Operate (SLO) and Green Mining Concepts

The proposed workshop and related conference are focussed on a modern approach for mineral exploration and SLO/ SLE. The conference relates strongly to GTK’s expertise in sustainable natural resources management. There will be a two-day workshop on SLE and SLO, which will be organised at EGT’s Arbavere Georesources Research Centre with theoretical and practical participatory learning and co-production with GTK’s experts and invited lecturers. Some of the topics covered will include corporate social responsibility (CSR)  environmental, social, and business risks and conflicts in mineral exploration, communication and stakeholder engagement exercises. The workshop is intended for EGT, Estonian Ministry of Environment and Ministry of Economics, mineral exploration companies, mining authorities, universities, consultancy companies, and local community representatives from the future phosphorite mining region. The third day will be an International Social License to Operate conference to be held in Tallinn. The main goal of this event is to raise public awareness onSLO/SLE in Estonia. Invited SLO and SLE specialists will present their findings from the recent EU-funded (MIREU, IMPACT, NEXT) and national projects.