Participant Statistics
The CRM for a Sustainable Future conference attracted a diverse audience, bringing together a total of 155 participants.
The conference attracted 84 on-site participants from various influential organizations, with a strong representation from Estonia, which accounted for 46 attendees. Notably, key Estonian institutions included:
- Geological Survey of Estonia: 15 participants
- Tallinn University of Technology: 10 participants
- University of Tartu: 8 participants
- Ministry of Climate: 5 participants
Internationally, the conference welcomed participants from several countries, including:
- Denmark: 5 participants from the Geological Survey of Denmark and Greenland
- Finland: 8 participants from the Geological Survey of Finland and others
- United Kingdom: 5 participants from the British Geological Survey
In addition, participants were from Albania, Latvia, Belgium, Greece, Germany, Italy, Norway, and Sweden. This diversity of attendees showcased a broad interest in CRM issues, spanning government, academia, and industry sectors.
Online attendance included 71 participants from a wider geographic range, including Estonia, Latvia, Belgium, Canada, the USA, Australia, Pakistan, and Morocco. This diverse representation underscored the global relevance of the discussions surrounding CRM.
We especially want to thank all of our distinguished speakers and presenters who provided invaluable insights into the importance of Critical Raw Materials (CRMs) for Europe's future. From discussions on innovative exploration techniques to sustainable mining practices, each presentation highlighted the critical role CRMs play in modern society and the pressing need to ensure a secure and sustainable supply.
Brief Summary of the Event
On the first day, we delved into the potential of CRMs in Scandinavia and their implications for the Baltic States. Keynote speaker Erik Jonsson from the Swedish Geological Survey (SGU) discussed the untapped potential of the Nordic region for addressing Europe’s CRM needs. Throughout the day, presentations covered topics such as re-investigating historical drill cores in Estonia, lithium pegmatites, and exploring Estonian phosphorites as unconventional rare earth element resources. The poster session further enriched the day with innovative projects and lively discussions.
The second day explored cutting-edge exploration techniques, including Vesä Nykänen’s keynote on using machine learning for CRM prospectivity mapping, and presentations on environmentally friendly exploration methods. We also explored CRM processing and valorization, with a keynote by Saija Luukkanen discussing value chains in CRM extraction and various talks on developing sustainable practices for the CRM industry. The final session addressed environmental, social, and governance (ESG) challenges, with a keynote by Toni Eerola on the evolution of the Finnish mining-sceptical movement and its impact on the green energy transition.
We would also like to express our gratitude to the organizing team, session chairs, and all the behind-the-scenes contributors who worked tirelessly to make this event a success.
Conference Materials
For those who were unable to attend or would like to revisit the presentations, we are pleased to announce that the conference materials, including slide PDFs, are now available for download here. Additionally, photos from the event can be viewed here, and select presentation videos have been uploaded to the EGT-TWINN YouTube channel here.
Once again, thank you to everyone who contributed to and attended the CRM Conference 2024. We look forward to continuing the discussion and collaboration around CRMs, ensuring a sustainable future for Europe.
