With more than 80 participants already confirmed and a strong lineup of poster presentations, SLO Tallinn 2025 promises to offer a rare and timely opportunity to explore how public trust is earned — and sometimes lost — in the field of resource exploration.

But beyond concepts and frameworks, it’s the people in the room who make the conversation matter. We are proud to welcome a diverse group of speakers who each bring grounded, real-world insight into how social licence to operate is evolving across Europe and beyond.

Featured Speakers

Sirli Sipp Kulli (Geological Survey of Estonia)
Director of EGT and trained in chemical technology, Sirli brings both scientific and institutional leadership to the dialogue around Estonia’s geological strategy and exploration priorities.

Tapani Veistola (Finnish Association for Nature Conservation)
One of Finland’s most experienced environmental advocates, Tapani has been at the forefront of forest and mining policy debates for decades and offers a sharp civil society perspective.

Pamela Lesser (Lapland University Consortium)
A researcher and policy advisor, Pamela has worked extensively on the SLO concept in the Arctic context and at the European policy level, including with the global IRMA standard.

Rauno Sairinen (University of Eastern Finland)
Professor of Environmental Policy and director of the RESOURCE research community, Rauno is one of the leading thinkers on the governance of natural resources in Europe.

Juha Kaija (Geological Survey of Finland)
A geologist with over 25 years of experience in EU-funded projects, Juha is currently coordinating several major Horizon Europe initiatives on deep exploration and mineral policy.

Toni Eerola (Geological Survey of Finland)
A geologist and environmental policy scholar, Toni is a core organiser of SLO Tallinn 2025 and will open the conference by framing the connections between science, responsibility, and trust.

Erki Peegel (Geological Survey of Estonia)
A seasoned strategic communication expert, Erki will present on public attitudes toward phosphorite exploration in Estonia — a topic with deep historical and social resonance.

Triin Vihalemm (University of Tartu)
Professor of Communication Studies, Triin brings insight into how societal narratives, trust, and public identity shape the reception of complex policy issues — including resource governance.

Juha M. Kotilainen (University of Eastern Finland)
A postdoctoral researcher focusing on multilevel governance and the social acceptance of the green transition, Juha contributes a vital systems-level lens to the discussion.

Jussi Lähde (Latitude 66 Cobalt Oy)
Journalist, former presidential spokesperson, and now public affairs lead for a Finnish exploration company, Jussi brings a uniquely broad view to public discourse and mining strategy.

Perttu Mikkola (Geological Survey of Finland)
With roots in bedrock mapping and European geological data projects, Perttu brings both practical and digital insight into how we understand — and manage — what lies below.

Nike Luodes (Geological Survey of Finland)
A specialist in land use and environmental geoengineering, Nike’s work addresses the interface between geological knowledge, spatial planning, and social responsibility.

Gregory Poelzer (Luleå University of Technology)
Gregory’s research focuses on procedural legitimacy and trust in mining contexts, and he brings deep comparative insight from both European and Canadian case studies.

Leena Suopajärvi (University of Lapland)
A sociologist researching the lived experience of mining in northern Finland, Leena will speak on factors leading to mining resistance — a topic increasingly relevant across Europe.

Sam Whittlesey (LGI Sustainable Innovation)
A policy and sustainability advisor working on European innovation projects, Sam contributes a global and systems-thinking approach to mining, climate adaptation, and equity.

Special Screening: Europe’s Lithium Paradox

In addition to keynote sessions and panel discussions, the conference will also feature a special screening of the documentary “Europe’s Lithium Paradox” (2025), directed by Peter Tom Jones from KU Leuven’s Institute for Sustainable Metals and Minerals.

The film examines Europe’s ambition to become self-sufficient in lithium — a critical element in the green energy transition — and the societal challenges that come with it. Through interviews, on-the-ground footage, and sharp commentary, the documentary raises pressing questions:

• Can we mine responsibly?

• What does local acceptance mean in practice?

• And how can Europe lead without losing public trust?

The screening will be followed by a short facilitated discussion on the broader implications of the film in the Nordic-Baltic context.

Watch the trailer here: www.journeyman.tv/film/8842/europes-lithium-paradox