CIRAN Participates in the European Raw Materials Clustering Event in Sevilla, Spain

On the 16th and 17th of October 2024, CIRAN proudly participated in the European Raw Materials Clustering Event held at the Hotel Occidental Sevilla Viapol. Organised by the Iberian Sustainable Mining Cluster and the ICAMCyL Foundation, this event received the support of the EU-funded projects S34I, MADITRACE, and TERRAVISION.

The EURAW Clustering Event was structured over two days, focusing on distinct themes of research and industry in the realm of Critical Raw Materials (CRMs), paving the way for a sustainable future. The first day featured four parallel sessions on ground-breaking EU-funded research projects, setting up a perfect space for the dissemination of diverse developments across the European research & innovation agenda, and fostering curiosity and dialogue among these initiatives and the audience:

Parallel Session 1: Raw Materials Exploration

This session’s keynote on the latest developments in exploration technologies for ensuring EU Raw Materials Supply was delivered by Pier Carlo Ricci, Professor of Solid-State Experimental Physics at the University of Cagliari. This was followed by the presentation and panel discussion moderated by Almudena Sánchez González (GMV) with the participation of these EU projects:

• TERRAVISION – ICCS
• EIS – GTK
• GOLDENRAM – VTT
• DEEPBEAT – lC InnoConsult
• AGEMERA – Instituto de Geociencias (IGEO), CSIC
• MULTIMINER – GTK
• S34I – University of Salamanca

Parallel Session 3: Sustainability

CIRAN participated in this session, moderated by Anna Jorquera (ISMC) and introduced by Shervin Shahvi, Research Fellow at the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering at Imperial College London, and the keynote speech titled “The Importance of Circularity and Sustainable Technologies in Raw Materials”. Alongside CIRAN, the session showcased success stories in sustainability and circularity from the following projects:

• ISLANDR – GTK
• WIDEX – Technical University of Košice (TUKE)
• BATMASS – Politecnico di Milano
• RAWMINA – LEITAT
• FUTURAM – BRGM

Parallel Session 4: Traceability Technologies

This session’s keynote, titled “The Impact of Raw Materials Traceability on the EU Supply Chain”, was addressed by Daniel Monfort Climent, Geologist Engineer and Senior Project Manager at the French Geological Survey (BRGM) and Coordinator of the MaDiTraCe project. Again, various EU projects were presented and participated in the panel discussion focused on how traceability can enhance the sustainability and efficiency of the raw materials supply chain:

• DIGINTRACE – ICCS
• CERA4IN1 – DMT
• TWINVECTOR – Tomas Bata University
• CE-RISE – NILU
• Neo-cycle – Idener
• Circular Tech

Best Practices in Advanced Processing, Sustainability, Exploration, and Traceability: Experiences from the Industry stakeholders

The EURAW Clustering Event also showcased best practices in the industry sector of CRMs, particularly in advanced processing technologies, sustainability requirements, exploration, and traceability techniques. Notable contributions were made by spin-offs and SMEs that are generating significant impact in these areas. Among those, the following are particularly intertwined with the CIRAN objectives:

• TERRADAT: This Spanish office specialises in geospatial data and offers innovative solutions that enhance exploration efforts and improve decision-making processes. Learn more about TERRADAT.
• CINCLUS: Particularly relevant for CIRAN, CINCLUS focuses on sustainable solutions in the mining sector, promoting the efficient use of resources and minimizing environmental impact. Discover CINCLUS.
• TERRANIGMA: Known for its cutting-edge technologies, TERRANIGMA is dedicated to providing sustainable solutions that support the circular economy in raw materials. Explore TERRANIGMA.

The presence and contributions of these organisations highlight the vital role that innovative SMEs and spin-offs play in driving advancements in raw materials management.

The EURAW Clustering Event also aligned with the International Mining and Minerals Hall (MMH) fair, taking place from 15 to 17 October 2024 at the Palace of Exhibitions and Congresses (FIBES) in Seville. The fifth edition of the MMH has emerged as a significant gathering for the mining sector worldwide, reinforcing its status as the only event of its kind in Europe. Finally, a key highlight of the event was the opportunity for match-making and discussions around new collaborations for future calls. Participants were encouraged to explore synergies and potential partnerships that could drive innovation and sustainability in the mining sector. Overall, the inaugural edition of the EURAW Clustering Event was received with enormous support and active participation, reflected in the event figures (data provided by the organisers):

• 137 attendees
• 28 EU-funded projects involved
• 81 industry stakeholders actively participated
• 16 academic institutions represented
• 21 research centres engaged

CIRAN extends its gratitude to the organisers for offering the project the opportunity to participate, and thanks them for their excellent organisation and support in making this event a success. CIRAN looks forward to building on the connections made during the event and continuing its collaboration with partners and stakeholders to advance sustainable practices within the mining sector.

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