CIRAN Consortium and External Experts meet in Ljubljana, Slovenia – Advancing Discussions on Social Contracts and Project Milestones

Ljubljana, Slovenia | 18-20 February 2025

The CIRAN Consortium gathered in Ljubljana, Slovenia, for an engaging three-day meeting, combining a field visit, expert discussions, and strategic planning. Organised by the project coordinator, INTRAW, the event provided an opportunity for partners and External Experts to advance key project objectives and set the course for CIRAN’s final year. This meeting was held back-to-back with the 2025 International RoundTable for Materials Criticality (IRTC), fostering synergies between CIRAN and broader discussions on Critical Raw Materials globally. More information about IRTC 2025 is available here.

Exploring the Idrija UNESCO Global Geopark

The meeting commenced on 18 February with a field trip to the Idrija UNESCO Global Geopark, offering participants a first-hand look at the region’s geological heritage and mining history. The visit included a guided presentation by the Geopark team, an exploration of the Frančiška Shaft, and a tour of the mine’s geological collection. The field visit set the stage for the following day’s discussions on sustainable mining and social contracts in protected areas.

WP6 Workshop on Social Contracts and Decision-Making

On 19 February, CIRAN hosted an interactive workshop focused on decision-making in permitting processes for mining in naturally protected areas. External Experts and project partners engaged in simulation-based discussions, exploring pathways toward sustainable extraction and social contract models. The workshop was centered around the Green Valley Mining Project, an hypothetical case study designed to stimulate discussion on balancing economic development with environmental protection and community engagement.

Participants worked through two key scenarios:

• Balancing Growth and Community Needs – Participants, taking on the role of a lead permitting officer, assessed the social contract proposed by a mining company for a tungsten project in Slovenia. They debated how to ensure community concerns were addressed while facilitating responsible resource extraction.
• Transforming Regulatory Requirements into Value-Creating Opportunities – Participants stepped into the shoes of a Chief Strategy Officer, tasked with turning strict environmental and social regulations into innovative business strategies that align with the EU’s Critical Raw Materials Act (CRMA).

Through group exercises and policy discussions, attendees formulated strategic approaches to enhance stakeholder engagement, environmental responsibility, and long-term value creation for mining projects in protected areas.

The day concluded with an apéro-dinner and an avant-première screening of the documentary “Not in My Country: Serbia’s Lithium Dilemma“, offered by the IRTC and followed by a panel discussion featuring industry and academic experts. Presented by Peter Tom Jones (Director KU Leuven Institute for Sustainable Metals and Minerals – SIM2) and produced by SIM2 & Storyrunner, find an overview of impressions from the event here.

Consortium Meeting and Strategic Planning

On 20 February, CIRAN partners convened to review the project’s progress, assess milestones, and discuss the roadmap for its final year. Discussions centered on the way forward for Work Packages 5, 6, and 7, ensuring alignment with project objectives. The Consortium also confirmed that the next in-person Consortium Meeting will take place in June 2025, when a physical CIRAN Forum meeting is planned – stay tuned for more!

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