17 Mar PROMETIA’s first podcast episode: From Mineral Exploration to Sustainable Mining – Shaping the Future of Critical Raw Materials
The mining industry is undergoing a significant transformation, driven by the growing demand for critical raw materials essential to powering modern technologies, from solar panels and wind turbines to smartphones and electric vehicles. These materials are more crucial than ever to the global shift toward sustainability and technological advancement.
To explore these changes, PROMETIA was invited to the Pardon My Planet podcast, hosted by Anne-Charlotte Costabadie from LGI Sustainable Innovation, for a deep dive into the evolving mining sector. This episode centers on the role of critical raw materials and their future in Europe, where sustainability and innovation are becoming increasingly important.
In this insightful conversation, Stéphane Bourg, the president of PROMETIA, provides expert insights into the growing demand for raw materials and the mining industry’s response to meet these needs while minimizing environmental impact. He is joined by Jamie Newall, CEO of Quest Critical Metals and an active partner in the EU-funded EIS (Exploration Information System) project. The EIS project is focused on using advanced digital tools to improve mineral exploration and reduce the environmental footprint of the industry. Together, they discuss how innovations like EIS are shaping the future of mineral extraction, making it more efficient and sustainable.
In this insightful episode, Stéphane Bourg shares his expertise on the future of mining in Europe, the role of critical raw materials, and how the industry is adapting to meet the growing demand for resources while striving to minimize environmental impact.
Tune in to hear more about how the mining industry is adapting to meet global demands for critical raw materials while ensuring a sustainable and innovative future.
Key Insights from the Episode:
1. Digital Tools Revolutionizing Mineral Exploration
One of the standout themes of the conversation is the positive impact that digital tools are having on mineral exploration and discovery. With advancements in geospatial data analysis, new geomodels, and the Exploration Information System (EIS) project, the mining industry is now able to conduct mineral exploration in a more precise, efficient, and less disruptive manner. This shift not only helps companies identify resources more accurately but also reduces the environmental impact of exploration.
The EIS project, funded by Horizon Europe, develops novel tools for spatial data analysis, making the exploration process faster and cost-effective while minimizing its environmental footprint.
2. Securing Europe’s Critical Raw Materials Supply
Another key topic explored is the Critical Raw Materials (CRM) Act, which plays an essential role in ensuring that Europe’s supply of critical raw materials is secure. As demand for materials such as lithium, cobalt, and rare earth elements grows, the European Union is focusing on strengthening its raw materials strategy. This includes securing both domestic supply and reducing dependency on imports.
The ongoing efforts, supported by EU-funded projects like EIS and SCRREEN3, are aimed at diversifying and securing the supply of critical raw materials, ensuring that Europe remains competitive in the global market while maintaining its commitment to sustainability.
3. Sustainable Mining Practices for Rising Demand
As demand for critical raw materials continues to rise, there is a growing need for mining practices that are more sustainable and responsible. The industry is under increasing pressure to reduce its environmental impact, and it is making strides in developing practices that balance the extraction of resources with ecological responsibility.
Stéphane Bourg, president of PROMETIA, emphasizes that sustainability is not just about reducing the environmental footprint—it’s also about responsible sourcing, recycling, and enhancing the circular economy. PROMETIA’s work focuses on innovation in mineral processing and extractive metallurgy, which is essential to making mining operations more efficient and less harmful to the environment.
4. Collaboration, Knowledge Sharing and the Role of Younger Generations
The future of the mining industry depends on collaboration. In the episode, experts highlight the importance of knowledge sharing between industry players, researchers, and policymakers. Collaboration across borders and industries is critical to addressing the complex challenges faced by the sector today.
Moreover, the conversation touches on the importance of involving younger generations in reshaping the mining industry. As the sector faces the dual challenge of meeting rising demand for raw materials while also reducing its environmental impact, the next generation of professionals will play a key role in driving innovation and sustainability.
About PROMETIA and EIS
PROMETIA is an international non-profit association dedicated to promoting innovation in mineral processing and extractive metallurgy. Over the last decade, PROMETIA has been at the forefront of efforts to advance mining and recycling of raw materials, developing sustainable and efficient processes that benefit both the industry and the environment.
EIS (Exploration Information System) is a Horizon Europe-funded project aimed at improving mineral exploration through the development of new geomodels and spatial data analysis tools. These innovations help make mineral exploration more precise, efficient, and less disruptive, supporting the mining industry in its mission to meet the growing demand for critical raw materials.
Tune In to the Podcast
To dive deeper into the conversation and learn more about the future of mining and critical raw materials, listen to the full episode of Pardon My Planet here.. You can also catch the episode on Spotify or Apple Podcasts.
