Final Event of the European Project S34I in Vigo
The S34I consortium is pleased to announce its final public conference, entitled “Exploring EARTH, Empowering Europe”, to be held on 12 June 2025 in Vigo, Spain.
Organised by ISMC with the support of the University of Porto as project coordinator, and with the active involvement of all consortium partners, the event will serve as a key platform for knowledge sharing, policy dialogue, and showcasing innovation in the field of sustainable and responsible mining.
A Landmark Venue for a Shared Mission
The event will take place at the Museo do Mar de Vigo, a landmark location that symbolises the project’s commitment to sustainability, scientific heritage, and international collaboration.
The conference will be held in a hybrid format, with live streaming available for remote attendees. However, in-person attendance is strongly encouraged in order to take full advantage of networking opportunities, stakeholder interaction, and informal exchanges that only face-to-face participation can offer.
A Key Forum for Science, Policy, and Industry
Morning Session: Unlocking the Future of Sustainable Exploration
The day will begin with a session focused on the outcomes of the S34I project and knowledge transfer activities, led by the University of Porto. This will be followed by a clustering session featuring presentations from pioneering European projects in the field of strategic raw materials:
M4mining | Agnar Sivertsen, NORCE Norwegian Research Centre
GAIA TSF | Jan Růžička, Cybele Space
Terravision | Valantis Tsiakos, ICCS
GSEU | Francisco Javier González, Geological and Mining Institute of Spain (IGME)
GoldenRAM | Marko Savolainen, VTT
Undercover | Luis Martins, ACPMR Cluster Portugal Mineral Resources
Fierce Project | Michele Rubino, EIT RawMaterials
The morning session will conclude with a roundtable discussion exploring:
“Challenges and Opportunities in Sustainable Raw Materials Exploration: Is Innovation Enough to Achieve Europe’s Strategic Autonomy?”
Afternoon Session: The Stakeholder Imperative – A Shared Vision for the Future of Mining
Entitled “The Stakeholder Imperative: Different Perspectives on a Shared Mining Future”, the afternoon session will bring together influential voices from policy, industry, academia, and technology.
Keynote Address
Dr Arnoldus M. van der Hurk, an international expert in critical raw materials, geopolitics, and sustainable development, will deliver a strategic keynote on Europe’s resource dependencies and innovation pathways.
High-Level Elevator Pitches:
Policy & Strategy: “Strategic Autonomy and the Critical Raw Materials Act: The EU’s Vision in Action”
Gerardo Herrera, DG GROW – European CommissionIndustry: “Cobre San Rafael – Atalaya Mining: A Business Perspective on Sustainable Mining”
Fernando Díaz Riopa, General Director, Cobre San RafaelPublic Sector: “Regulatory and Institutional Challenges in the Mining Sector”
Irene Pérez Cáceres, Head of the Technical Office, Official Mining Chamber of GaliciaAcademia: “Geoscience Research and Its Role in Responsible Mining”
Prof Dr Luis Miguel Varela, University of Santiago de CompostelaInnovation & Technology: “Technology Transfer and Innovation for a Sustainable Industry”
Dr Álvaro Silva Teira, AIMEN Technological Centre
The day will conclude with a second roundtable discussion on:
“Sustainability in Mining: Balancing Innovation, Social Responsibility and Long-term Solutions”, featuring the keynote speaker and a selection of key stakeholders.