DEXPLORE EU Project, TERRAVISION EU Project and UNDERCOVER joined forces to host this first clustering activity during Raw Materials Week 2025. As coordinators of DEXPLORE, ISMC led the session to connect expertise, align methodologies and shape shared pathways for Europe’s strategic autonomy in critical raw materials. A strong step towards greater collaboration, tool interoperability and a more impactful future for CRM exploration.

Hosted in Brussels, the session gathered researchers, industry representatives, technology developers and institutional actors to exchange insights and develop a common understanding of the challenges and opportunities ahead.

A Strategic Opening: The Importance of Alignment and Collaboration

The event was opened and closed by Santiago Cuesta López-López, ISMC General Director and DEXPLORE Coordinator, who emphasised the growing need for collaboration across European CRM projects. His message focused on three pillars essential for progress in deep-land exploration:

• stronger scientific and technical cooperation,

• harmonised data integration,

• long-term alignment across EU-funded initiatives.

These foundations, he highlighted, will be key to building efficient and resilient CRM value chains in Europe.

Session 1: Exploration Projects Overview & Strategic Alignment

The first session provided a broader strategic and institutional perspective.
Gerardo Herrera (IGME & European Commission DG GROW) opened with an overview of EU priorities for CRM supply, setting the context for enhanced project collaboration.

This was followed by Laura Quijano, PhD (ISMC), who outlined the growing synergies between DEXPLORE, UNDERCOVER and TERRAVISION, reinforcing the added value of aligning methodologies and technological approaches.

The session continued with project contributions from:

• Patricia Cadenas Martínez (TerraDat Geophysics) – insights from DEXPLORE,

• Tero Niiranen (Geological Survey of Finland – GTK) – updates from UNDERCOVER,

• Mario Morales Cárdenas (SINTEF) – an overview of TERRAVISION.

Together, these perspectives connected geophysics, geology, data science and remote sensing as key enablers of sustainable CRM exploration.

Session 2: Technical Synergies & Shared Challenges

This session focused on the technologies shaping the future of deep-land exploration.

Experts presented cutting-edge methods in subsurface imaging, advanced geophysics, AI-supported interpretation and sensor development:

• Andreas Knobloch (Beak) – the DEEPBEAT workflow for subsurface imaging,

• Anton Koval (LTU) – contributions from MINOTAUR and PERSEPHONE,

• Sean Salazar (NGI) – new insights from MINEYE,

• Malcolm Aranha (HIF–HZDR) – sensor innovation from SEMACRET,

• Jari Joutsenvaara (University of Oulu) – the AGEMERA perspective on integrated geoscience tools.

These interventions demonstrated the complementary innovations emerging across Europe and underscored the value of shared learning in developing next-generation exploration solutions.

Session 3: Stakeholders Workshop – Data, Sustainability and User Needs

The final session encouraged open dialogue among institutions, researchers, industry and technology providers.

Irati Icardo (DG Budget) opened with insights from the STEP Task Force, setting the policy context for long-term investment and EU competitiveness.

The conversation then moved to sustainability and operational needs, with contributions from:

• Nikoleta Kontogianni (MNLT) – sustainability considerations for exploration

• Pedro Pereira (Terradue) – data interoperability and standardisation

• Stefanos Kokkorikos (CORE) – user-centric requirements for real operational environments.

A dynamic panel moderated by Clara Balbín (ISMC) promoted cross-project interaction, followed by closing remarks from Patricia Núñez (ISMC), who summarised the outcomes and next steps for collaboration.

A Strong Step Forward for Europe’s CRM Innovation Landscape

Exploring Together showcased the collective strength of Horizon Europe projects working on CRM exploration. By aligning methodologies, strengthening data interoperability, and building long-term collaboration frameworks, these initiatives are helping Europe secure the sustainable and responsible supply of critical raw materials required for the green and digital transitions.

ISMC, as coordinator of DEXPLORE and an active driver of innovation in the sector, reaffirms its commitment to supporting a resilient and competitive European CRM ecosystem—built on scientific excellence, technological innovation, and international cooperation.