A Seminar  hosted by IVA- the Royal Swedish Academy of Engineering Sciences- on 17 February heard “How the Swedish Mining Industry can strengthen Europe’s supply of Critical Raw Materials (CRMs)”.  It included speakers from the UK, Sweden, Finland, Australia, Canada, the EU, the USA, the World Bank and  Anglo American.

Some key messages ;

• The important role of Sweden and Finland in sourcing CRMs
• Bilateral agreements replacing global arrangements
• International engagement needed to secure EU supplies with a role for EU countries in the technology supply chains of exploration, development and equipment. Geoscience Ireland members  provide a range of services to the CRM Supply Chain, including geological assessments and surveys, mineral exploration, drilling services and equipment , geophysical and geochemical surveying, environmental, geotechnical and civil engineering
• Regional collaboration needed within EU to source and develop CRMs; a Nordic road map emerging might provide templates for other European states.

IVA is a member of CAETS  – the International Council of Academies of Engineering and Technological Societies- of which the Irish Academy of Engineers is also a member.

The link is  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jvPj7VfO8IM