Critical Raw Materials Days: discover the resources that shape our future
Critical raw materials (MPCs) are today a strategic pillar for global industrial and technological development. From the energy transition to economic competitiveness, their availability shapes our tomorrow.
The Critical Raw Materials Days are a joint initiative of the universities of the Arqus Alliance (Padova, Granada, Minho, Vilnius and Wroclaw) to explore the importance of these resources, address sustainability challenges and promote responsible management.
The Program
The initiative includes online seminars in English and a special in-person event in Padova. All activities are informative and are aimed at a non-specialized audience.
Online Sessions
- March 9 | 6:00 p.m. – Inaugural Lecture
Title: Critical Raw Materials: The invisible resources shaping our future
Rapporteur: Concepción Fernández-Leyva (Policy Officer at the CSIC office in Brussels).
Content: An analysis of the importance of MPCs for the green and digital transition in Europe and the main policy and sustainability challenges.
- March 25 | 6:00 p.m. – Closing Round Table
Title: Conversations on Critical Raw Materials: The hidden resources behind modern life
Moderator: Teresa Maria Fernandes Valente (Portugal), expert in environmental impact mining.
Speakers: An international panel of experts from Poland, Spain, Portugal, Italy (Paolo Nimis) and Lithuania will discuss secondary source recovery, sustainable mining strategies and European mining potential.
Face-to-face event in Padova (in Italian)
- March 17 | 9:00 p.m. – Museum of Nature and Man
Title: "Critical raw materials, rare earths, strategic minerals... Let's make it clear."
Speakers: Paolo Nimis and Gabriella Salviulo.
What will we do: A meeting to clarify key concepts and opportunities related to the MPCs, without forgetting the human rights issues related to mining. At the end, it will be possible to observe and handle different mineral samples together with the teachers.
How to participate
Participation is free, but enrolment is required to receive links to online sessions or to reserve a place in Padova.
For more details and to consult the full profiles of the speakers, visit the official Arqus website.