Critical Raw Materials Days: discover the resources shaping our future
Critical raw materials (CRMs) are now 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 (Padua, Granada, Minho, Vilnius and Wroclaw) to explore the importance of these resources, address the challenges of sustainability and promote responsible management.
The Programme
The initiative includes online seminars in English and a special in-person event in Padua. All activities are outreach-oriented and aimed at a non-specialist audience.
Online Sessions (in English)
- 9 March | 18:00 – Opening Lecture
Title: Critical Raw Materials: The invisible resources shaping our future
Speaker: Concepción Fernández-Leyva (Policy Officer at the CSIC office in Brussels).
Content: An analysis of the importance of CRMs for Europe’s green and digital transition and the main policy and sustainability challenges.
- 25 March | 18:00 – Closing Round Table
Title: Conversations on Critical Raw Materials: The hidden resources behind modern life
Moderator: Teresa Maria Fernandes Valente (Portugal), expert in mining environmental impacts.
Speakers: An international panel of experts from Poland, Spain, Portugal, Italy (Paolo Nimis) and Lithuania will discuss recovery from secondary sources, sustainable extraction strategies and Europe’s mining potential.
In-person event in Padua (in Italian)
- 17 March | 21:00 – Museum of Nature and Humankind
Title: “Critical raw materials, rare earths, strategic minerals… let’s clear things up a bit”
Speakers: Paolo Nimis and Gabriella Salviulo.
What we will do: A meeting to clarify key concepts and opportunities related to CRMs, without overlooking the human rights issues connected to mining activities. At the end, it will be possible to observe and handle various mineral samples together with the lecturers.
How to take part
Participation is free of charge, but registration is required to receive the links to the online sessions or to reserve a place in Padua.
For further details and to view the speakers’ full profiles, visit the official Arqus website.