The International Raw Materials Observatory is joining forces with the European Federation of Geologists (EFG) and the Initiative on Forensic Geology (IFG), an initiative of the International Union of Geological Sciences (IUGS), to organise a workshop on the emerging scientific field of traceability of Critical Raw Materials (CRMs) on 14 November 2023, 14:00-18:00 CET, in Brussels and online.
The workshop entitled Responsible Sourcing and Traceability of CRM will be organised as a side event of the EU Raw Materials Week 2023.
About the workshop
Civilisation would not exist as we know it without the mineral resource upon which it relies. The future demand for critical geological raw materials is likely to increase significantly into the future. These materials include base metals, rare earth elements, platinum group metals (PGM), and certain metals such as cobalt, tungsten, tantalum and tin (3Ts) that mainly originate in areas of armed conflict. Their demand is driven by the need of new and alternative energy conversion technologies for the ‘Green Transition’, for information technology, and for the necessary infrastructure around the world. However, unfortunately, criminal activities may be often present in the supply-webs of these mineral raw materials. The respective beneficiaries are often well-organised syndicates, criminal gangs, cartels, or even terrorist groups.
The objective of this workshop is to provide an overview of how geologists, working together with international law enforcement, have an increasing role to help detect and deter crimes such as falsified documents of origin, theft, extortion, fakery, substitution, adulteration, and other fraud. Methods for provenance determination (predictive geolocation) and traceability are also presented to verify that such critical raw materials are responsibly sourced.
Presenters
- Laurance Donnely, IUGS-IFG
- Fabiana Di Lorenzo / Mrs. Anna Stancher, RMI
- Jean-Claude Guillaneau, BRGM
- Christopher Keane, AGI
- Nathan Williams, MineSpider
- Marko Komac, INTRAW & EFG
- Mieke Thierens, International Peace Information Service (IPIS)
- Ludivine Wouters, Latitude Five
Registration is free but please complete the following form to save your spot:
The event will be organised at the official venue of the EU Raw Materials Week 2023:
Hotel Le Plaza Brussels
Blvd Adolphe Max 118-126
1000 Brussels, Belgium
Considering the high interest in the event, online participation is also possible. Please note that not all of the presentations will be streamed.
14:00: Opening and Introduction – Prof Marko Komac, INTRAW and EFG PoE coordinator on Natural Hazards
14:05: Welcome – Glen Burridge, EFG
14:10: The role of an industry association in responsible sourcing – Dr. Fabiana Di Lorenzo, RMI
14:30: Minespider – Mine to Manufacturer Traceability – Mr. Nathan Williams, Founder & CEO, MineSpider
14:50: Sustainable investments with added value in Africa and responsible sourcing of CRM for Europe – Dr Jean-Claude Guillaneau, BRGM
15:10: An Overview of Crimes in the Global Mining, Minerals and Metals Industries and the Mitigation of Associated Risks – Dr Laurance Donnelly, IUGS-IFG and AHK (only for onsite participants)
15:30: Capital, Conscience, and Chains: US Challenges and Choices Post Dodd-Frank – Dr Christopher Keane, AGI
15:50: Question and Answer session – Prof Marko Komac, INTRAW and EFG PoE coordinator on Natural Hazards
16:10: Break
16:40: The Traceability and Provenance Determination of Minerals Associated with Illegal Mining and Illicit Minerals in the Global Supply Chain – Dr Laurance Donnelly, IUGS-IFG and AHK (only for onsite participants)
17:00: Balancing Criticality and Responsibility in Mineral Value Chains – Mieke Thierens, International Peace Information Service (IPIS), and Ludivine Wouters, Latitude Five
17:20: Discussion and Q&A Session – Prof Marko Komac, INTRAW and EFG PoE coordinator on Natural Hazards
17:50: Workshop closure – Vitor Correia, INTRAW
Event privacy policy
1 Data processing notice
The organiser of this event (International Raw Materials Observatory) is collecting the data you have provided for the registration to the Workshop on “Responsible Sourcing and Traceability of CRM” on 14 November 2023.
Your personal data are processed in accordance with the General Data Protection Regulation (EU) 2016/679.
The following personal data are collected: email address, first name, last name and the professional affiliation (optional). In the registration form, we also ask attendees if they would like to receive information about future INTRAW events.
The recipients of your data will be the staff of the International Raw Materials Observatory (INTRAW) in charge of the event organisation. Your data will not be shared with third parties and will not be used for other purposes than providing access to the event and informing interested persons about follow-up activities.
Your data will be kept for a maximum period of three months after the end of the event. Data will be automatically deleted at the end of this period.
You have the right to access your personal data and the right to correct any inaccurate or incomplete personal data. If you have any queries concerning the processing of your personal data, you may address them to info_at_intraw.eu.
2 Notice of filming, photography and audio recording
Photography, audio and video recording may occur during the event for communication and promotional purposes. By attending this event, you consent to interview(s), photography, audio recording, video recording and its/their release, publication, exhibition, or reproduction to be used for communications and promotional purposes on websites, social media, newsletters and other publications by the event organisers. You release the organisers of the event, its staff, and each and all persons involved from any liability connected with the taking, recording, digitising, or publication and use of interviews, photographs, computer images, video and/or sound recordings.
If you do not notify the organisers that you do not want to be filmed, recorded or photographed, you waive all rights you may have to any claim for the use of your image for communication activities related to the event.
You have the right to choose not to be filmed or photographed during the event. Please notify us (info_at_intraw.eu) of your wish to not be featured on websites, social media, newsletters and other publications.
You have been fully informed of your consent, waiver of liability, and release before entering the event.