SESSION 1
Initiatives for the sustainability and resilience of the Raw Materials sector
Under the recently published CRMA, the European Commission intends to ensure that raw material supplies are not only secure, but also obtained through sustainable practices, ultimately contributing to the EU’s twin transition and long-term prosperity. This session aims to emphasize the main pillars of the CRMA, including the Development of the CRM value chain in the EU, Boosting the diversification of supply and partnering in a mutually beneficial manner in support of global production, and Fostering sustainable sourcing and promoting circularity. Risks and challenges encountered in the implementation of the CRMA will be analysed. Key aspects to be explored include the investment potential and the impact of the Greek raw materials industry on strengthening the resilience and competitiveness of the EU raw material supply chains.
| Driving Growth: Greece’s Strategic Role in the EU and Sustainable Raw Materials Supply Chains |  | Christos Balaskas – Vice President, Commercial, Growth and External Relations (Greece), Eldorado Gold | President, Hellas Gold | President & CEO, Thrace Minerals & Thracean Gold Mining |
| Prinos CO2 Storage Project |  | Dr. Paschalia Kiomourtzi – Subsurface Lead on Prinos Asset (offshore Greece), Energean PLC |
| Securing a European critical raw material supply for generations to come: The Molaoi Project, Greece (zinc/silver/lead/germanium) |  | Georgios Vlahos – Supervising Mining Engineer, Hellenic Minerals S.A., Rockfire Resources plc |
| National Steps towards the Implementation of the CRM Act | 
| Peter Tzeferis – General Director of Mineral Raw Materials, Secretariat General for Energy and Mineral Raw Materials, Hellenic Ministry of the Environment and Energy Eleftherios Vasileiadis – Advisor, Secretariat General for Energy and Mineral Raw Materials, Hellenic Ministry of the Environment and Energy |
| The Critical Raw Materials Act. What next? |  | Mark Rachovides – Em. President, Euromines |
SESSION 2
The need to innovate and the conditions to implement – Bridging the gap
Innovation in the area of Critical and Strategic Raw Materials is of paramount importance for the EU due to the increasing demand for these resources, the geopolitical risks related to their supply, and their essential role in high-tech industries, renewable energy, and defence. However, the successful implementation of innovations requires a supportive ecosystem, including sufficient funding, appropriate regulatory frameworks, skilled scientific and technical workforce and collaboration between academia, industry, and governments. The objective of this session is to highlight the challenges related to bridging the gap between the development of technological innovation and its transfer and full-scale application. The session will focus on the innovation dynamics of the Greek raw materials sector, pathways for innovation commercialisation and creation and support of business opportunities.
| Digging into the Future: Accelerating Mining Digital Transformation from Pit to Processing |  | Stefanos Kokkorikos – Co-Founder and Managing Partner, CORE Group |
| Hyperspectral Imaging(HSI) from Exploration to Mineral Classification |  | Georgios Tsimiklis – Researcher & Scientific Project Manager, I-SENSE Group, Institute of Communication and Computer Systems (ICCS) |
| How to Cross a Valley |  | Efthymios Balomenos – Assistant Professor, School of Mining and Metallurgical Engineering, NTUA |
SESSION 3
Funding opportunities in the Raw Materials sector
The EU raw materials industry offers significant investment potential, making it an attractive opportunity for stakeholders interested in future-secured ventures driven by the growing demand for sustainable and resilient supply chains. In parallel, realizing these funding opportunities requires addressing key challenges, including regulatory barriers, technological gaps, and the need for transparent practices. The session will highlight the need to secure financial support and increase investments to mobilise business cases on sustainable mining, metallurgical and recycling practices of Critical and Strategic Raw Materials. By delving into the industry’s current landscape and future scenarios, the session will provide important insights related to the economic growth of the raw materials sector, ensuring the EU’s long-term stability and prosperity.
| Investing in responsible Mining, Challenges & Opportunities in Greece |  | Athanasios Kefalas – Chairman, IMERYS Greece S.A. |
| What do Lenders Expect when Financing a Mine? |  | Ronen Lazarovitch – Partner, Bracewell (UK) LLP |
SESSION 4
Strengthening the public acceptance of the Raw Materials industry
Wider Society Learning, Innovative HEI Education, Lifelong Learning, Transparent Practices, and Community Engagement all play a pivotal role in securing a social license to operate (SLO) and enhancing the public acceptance of the raw materials sector. The CRMA recognizes this need by establishing a skills partnership, a Raw Materials Academy and transparent reporting practices to foster community engagement. By promoting transparency and informed dialogue with the stakeholders, these efforts aim to provide ongoing education, build public trust, and enhance regulatory processes, ultimately supporting the sustainability and resilience of the raw materials sector. This session aims to discuss the link between education, sustainability reporting, accessibility to information, and community engagement, demonstrating how these factors can collectively contribute to a more positive public perception and effective regulatory processes in the raw materials sector.
| Social license to operate. – From whom? – For whom? |  | Konstantinos Yazitzoglou – Chairman, Greek Mining Enterprises Association & Managing Director, GEOHELLAS S.A. |
| Empowering Sustainable Mining: Building Public Trust Through Transparent Practices and Community Engagement |  | Mathieu Vallart – Sustainability Director (Greece), Eldorado Gold Corporation |
| The Growing Need for Innovative Educational Programmes in the Raw Materials Sector |  | Katerina Adam – Prof. Emeritus, School of Mining and Metallurgical Engineering, NTUA & Educational Advisor, EIT RawMaterials RIS Hub Greece |