On 27th February 2024, the BIORECOVER Final Event convened in Brussels, adopting a hybrid format that blended in-person discussions with online accessibility. The event served as a beacon, drawing together a diverse array of stakeholders spanning the scientific, industrial, and policy spheres. The event aimed to amplify the impact of BIORECOVER, an initiative set to transform the mining and metals industry through the innovative application of biomining technologies. Biomining, a process harnessing the power of microorganisms to extract valuable metals from ores and mining waste, has emerged as a promising avenue towards achieving sustainable development goals in Europe and beyond.
The event unfolded in three distinct sessions.
The inaugural session set the stage by elucidating the tangible outcomes and insights gleaned from the BIORECOVER project. Cristina Martínez, the Project Coordinator from CETIM, provided a comprehensive overview, sharing valuable lessons learned from the project’s endeavors.
Subsequent sessions, structured as roundtable discussions, ventured into the realms of research initiatives and industrial policy challenges, encapsulating the complexities inherent in the adoption and integration of biomining technologies.
The roundtable on Research Initiatives towards Sustainable Mining served as a platform for discussing with experts key questions surrounding the advantages, challenges, and potential applications of biomining.
Moderated by Pablo Frieiro from CETIM, this session underscored the imperative of addressing critical hurdles such as resource complexity, technology upscaling, and sustainability considerations. The discussion panel included expertise from Toni Dorado of Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya, Agathe Hubau from French Geological Survey (BRGM), and Simon Lobach from the Geneva Graduate Institute.
Then, the conversation shifted to the roundtable discussion on Industrial and Policy Challenges, moderated by Sam Whittlesey from LGI.
The panel featured expert insights from Daniel Cios from DG GROW, Aurela Shtiza representing IMA Europe, and Kamila Slupek from Eurometaux. Speakers engaged in an insightful discussions, exploring the barriers hindering the adoption of innovative processing technologies within the mining industry and examining the role of EU policies such as the CRM Act in fostering an environment conducive to innovation and sustainability.
In summary, the BIORECOVER Final Event provided a nuanced understanding of the opportunities and challenges inherent in the adoption of biomining technologies for sustainable mining. While acknowledging the promising strides made in this field, discussions also underscored the complexities involved in scaling up these innovations and navigating policy frameworks. By bringing together diverse stakeholders, the event facilitated meaningful dialogue and highlighted the need for continued collaboration and pragmatic approaches to address these challenges.
