Agenda, 28 October

Europe has created a stronger policy framework for critical raw materials, but the gap between political ambition and industrial delivery remains wide. The Critical Raw Materials Act promised faster permitting and stronger domestic supply chains, yet many projects still struggle to advance. The central questions are no longer only about geology or legal frameworks, but about competitiveness, public legitimacy, financing and the ability to move projects from concept to production. How much can legislation really change? Where are the main bottlenecks now — permitting, energy costs, market conditions, public resistance, or lack of investor confidence? And what does “rebuilding an industry” mean in a European context where mining remains strategically necessary but politically contested? This opening session sets the intellectual and commercial frame for the Forum by examining whether Europe is entering a new phase of mining development or still operating mainly at the level of policy aspiration.

For a developer, the Critical Raw Materials Act’s “strategic” label promises a great deal: expedited permitting, a single national contact point, priority access to the RESourceEU financing hub, UNFC classification for bankability, and the offtake certainty of public-interest status. The first wave tested that on 60 projects; a second wave of 161 applicants, due for designation around the time of this Forum, will roughly double the portfolio. This session asks the plain question facing anyone weighing that status: what is it actually worth? It looks at where designation has moved projects forward — plants now opening in Estonia, Sweden and France — and where the label has not been enough, as financing stays prospective, permitting still runs to years, and mine lead times collide with a 2030 deadline the European Court of Auditors already thinks the EU will miss. The frank questions: does strategic status change bankability, or mainly paperwork? What separates the projects that get built from those that stall? And where must the second wave concentrate to turn designations into operating capacity?

Ireland occupies a unique position within Europe’s minerals landscape. As one of the continent’s most established mining jurisdictions, it combines a long history of base metal production with a new generation of critical minerals exploration and development. At the same time, the Department of Climate, Energy and the Environment’s (DCEE) implementation of the Critical Raw Materials Act, the development of national exploration programmes and renewed industry investment are reshaping the country’s approach to resource development. This session examines how Ireland is positioning itself within Europe’s evolving raw materials strategy and asks whether the country can translate geological potential into a new generation of mining projects. The discussion will explore regulatory reforms, permitting frameworks, government policy, investment support mechanisms and the role of mining in national economic development, including the evolution of industry representation through bodies such as the Irish Minerals Industry Group (IMIG). It will also address the legacy of Ireland’s historic mining districts, and how health, safety and environmental obligations at these older sites are being managed as the sector modernises. It will consider whether Ireland’s experience, past and present, offers lessons for other European jurisdictions seeking to strengthen domestic mineral supply chains.

Modern mineral discovery depends increasingly on the quality of geological data, scientific research and exploration technologies. Ireland has emerged as a leading centre for geoscience innovation through initiatives such as Geological Survey Ireland’s National Exploration Programme and the internationally recognised research activities of iCRAG. This session explores how government agencies, researchers and industry are working together to improve geological understanding, reduce exploration risk and accelerate the discovery of new mineral resources. Topics include national geoscience datasets, critical raw materials research, deep targeting methodologies, artificial intelligence, geophysical technologies and the growing role of digital tools in exploration. The session asks whether Ireland’s integrated approach to science, data and industry collaboration can help unlock the country’s next generation of mining opportunities while supporting Europe’s broader raw materials ambitions.

Ireland is home to a new generation of projects seeking to build upon the country’s established mining heritage. From the expansion of existing operations and brownfield opportunities to new discoveries and project restarts, developers are seeking to demonstrate that Ireland can remain a significant contributor to Europe’s future mineral supply. This session provides a strategic overview of the country’s most important mining and exploration projects, examining their geological potential, development status, financing requirements and pathways to production. The session will explore the challenges facing project developers, including permitting, community engagement, financing and market competitiveness, while assessing the realistic prospects for a new cycle of mining investment in Ireland. The broader question is whether Ireland is entering a genuine period of mining revival or merely witnessing isolated project successes.

Ireland’s contribution to the mining sector extends far beyond its domestic projects. Irish companies, consultants, technology providers and engineering specialists are active across Europe, Africa, Australia and the Americas. This discussion explores how Irish expertise in exploration, mine development, environmental management, geotechnics and mining services is being applied internationally. It examines the role of globally active Irish companies, asking how Ireland can further strengthen its reputation as an exporter of mining knowledge, innovation and professional services.