Day 1 of the 88th EFG Spring Council Meeting and the conference “Industrial Minerals and their Contribution to European Development” has successfully concluded in Milos, Greece.
Today’s sessions brought together geologists, industry representatives, researchers and experts from across Europe for a highly engaging exchange on the role of industrial minerals in sustainable development, innovation and the green transition.
The programme opened with welcoming remarks by Maria Tzima, President of the Association of Greek Geologists (AGG), and David Govoni, President of the European Federation of Geologists (EFG), followed by the keynote presentation of Dr. Michael Stamatakis on the role of industrial minerals in sustainable development and the green transition, with a special focus on the Greek case.
Session I focused on extractive activity and innovation, including contributions from David Govoni, Dr Konstantinos Laskaridis and Arda Arcasoy on sustainable underground mining, geological knowledge and policy support, and the use of satellite radar InSAR technologies in mining applications.
Session II explored research, technology and sustainable development through presentations by Konstantinos Yazitzoglou (Greek Mining Enterprises Association), Ioannis Sanoudos (Imerys Greece), Panagiotis Zachariadis (Imerys Greece), Stelios Roumpedakis (HERACLES group), Thodoris Margomenos (SIBELCO) and Michael Papasotiriou (Hellas Gold). Discussions covered sustainability criteria, circularity and industrial minerals, digital applications in mining production, environmentally friendly industrial uses of mineral deposits and digital transformation within mining operations.
The day concluded with a roundtable discussion on “Integrating Industrial Minerals into the CRM Act Framework: The Strategic Importance for Europe and Greece, and the Role of the EurGeol Title”, moderated by Pavlos Tyrologou.
The discussion brought together Ramon Perez Mir (EFG), Maria Tzima (AGG), Konstantinos Yazitzoglou (Greek Mining Enterprises Association), Ioannis Sanoudos (Imerys Greece), Ria Vagkli (Hellas Gold S.A. Gold), Konstantinos Kydonakis (Geotest Consulting Engineers S.A.) and Marianthi Anastasatou (Hellenic Survey of Geology & Mineral Exploration (H.S.G.M.E.)).
Participants exchanged views on the strategic importance of industrial minerals within the framework of the European Critical Raw Materials (CRM) Act, the future needs of Europe in raw materials, sustainable mining and resource management, as well as the importance of the EurGeol title in strengthening professional recognition and competence across the geoscience sector.
A sincere thank you to all speakers, moderators, participants and sponsors for contributing to such a successful and insightful first day.