Mineral exploration plays a key role in ensuring a secure raw materials supply in the EU and Latin American countries. However, exploration must be aligned to local conditions and international trends in order to be more sustainable in the long-term period. For this reason, it is crucial to foster innovative solutions and practices improving and securing access to raw materials, in line with social and environmental standards. In this context, the EU-Latin America Partnership on Raw Materials (MDNP 2) project is hosting a free business-oriented webinar series showcasing examples and good practices of innovation from the field of mineral exploration, as a prerequisite for the integration of sustainable raw material value chains between the EU and Latin America. During the webinars, EU and Latin American experts will share their analysis and best practices, as key items for boosting responsible and sustainable non-energy extractive industries in both regions. The webinars will address MDNP members and stakeholders who wnat to gain insights on the progresses of both regions in driving responsible mining and building sustainable and resilient mineral raw materials value chains. All webinars will be translated simultaneously and offer English, Spanish and Portuguese audio channels. In order to get more information on the webinars, please check the dedicated...

PanAfGeo, an EU co-funded initiative that began in 2016, contributed to the transfer of knowledge between European and African Geological Surveys. PanAfGeo also ensured the institutional strengthening of many African national administrations in charge of geology and mining. Starting from the project’s past achievements, the phase two of the project will build on a consortium of 11 European Geological Surveys, including the the umbrella organization of the Geological Surveys of Europe, EuroGeoSurveys, and will be lead by BRGM, the Geological Survey of France. PanAfGeo-2 will aim at developing a set of knowledge and best practices exchange programmes for African geoscientists to acquire the state-of-the-art tools and learn new methods and skills in several geoscientific competences: Geoscientific MappingMineral Resources AssessmentArtisanal & Small-Scale MiningGeoheritage & Geothermal energyGeohazards & Environmental Management of MinesGeoresources Governance & OAGS/GSOs Institutional StrengtheningGeoscientific Information ManagementCommunication, Dissemination & Dialogue. For more insights about the PanAfGeo-2, view and read the press release in the project...

Last week, the EC circulated a new set of proposals delivering the 2030 climate change targets. Each of the proposed legislative tools and actions is leading up to a stronger EU climate policy framework, making the EU Green Deal a reality. The adopted package of legislative tools will apply to new and existing sectors: The ETS (Emission Trading System), which has been cutting emissions by 42.8% for the last 16 years, will be advanced to lower further down the emissions cap level while;More actions will be undertaken on the Effort Sharing Regulation, assigning different emission target reduction for EU Member States for buildings, road and domestic maritime transport, agriculture, waste and small industries;Member States will need to take further action for removing carbon from the atmosphere as presented in the Regulation on Land Use, Forestry and Agriculture;An update is proposed on the Renewable Energy Directive establishing a higher target (40%) for the energy produced from renewable sources;A higher binding target for reducing energy consumption at EU level will be provided by a new Energy Efficiency Directive;In order to achieve zero-emissions in the transport sector, a revised Alternative Fuels Infrastructure Regulation will require Member States to expand charging capacity in line with zero-emission car sales, while the ReFuelEU Aviation Initiative will oblige fuel suppliers to blend increasing levels of sustainable aviation fuels in jet fuel taken on-board at EU airports;Last but not least, a new Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism will put a carbon price on imports of a targeted selection of products to ensure that ambitious climate action in Europe does not lead to ‘carbon leakage’ for eventually contributing to a global emission reduction process. In order to get further information on the adopted package of legislative tools, check the European Commission press release and...

The European Commission has adopted the main work programme of Horizon Europe for the period 2021-2022. The programme outlines the objectives and topic areas that will receive a share of €14.7 billion in funding. The investment is intended to accelerate the green and digital transitions as well as contributing to a sustainable recovery from the pandemic. The first Horizon Europe calls will support and complement initiatives and programmes including the European Green Deal, the European Research Area, Europe’s Digital Decade and NextGenerationEU.  The first calls from the programme will launch on 22 June 2021 and more details about the calls will be shared during the EU R&I Days. Along with the approach approved by the Commission in the field of international cooperation in research and innovation, the programme includes targeted actions aiming at strengthening cooperation through multilateral initiatives, also including non-EU partners as for the Africa initiative. Learn more and find the work programme online or download the press release in the pdf....

The EU-Latin America Partnership on Raw Materials project is hosting a yearly webinar series addressing a diverse range of topics which are key to fostering responsible and sustainable non-energy extractive industries in Europe and Latin American regions. The upcoming online webinar EU-Latin America responsible battery value chains on 17 June (16:00 – 17:30h CEST) is a business-oriented event that seeks to showcase best practice examples of responsible battery raw materials value chain integration led by EU and Latin America stakeholders. A secure and responsible supply of battery raw materials is a vital prerequisite for electric mobility and renewable energy, and therefore it plays a key role in achieving a climate-neutral economy. The EU seeks to diversify its sources of battery raw materials and integrate its value chains with Latin American countries. In this context, responsible production and sourcing of these raw materials are paramount. The webinar will bring together experts from the EU and Latin America to share their analyses and best practices on responsible battery raw materials value chain integration. Thus, MDNP members (https://www.mineralplatform.eu/) will gain insights into the work being done in both regions on driving responsible mining and building sustainable and resilient mineral raw materials value chains. Webinar registrations will close on Monday, 14 June at 17:00 CEST. Remember that you must be logged in as MDNP member to register for this webinar. If you are not an MDNP member yet, submit your membership application as early as possible.*The eligibility criteria to become a member of the MDNP is to be legally based in an 27 EU Member State or in one of the following Latin American countries Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Mexico, Peru, Uruguay and to beactive in the fields relevant for the non-energy extractive industry sector. Governmental entities from other Latin American countries are also eligible as members of the MDNP. All...