The European Commission’s President Ursula von der Leyen has recently pledged that the European Commission will lead a sustainable and transformational recovery which will lead Europe to a “systemic modernization” of the economic and environmental sector. The President called for a healthier Europe by establishing some health research and development programs to enhance Europe’s capacity to respond to cross-border threats. Moreover, she pledged action to boost the single market, reinforce the Economic and Social Union, get the Schengen area working in full again, update the EU’s industry strategy and adapt its competition framework. Read the insights in the press...

The new FORAM NEWSLETTER is out! Find out more about FORAM, its objectives and the way it will make a difference. IN THIS SECOND EDITION… Interview with Dr. Karen Hanghoj Interview with Prof. Victoire de Margerie Interview with Harikrishnan Tulsidas FORAM project global mapping and analysis of raw materials initiatives The FORAM project at the World Resources Forum (WRF) Enhancing dialogues among FORAM stakeholders Download the 2nd FORAM...

PRESS RELEASE “GEOLOGY IN HISTORY” The geologist: an unknown actor in many historical events  The latest EuroGeoSurveys publication “Geology in History” will be launched on 28th March 2017 at the OREGA Brussels Leopold, during the EuroGeoSurveys 42nd General Meeting by  Mr. Patrick McKeever, Secretary of the International Geoscience Porgramne at UNESCO, Mr. Gwen Cozigou, Director of the European Commission’s DG for Internal market, Industry, Entrepreneurship and SMEs, and Ms. Charlina Vitcheva, Deputy Director General of the European Commission’s DG Joint Research Centre. The book describes a surprising and unusual combination that brings you to understand how the geological discoveries have marked history and determined the shape of our society, of our culture and of our habits.  The European Geological Surveys are pleased to present some examples highlighting the links between History and geology. Most of them are related to mineral resources which constitute the basement of the development of mankind. In some cases, geology has been at the heart of numerous battles, such as in Italy, where a volcanic island was fought over among three different empires: the British, French and Italians who have tried to obtain its ownership but a geological process quickly solved the political problem; Ferdinandea was eroded by the sea and disappeared. The geology has marked a new turn during the First World War. In the face of new and incredible firepower, many front lines are frozen and it is then necessary to use underground space, requiring geological knowledge. Water was required in considerable volume to supply troops. Armies also had to protect their own side and attack the enemy from the ground. Warring parties also needed mineral resources to sustain the war industry, mainly coal and iron, but also a large amount of metals: nickel, aluminium, copper.  To find...

World Forum on Raw Materials Project launched PRESS RELEASE Brussels, 30th  November, 2016 17h00 – 18h30 OREGA Brussels Leopold Rue du Commerce, 123 – Brussels   The FORAM project was launched in Brussels during the first Raw Materials Week, organized by the European Commission. To date it is the largest collaborative effort to improve worldwide cooperation on securing access, promoting innovation and fostering sustainable mining, recycling and use of raw materials. Apart from key stakeholders from governments, research and industry in Europe the project brings together partners from Japan, the USA, and other G20 countries, as well as key countries active in the mining and other raw materials sectors. As Mr. Marcin Sadowski, Head of the Raw Materials Sector at the EC Executive Agency for Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (EASME) stated, FORAM supports the EU International Cooperation Strategy on Raw Materials and he expects that the project will be an essential contribution to its success and international uptake. Mr. Mathias Schluep, FORAM project leader, from the Swiss based World Resources Forum, said, “common approaches and solutions for both primary and secondary raw materials will be identified. The event was organized and hosted by the EuroGeoSurveys, The Geological Surveys of Europe, (EGS) and brought together close to 100 enthusiastic participants, ranging from policy makers, industry, academia and research institutions who concluded that the ambitious initiative will need to be inclusive, open, and built upon the successes of related European and global initiatives in this field. Mr. Jaco Huisman, from the United Nations University, in charge for the identification of FORAM key challenges and priorities, said: “The raw materials field is a dynamic environment with lots of initiatives and projects. However, many actors are still working in silos. It is important to track relevant information flows,...

“WONDER WATER- THE VALUE OF WATER” A GEOLOGICAL JOURNEY AROUND EUROPE’S MINERAL SPRINGS, SPAs AND THERMAL BATHS   Brussels, 10 March 2016 The latest EuroGeoSurveys publication “Wonder Water – the Value of Water” will be launched on the 15th March 2016 at 16.00 o’clock, at the Scotland House of Brussels, during the EuroGeoSurveys 40th General Meeting. The book brings you on a fantastic geological journey around Europe through mineral springs, thermal baths, SPAs, pools, etc. Are you ready to explore fantastic places and discover the health benefits of groundwater on which geology has a mayor impact? For instance, at the Clémentine spring of Spa in Belgium, calcium-bicarbonate water, once ingested, purifies the liver and facilitates digestion. Alkaline springs such the one of Troodos, Cyprus, are thought to have beneficial effects on healing rheumatic and skin diseases. Bath of sulphuric waters, such as at the Latvian health resort of Jaunķemeri, increase body tone, improve circulation of blood and metabolism. All these water’s properties are connected with particular geological situations (terrains, rock types, climate, etc.), reflecting a wide geological diversity across Europe. Special attention is given to myths and stories. In Finnish mythology, vedenväki (‘water folk’) were water spirits, nymphs, etc. said to dwell in lakes, rivers, rapids, the sea and even springs and wells. And how not to be fascinated with the Greek myth of Pyra and Defkelionas? To gain many and strong children they had a bath in the warm spring waters of Edipsos, and thus acquired Hellin, father of all the Hellenic tribes. Through “Wonder Water” EuroGeoSurveys renewed its commitments in engaging with the wider public to communicate geology by showing how our groundwater, essential in our daily life, is used and enjoyed. Indeed, it has been estimated that 75% of European Union...

Brussels, 04 March 2016 Following the huge success of the European Intelligence Network on the Supply of Raw Materials (Minerals4EU) project, the “Minerals Intelligence Infrastructure for Europe” has been legally registered under the form of a Foundation on Friday 4th March 2016. The non-profit Minerals4EU Foundation overall scope is to provide a one-stop-shop to official and verified data, information and knowledge on mineral resources, and to act as contact point through which stakeholders can easily and transparently access its products and expertise. Among its main services, the Foundation will coordinate the development of the European Union Mineral Resources Knowledge Base infrastructure, in support to European Union affairs, policies and action programmes, and will provide the best available EU expertise and information based on the knowledge of its Members, composing the European Minerals Intelligence Network. Moreover, the Minerals4EU Foundation will respond to specific requests from the European Union, or will formulate proposals for actions of interest to the EU. The Foundation is governed by a Management Board overseeing the whole management of the organization and composed of both private and public sector key EU stakeholders representing the whole mineral resources value chain. It is expected that the services put in place will ultimately serve to boost EU economy and competitiveness in the field of Raw Materials. BACKGROUND The Minerals4EU project delivered a European Minerals Knowledge Data Platform (EU-MKDP). The Platform contains a Mineral Resources Database, Map Viewer, Foresight studies and the European Minerals Yearbook, first digital reliable source of information on minerals statistics and intelligence in Europe. More information at http://www.minerals4eu.eu EuroGeoSurveys – web: http://www.eurogeosurveys.org/ Email: claudia.delfini@eurogeosurveys.org francesca.siciliano@eurogeosurveys.org Phone: +32 2 888 75...