The FRDO-CFDD has already organised several seminars, webinars and conferences on the subject of metals and transition, analysing future metal requirements, the opportunities offered by the circular economy, etc. (you can find them here: https://frdo-cfdd.be/en/events-en/).
The aim of this conference is to continue this work by tackling the crucial issue of resource extraction: what are the opportunities in Europe and Belgium? What are the limits? How can environmental impacts be minimised? How can we guarantee optimum conditions for workers and local residents? Is there such a thing as a “sustainable mine”? Is deep-water mining the future?
To find out more about all these topical issues, the FRDO-CFDD is organising a conference in Brussels on Monday 23 October 2023.
The conference will last all day, and lunch will be provided at midday. Simultaneous translation (FR-NL-EN) will be available.
PHOTOS
Final programme
WATCH THE MORNING SESSION OF THE CONFERENCE
- 9:30 – 10:00 : registration & welcome coffee
- 10:00 – 10:10 : introduction – Patrick Dupriez, Chairman of the Council
- 10:10 – 10:40 : Critical Raw Materials – System Change Approach (EN) – Janez Potočnik, former European Commissioner for the Environment and currently co-president of the International Resource Panel of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) (presentation) (video: 00:00 – 33:39)
- 10:40 – 11:10 : Environmentally and socially responsible mining and refining (EN) – Peter Tom Jones, Director KU Leuven Institute for Sustainable Metals and Minerals at KU Leuven (presentation) (video: 33:50 – 01:06:19)
- 11:10 – 11:40 : A responsible look at a resourceful planet (EN) – Eric Pirard, Professor, Faculty of Applied Sciences, Department of Mineral Resources & Geological Imaging (presentation) (video: 01:06:30 – 01:40:30)
- 11:40 – 12:10 : Q&A and debate (video: 01:40:50 – 02:17:40)
- 12:10 – 13:30 : Lunch
WATCH THE FIRST AFTERNOON SESSION OF THE CONFERENCE
- 13:30 – 13:45 : The societal involvement of the quarrying and mining sectors (FR) – Nicolas Vasbinder, Quarry Manager at Carmeuse Western Europe (presentation) (video: 00:00 – 16:21)
- 13:45 – 14:00 : Mining revival: sobriety and circularity first (FR) – Romain Gelin, Researcher at GRESEA (presentation) (video: 16:28 – 31:42)
- 14:00 – 14:20 : Mining on the high seas : (in)sane? (NL) – Steven Vandenborre, Marine environment lawyer, FPS Public Health, Food Chain Safety and Environment. In the name of the FPS Public Health, Economy and Foreign Affairs (presentation) (video: 31:45 – 58:29)
- 14:20 – 14:40 : Coffee Break
WATCH THE SECOND AFTERNOON SESSION OF THE CONFERENCE
- 14:40 – 14:55 : Netzero2050 without biodiversity loss (EN) – Kris Van Nijen, Managing Director at Global Sea Mineral Resources (presentation) (video: 00:00 – 17:33)
- 14:55 – 15:10 : Dealing with minerals within planetary boundaries – The challenge of the 21st century (EN) – Sarah Vanden Eede, Oceans & Fisheries Policy Officer, WWF (presentation) (video: 17:47 – 30:32)
- 15:10 – 15:40 : Q&A and debate (video: 31:40 – 01:04:19)
- 15:40 – 16:00 : Conclusions – Fabrice Dehoux, staff member of the Council
If you have any questions, please contact Fabrice Dehoux (02/743 31 53 – Fabrice.dehoux@frdo-cfdd.be).