This study presents findings concerning plant-based geochemical exploration from the SEMACRET project, which investigated identifying sources and deposits of orthomagmatic critical raw materials (CRMs), including Ti, V, Ni, Co, Cr, Cu, and PGM. Our research demonstrates that plant geochemistry effectively reflects underlying geology across diverse ecosystems, as well as exploration targets such as sub-outcropping ores and subtle lithological variations, including different types of mafic rocks.

Through community engagement, we found that local stakeholders generally accept plant-based geochemical exploration, perceiving it as a low-impact and environmentally benign activity. While concerns about potential mining activities may persist, this method was recognized as non-intrusive and potentially beneficial for addressing environmental research questions beyond exploration.

This contribution summarizes the key takeaways from community events and interactions regarding surficial geochemistry, and contextualizes the effectiveness of plant-based exploration for identifying sub-outcropping mineralizations in European ecosystems from a geologist's point of view. A crucial aspect of conducting surficial geochemistry was found to be the timely and transparent communication with local stakeholders about the sampling methods and objectives, which helped to establish trust and acceptance.

The lessons learned from SEMACRET, scientificallly and during interaction with stakeholders, will inform the development of exploration strategies for the DeepBEAT project, which focuses on sustainable deep exploration in Europe.

The EU Critical Raw Materials Act (CRMA) was adopted in 2024 and first reporting is due in 2026, where applicable using the United Nations Framework Classification (UNFC). The European International Centre of Excellence for sustainable Resource Management (ICE-SRM EU), established within the Geological Service for Europe (GSEU) project as a capacity building and promotion centre in support to UNFC and UNRMS (United Nations Resource Management System) started its activities in capacity building, networking and promotion of UNFC to support its implementation and use according to the CRMA.

As Chair of the UNECE Resource Management Young Member Group (RMYMG), I will present the group’s work in promoting inclusive resource management through youth engagement, intergenerational dialogue, and equitable participation in decision-making processes. Operating under the Expert Group on Resource Management, the RMYMG brings together young professionals from diverse backgrounds to contribute to the development and implementation of the United Nations Framework Classification for Resources (UNFC) and the United Nations Resource Management System (UNRMS).

This presentation will focus on how inclusive approaches can strengthen the social license, legitimacy, and long-term sustainability of resource systems. Drawing on our recent activities, including engagement at COP29, collaboration with global partners, and contributions to capacity-building efforts, I will highlight the importance of integrating underrepresented voices, particularly youth, local communities, and stakeholders from the Global South, into resource governance frameworks.

Inclusive resource management is not only a matter of fairness, but a strategic imperative for ensuring that resource development supports broader societal goals such as climate action, just transitions, and sustainable development. By fostering diversity of thought and experience, we can design systems that are more adaptable, transparent, and future-oriented.

The RMYMG aims to serve as a catalyst for inclusive dialogue and action, bridging generational and institutional gaps. This intervention invites stakeholders to engage with us in rethinking resource governance in a way that is participatory, just, and aligned with global sustainability objectives.

Mit dem Deutsch-Chilenische Projekt BRIDGE soll zur Technologieentwicklung und Erschließung von Fluidlagerstätten in beiden Partnerländern eine binationale Forschunskooperation institutionalisiert werden. Das Ziel von BRIDGE ist es, die Expertise im Bereich Rohstoff-Extraktionstechniken aus Fluiden unterschiedlicher Reservoire beider Länder zu bündeln, zu vergleichen und damit die Innovationskraft beider Bergbausektoren zu stärken. Hierbei werden geologisch relevante Reservoire in Deutschland und Chile detailliert charakterisiert und modelliert, um einen umfassenden Einblick in deren geochemische, mineralogische, petrologische und hydraulische Eigenschaften zu erhalten, die einen direkten Einfluss auf die Gewinnung kritischer Rohstoffe haben. Parallel dazu werden neue Extraktionstechnologien für Rohstoffe wie Lithium, Kalium, Mangan, Strontium und Brom an ausgewählten Standorten untersucht und ihre Potenziale sowie standortspezifischen Herausforderungen verglichen. Neben der Bewertung der Extraktionsmethoden wird untersucht, wie technologiebedingte Einflüsse auf die Fluidchemie die Interaktion zwischen der rohstoffverarmten Sole und dem Reservoir beeinflussen. Darüber hinaus sind Studien zu den Wasser-Gesteins-Wechselwirkungen sowohl hinsichtlich mineralischer Ausfällungen (Scaling) in den Anlagen als auch möglicher physiko-chemischer Reaktionen im Reservoir für die sichere Implementierung der Extraktionssysteme von großer Bedeutung. Durch diese länderübergreifende Zusammenarbeit sollen wichtige Erkenntnisse für eine nachhaltige und effiziente Gewinnung kritischer Rohstoffe aus Fluiden gewonnen werden, die sowohl für die deutsche als auch die chilenische Industrie von erheblichem Interesse sind.

Lithium-ion batteries are an important high-tech technology for the electrification of the transport sector and the transition to renewable energies. Depending on the battery type, elements such as cobalt, nickel, manganese or phosphate are required in different amounts, but lithium is not interchangeable in all of them. The raw materials for the lithium in these batteries are derived from brines as well as from mineral resources such as spodumene pegmatites, which occur almost worldwide and are mainly mined commercially in Australia, Canada and Brazil. The spodumene mineral concentrates produced there are traded globally, as the chemical processing into lithium carbonate or lithium monohydroxide does not often take place in the country of mining.

In this study, spodumene concentrates of different origin were used to investigate which methods are suitable to distinguish between the various deposits. The spodumene samples were analysed by optical microscopy and EDS measurements to characterise microstructure, inclusions and intergrowths. For trace element contents solution ICP-MS and for lithium isotope ratio MC-ICP-MS analyses were carried out.

The intergrowth differs mainly with regard to the presence or absence of locally very complex spodumene-quartz associations. Geochemical results show differences between the concentrates especially for trace elements such as Nb, Fe, or Ga. The lithium isotope ratio (δ⁷Li) varies from -1 to about 11 ‰. The results show that it is possible to differentiate between spodumene concentrates based on geochemical, mineralogical, and isotopic parameters. Thus, our data contribute to lithium fingerprinting as a proof of origin in mineral value chains.

E-mobility and the green energy transition (wind, solar energy storage) in general represent the largest growth areas for lithium-ion batteries. In 2030, more than 90% of the demand for lithium will come from this sector. Due to its properties, lithium cannot be substituted in the mass market of LIB in the near future and all types of currently available cathode technologies contain lithium. The EU voted to ban new ICE vehicles from 2035 onwards, which will be one of the major challenges for the industry and their supply chain. However, global economic developments have led some governments to questions these ambitious targets. Nonetheless, demand for lithium and other battery raw materials is expected to increase rapidly in the coming years, as the green transition is inevitable. Currently the EU is heavily dependent on imports for either batteries or raw materials (i.e. precursor materials) for this industry with China being in a very strong position across all of these materials. In order to reduce these dependencies the EU has put the EU Critical Raw Materials Act (CRMA) in place with very ambitious goals and targets for mining, processing, recycling and import diversification. In this presentation, the current global and European market situation (supply chains) of lithium as well as production potentials will be discussed. Furthermore, implications of the newly announced CRMA strategic projects, the German Raw Materials Fund, Battery Regulation and ESG concerns as well as other regulatory measures on the market development will be addressed.