March 31, 2021 - The Prospectors & Developers Association of Canada (PDAC) has wrapped up its first-ever virtual convention that happened between March 8-11, 2021, receiving positive feedback and industry accolades. The annual PDAC Convention is the premier event of the world’s mineral exploration and mining industry that brings together mining executives, geologists, government officials, investors, analysts, and students from around the globe. With over 7,200 members around the world, PDAC’s mission is to promote a globally responsible, vibrant and sustainable mineral sector that encourages leading practices in technical, operational, environmental, safety and social performance.
At the PDAC 2021 Virtual Convention, attendees had access to a customized platform where they could visit exhibit halls, network with colleagues, and join sessions that were available on-demand shortly after airing. This new virtual format allows attendees to continue networking by sending direct messages to other participants, engaging through text lounges, and watching educational sessions and newly added content for three months post-convention, until June 1, 2021.
GeoERA Raw Materials was present at the EuroGeoSurveys (EGS) stand within the European Commission’s virtual booth. The European Commission booth also hosted European Commission initiatives and representatives as the European Raw Materials Alliance and EIT Raw Materials, and projects from H2020 (the EU research programme for research and innovation), EU countries, and small and medium-sized enterprises.
The GeoERA Raw Materials stand presented information in different formats such as the presentations and maps (EU Mineral Occurrences for Selected Commodities & Favourability Map for Lithium Mineralization in Europe). Interested attendees could interact with the GeoERA Raw Materials theme coordinator (Dr. Antje Wittenberg of the Federal Institute for Geosciences and Natural Resources, BGR) and EGS Secretariat representatives through polls, one-on-one meetings, and live text-based chats to raise awareness about GeoERA activities and to be engaged in discussions.
About GeoERA:
GeoERA (H2020 ERA-NET Cofund Action) is a research programme established and run by 33 National and 15 Regional Geological Survey Organisationsfrom Europe. Together these organisations contribute to the more integrated and efficient management and more responsible exploitation and use of the subsurface in line with several United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. GeoERA is furthermore part of the strategic vision of EuroGeoSurveys, which is to deliver a Geological Service for Europe. This vision aims to establish a common European geological knowledge base and joint research focusing on European policy.
The European Union is facing several societal and environmental challenges that are firmly linked to subsurface resources. GeoERA Raw Materials projects assist in identifying high potential areas that may add to responsible sourcing and supply within Europe. Hence, it feeds into the European Green Deal (COM 2019 640 final) policy and its underpinning strategies e.g., A New Industrial Strategy for Europe (COM 2020 102 final) and A European Strategy for Data (COM 2020 66 final) to meet the UN Sustainable Development Goals.
Responsible mining sourcing and sustainable management and consumption of mining resources are key for Europe’s resilience in relation to raw materials supply. Therefore, a better understanding of subsurface processes and the consequences of any actions, whether intended or not, can mitigate or minimize risks and effects to society and the environment. GeoERA Raw Materials creates valuable, accessible, and public data and information for policymakers and end-users of geological data and minerals information in Europe that is publicly available through European Geological Data Infrastructure (EGDI) and in line with the EU Raw Materials Information System (RMIS).
For more information, visit: https://geoera.eu/.
This project has received funding from the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under Grant Agreement No 731166.
Contact Information
Krishnan Subramani
Eurogeosurveys
Rue Joseph 36-38, 1000 Brussels, Belgium
1000
