Ireland in Focus: Mining Opportunities, Geology and Strategic Potential

Ireland enters the 2026 Forum not only as host country, but as a jurisdiction with an important place in Europe’s raw materials landscape. This session explores Ireland’s geological potential, exploration opportunities, established mining tradition and relevance to European supply security. Key topics include the country’s mineral endowment, brownfield and greenfield project opportunities, the role of Irish mining in European industrial supply chains, and the investment case for Ireland in a more competitive global market for exploration capital. Open questions include where Ireland’s strongest opportunities lie today, how Irish projects can position themselves within Europe’s critical minerals strategy, and whether Ireland is sufficiently visible to international investors compared with other European jurisdictions. The session also opens a broader discussion about the role Ireland can play in linking resource development with regional growth, industrial capability and long-term supply resilience in Europe.