Agenda, 28 October

Europe has created a stronger policy framework for critical raw materials, but the gap between political ambition and industrial delivery remains wide. The Critical Raw Materials Act promised faster permitting and stronger domestic supply chains, yet many projects still struggle to advance. The central questions are no longer only about geology or legal frameworks, but about competitiveness, public legitimacy, financing and the ability to move projects from concept to production. How much can legislation really change? Where are the main bottlenecks now — permitting, energy costs, market conditions, public resistance, or lack of investor confidence? And what does “rebuilding an industry” mean in a European context where mining remains strategically necessary but politically contested? This opening session sets the intellectual and commercial frame for the Forum by examining whether Europe is entering a new phase of mining development or still operating mainly at the level of policy aspiration.

This session examines the practical realities of developing a mining project in Ireland. The focus is on licensing, planning, environmental approvals, mine development conditions, closure obligations and the overall predictability of the regulatory pathway. Central questions include how readable the Irish system is for international investors, how long development timelines are likely to be in practice, and how Ireland compares with jurisdictions such as Finland, Sweden, Canada and Australia in terms of permitting credibility and institutional trust. The discussion also looks at the relationship between high regulatory standards and investment attractiveness: where does good governance strengthen the sector, and where do complexity or uncertainty become barriers to capital? At the heart of the session is a straightforward question: can Ireland present itself as open for responsible mining investment, and what conditions are necessary for that message to be credible to both investors and the public?

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.

Europe does not only face a permitting challenge. It faces a legitimacy challenge. This session tackles the political and social dimension of mining head-on, asking why domestic projects continue to encounter resistance even when policymakers agree that critical raw materials are essential for climate, industry and defence. The discussion explores trust, local participation, consultation quality, land use conflicts, environmental credibility, benefits sharing and the limits of top-down policy. It also examines why some projects become symbolic political flashpoints and what developers can do differently from the earliest stages of engagement. This session stands out from a standard ESG panel by framing social licence as a core industrial variable rather than an optional communications issue. The objective is to show that no permitting deadline or strategic target will materially shift outcomes unless mining regains public legitimacy on the ground.

Following the 2025 discussion on “inclusivity”, this chat focuses on the role of the “Social Architect” in mining. Using Ireland’s collaborative regulatory and community models as a backdrop, this discussion explores how radical transparency and “digital product passports” can turn sceptical local communities into project partners. The focus is on moving from “managing opposition” to shared value creation, ensuring that the wealth generated from European soil benefits the people living above it

Europe’s ambition for a net-zero future depends on the successful integration of its mining and mid-stream industries. This session focuses on the development of battery-grade lithium, nickel, and cobalt projects across Europe. Discussions will centre on the logistical “Green Corridor”—how raw ores are refined into battery chemicals within the EU—and the role of “Digital Product Passports” in ensuring that every kilowatt-hour produced in a European gigafactory is backed by sustainably sourced minerals.

A discussion on whether Europe can realistically build projects, refining and downstream integration.