WEBINAR 2: Environmental Impacts and Good Practices in Mineral Extraction: Water, Energy and Biodiversity

Dates:
24 March | 14:30–17:00 UTC
16 April | 14:30–17:00 UTC+1

This two-part webinar series explores the social and environmental dimensions of responsible mining and mineral extraction in the context of the global green and digital transition and increasing demand for defense capabilities.

Critical raw materials enable technologies such as batteries, wind turbines and digital infrastructure, while non-metallic minerals—such as sand, limestone, clay and phosphates—are essential for construction, agriculture and renewable energy systems. Despite their importance, extraction activities are often associated with significant environmental and social risks, including land degradation, water stress, labour rights challenges, biodiversity loss and community impacts.

The Critical Raw Materials Act, adopted in 2024, aims to guarantee the EU’s secure, diversified, affordable, and sustainable access to critical raw materials, essential for the green and digital transitions, as well as for defense and space. Now the CRMA Critical Raw Materials Act (CRM Act) and related EU policies are reshaping expectations for mining projects and supply chains, both inside and outside of the EU.

The series brings together companies, experts and institutional representatives from across global supply chains to discuss how the sector can strengthen sustainability performance, manage emerging regulatory expectations and contribute to responsible value chains.

What to expect?

Participants will gain insights into:

• Emerging European regulatory frameworks, including the Critical Raw Materials Act and due diligence expectations
• Practical approaches to social and environmental governance in mining and minerals
• The role of responsible extraction in resilient and sustainable supply chains
• Real-world experiences from companies operating in both metallic and non-metallic mineral sectors
• Opportunities for international collaboration across producing and consuming regions

The webinar series is organized in partnership with several networks and sector stakeholders, bringing together

perspectives from Europe, Africa and the Americas.

The webinar series are organized with the joint efforts of the UNGC Country Networks in Angola, Bulgaria, Democratic Republic of Congo, Canada, France, Portugal, Spain and with the expert support of Cluster Portugal Mineral Resources.

Webinar 2 „Environmental Impacts and Good Practices in Mineral Extraction: Water, Energy and Biodiversity“

16 April | 14:30–17:00 UTC+1

             | 16:30–19:00 SOFIA 

This second session examines the environmental footprint of mining operations, including water management, energy use, biodiversity protection and circular resource practices.

Participants will hear examples of innovative environmental management and decarbonisation strategies, as well as approaches to strengthening environmental governance across mineral supply chains.

REGISTER HERE!

Registration is free of charge

WEBINAR 1 „Social and Environmental Sustainability in the Mining and Minerals Sector“ shall take place on 24 March 2026.