The summary of the PDAC 2026 session Unlocking Europe’s Mineral Raw Materials Potential: New Data, New Projects, New Opportunities, organised by EuroGeoSurveys and the European Technology Platform for Sustainable Mineral Resources (ETP SMR), is now available.
Discover the key insights from this high-level event held during the Prospectors & Developers Association of Canada (PDAC) Convention in Toronto on 1 March 2026. The session welcomed over 130 participants from across the global exploration ecosystem, including explorers, investors, industry representatives, policymakers, and Geological Survey organisations.
The summary highlights how Europe’s pre-competitive geoscience data, active exploration and development projects, and collaboration across the value chain are strengthening Europe’s position as an attractive destination for mineral exploration and investment.
Download the event summary here.
Presentations available for download (ongoing updates)
Germany
Ralph Watzel | President, Bundesanstalt für Geowissenshaften und Rohstoffe
“Exploration and Mining of Critical Raw Materials in Germany”
Michael Waitz | Director, Co-Head Metals & Mining, KfW IPEX-Bank
“Financing Solutions for the Metals & Mining Industry”
Ireland
Koen Verbruggen | Director, Geological Survey Ireland
“Irish Minerals Information”
Paul Quirk | Co-Founder and Co-Managing Partner, Lionhead
“The Foundations Beneath Europe’s Future”
France
Anne-Sophie Serrand | Deputy Manager of the French National Exploration Program, Bureau de Recherches Géologiques et Minières
“2026 Review of Mineral Resources: Advancing Metallogenetic Knowledge of the French Territory”
Thomas Poitrenaud | Exploration Manager, Compagnie des Mines Arédiennes
“Exploring and Redeveloping a Large High Grade Precious (Au, Ag) & Critical / Strategic Metal (Sb, Cu) District in Western Europe”
Spain
Iván Martín | Geochemistry and Mineral Resources Expert, Geological and Mining Institute of Spain
“Spanish National Exploration Program (2026-2030)”
César Luaces | General Manager, Spanish Confederation of Mineral Raw Materials Industries – PRIMIGEA
“Spanish Strategic Projects – Financial Framework”
EU Raw Materials Partnership (RAMP)
Tobias Kampmann | Programme Manager – Industrial Technologies, Vinnova
“RAMP – The upcoming Raw Materials Partnership”
Photo gallery
