Vilnius University Joins International Initiative “Critical Raw Materials Days”

Vilnius University, together with the Universities of Granada, Minho, Padua and Wrocław, is organising the international initiative “Critical Raw Materials Days”, a series of activities dedicated to exploring the role and importance of Critical Raw Materials in modern society.

The initiative brings together experts from across Europe to discuss the significance of critical raw materials, the challenges associated with their extraction and supply, and the need for more responsible and efficient management of these essential resources.

Critical Raw Materials have become a strategic cornerstone of industrial and technological development. Their availability influences global competitiveness, drives innovation, and supports the transition towards more sustainable energy systems.

Taking place from 9 to 25 March, “Critical Raw Materials Days” will feature a range of events, including online lectures in English open to participants from any country, as well as local activities organised by the participating universities in their respective languages. All events are designed as outreach activities and are aimed at broad, non-specialist audiences of all ages.

Programme

Opening lecture (online, in English)
Monday, 9 March | 18:00 CET

“Critical Raw Materials: The Invisible Resources Shaping Our Future”, delivered by Concepción Fernández-Leyva, Policy Officer for Matter at the CSIC Office in Brussels.

Closing round table (online, in English)
Wednesday, 25 March | 18:00 CET

Conversations on Critical Raw Materials: The Hidden Resources Behind Modern Life”

Moderator:
Teresa Maria Fernandes Valente (Portugal), a mineralogist specialising in the environmental impacts of mining. Her expertise provides valuable insights into the environmental challenges associated with the extraction of critical raw materials.

Roundtable panellists:

• Rafael Navarro Domínguez (Granada, Spain) – geologist at the Geological and Mining Institute of Spain and an expert in industrial minerals and rocks, with extensive experience in the fluorite sector.
• Luis Albardeiro (Aljustrel, Portugal) – geologist specialising in mineral resources and critical raw materials, focusing on resource assessment, sustainable extraction strategies and geological factors influencing CRM availability.
• Paolo Nimis (Padua, Italy) – geologist specialising in mineralogy, geochemistry and ore deposits, with extensive research on the metallogeny of strategic metals.
• Vaida Kirkliauskaitė (Vilnius, Lithuania) – petrologist with broad experience in assessing the CRM potential of the Baltic countries and exploring Phanerozoic-covered regions.
• Anna Potysz (Wrocław, Poland) – environmental scientist specialising in the recovery of mineral resources from secondary sources, with a focus on biometallurgy.

Local activities

In addition to the international online events, each participating university will organise local activities.

Vilnius University will host an outreach activity titled “The Secret Life of Rocks and Minerals Hosting Critical Raw Materials: Powering the Modern World” (in Lithuanian). Participants will explore rocks and minerals that contain critical raw materials essential for technologies such as smartphones, batteries and renewable energy systems. The activity will include hands-on examination of rock samples and a demonstration of how scientists study rocks under a polarising microscope. The event will highlight the importance of critical raw materials for modern society, the energy transition and Europe’s resource security.

10 March, 10:00–12:00 CET

Location: Vilnius University, Faculty of Chemistry and Geosciences, Institute of Geosciences, Petrology Laboratory (Room 223).

Registration for the online events is available here.