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RELiEF Workshop on the future of mineral resources

Last month the RELiEF project organized a workshop titled “UnEarth the future… From mining to recycling: The future of mineral resources” within the GeoConversa series at the University of Aveiro, Portugal. This event brought together RELiEF researchers from Pegmatitica, TechConcepts, INEGI Driving Science & Innovation, LUT University, and Faculdade de Ciências e Tecnologia da Universidade NOVA de Lisboa.

The workshop provided an opportunity to discuss advancements in lithium recovery from secondary resources, showcasing the RELiEF project’s significant contributions to this emerging field. Participants explored cutting-edge technologies and strategies aimed at enhancing the efficiency and sustainability of lithium recovery, emphasizing the importance of circularity in the battery materials supply chain. A central theme of the workshop was the broader social and environmental impact of battery materials. Discussions highlighted the critical role of recovering lithium from secondary sources – such as recycled batteries and industrial by-products – in reducing dependency on imports of critical raw materials (CRMs).

Full Workshop Report

Katariina Buure from LUT started the discussion by emphasising the social impact of batteries as an integral part to ensuring a just green transition - as the shift to renewable energy and electrification must be inclusive and equitable. Ethical sourcing, fair labour practices, and sustainable recovery of materials like lithium are crucial to addressing environmental and social inequalities, ensuring that the benefits of clean technologies are shared globally without perpetuating harm to vulnerable communities.

Joana Gouveia from INEGI discussed the relevance of sustainability for battery materials in reducing the environmental and social footprint of energy storage solutions. Adopting a life cycle perspective on secondary lithium sources enables more efficient use of resources, minimizes waste, and supports a circular economy, ensuring that lithium recovery and reuse contribute to long-term environmental resilience and energy security.

Joana Almeida from NOVA addressed the relevance of recovering lithium sustainably from secondary raw materials as essential to reducing the EU's dependency on external suppliers and fostering a resilient battery supply chain. By leveraging innovative technologies like the electrodialytic process, NOVA is exploring efficient methods to extract lithium from recycled batteries and industrial residues. This approach not only minimizes environmental impact but also enhances Europe's strategic autonomy in critical raw materials, contributing to a greener and more self-sufficient energy transition.

Alexandra Carolino from Pegmatítica, who is a third-generation miner herself, and played a leading role in the organization of this workshop delivered a presentation on the aplite-pegmatite fields in central Portugal, emphasizing their significance as a rich source of CRMs, including lithium. The presentation provided a comprehensive overview of the mine life cycle, stressing the importance of sustainable practices throughout the stages of exploration, extraction, processing, and reclamation. Key insights were shared from the tailing and heap sampling campaign at site C-057, which utilized advanced materials and methods to recover valuable resources from mining residues. Additionally, the talk shed light on the day-to-day realities of a miner's life, offering a portrayal of a typical workweek and underscoring the dedication and resilience required in this vital yet challenging profession.

Finally, Anish Patil from TechConcepts B.V. facilitated an engaging interactive session during the GeoConversa workshop, focusing on capturing the perspectives of students and researchers. This interactive session encouraged the 40 participants of the hybrid event to share their insights, challenges, and innovative ideas regarding lithium recovery and its broader implications. By fostering dialogue, TechConcepts ensured that diverse viewpoints from emerging and established voices in the field contributed to shaping the future direction of sustainable battery material solutions.