Indeed, as the twin transition toward a green and digital future pushes onward, sustainably securing a diverse array of mineral resources, from cobalt to nickel to rare earth elements, will only become more crucial. Japan and the EU have each developed strategies to overcome supply challenges and address their own unique constraints – including technological hurdles, environmental pressures, resource scarcity at home and geopolitical pressures abroad. What are the strengths and weaknesses of each approach? How is the mining industry – particularly through new methods and technologies – adapting to the challenges and opportunities of shifting geopolitical, social, environmental and market conditions? How might the EU and Japan cooperate better to ensure stable, sustainable supplies of critical raw materials in the decades to come?   

PROGRAMME

Following a brief (10 minutes) set of remarks by each speaker, the discussion will interactive and led by the Chair. Q/A from the audience will be included in the discussion.

Chair and discussion leader: John SEAMAN, Research Fellow, French Institute of International Relations (Ifri)

• Peter HANDLEY, Head, Energy-Intensive Industries and Raw Materials Unit, DG GROW, European Commission
• Kotaro SHIMIZU, Chief Analyst, Mitsubishi UFJ Research and Consulting
• Monique LE GUEN, Executive Expert Mine Geology, Eramet Ideas
• Henry SANDERSON, Executive Editor, Benchmark Mineral Intelligence, former FT correspondent, author of a forthcoming book on CRMs and the energy transition