19 November 2026 | 09:30–14:30 | European Parliament, Brussels
Industrial minerals and aggregates are indispensable to Europe’s economy and strategic ambitions. They provide the essential raw materials for construction, manufacturing, advanced technologies, renewable energy, agriculture, healthcare and numerous everyday products and services. Despite their fundamental role, the industrial minerals and aggregates sector often receives less political attention than metallic critical raw materials, although it faces many of the same challenges relating to permitting, land access, workforce development, public acceptance, investment and long-term resource security.
As the European Union advances its competitiveness agenda, Clean Industrial Deal, Circular Economy objectives and strategic raw materials policy, there is a timely opportunity to strengthen recognition of industrial minerals and aggregates as an essential pillar of European industrial resilience and strategic autonomy.
The event will feature the presentation of the European Industrial Minerals Manifesto, setting out a shared vision and policy recommendations for a competitive, sustainable and resilient industrial minerals sector.
Programme:
9:30-10:15 – Opening Session
- Welcome by MEP Yannis Maniatis
- Key recommendations from the European Industrial Minerals Manifesto, David Govoni, EFG President, and Maria Tzima, Association of Greek Geologists (AGG) President
10:15-11:15 – High-Level Policy Session: Industrial Minerals and Aggregates at the Heart of Europe’s Competitiveness
Moderator: Pablo Núñez Fernández, EFG Board
- Yannis Maniatis, MEP, S&D
- Gerardo Herrera, European Commission, DG GROW
- Panagiotis Zachariadis, EFG
- Leah Wilson, President Industrial Minerals Association Europe (IMA-Europe)
- Konstantinos Laskaridis, Hellenic Survey of Geology & Mineral Exploration & EuroGeoSurveys
11:15-11:25 – Technical break
11:25-12:25 – Industry Perspectives: Delivering Sustainable Industrial Minerals and Aggregates for Europe’s Green and Digital Transition
Moderator: Rudi Ruggeri, CNG
· Antonis Antoniou Latouros, President at Aggregates Europe (AE): Aggregates: Essential Local Resources for Housing, Infrastructure and Europe’s Green and Digital Transition—Securing Sustainable Supply, Circularity and Responsible Production
· Brecht De Roo, Director Sustainability, HSE and Public Affairs EMEA at CARMEUSE: Decarbonisation pathways and sustainability targets in the lime industry in the context of ETS developments
· Jyrki Bergstrom, IMERYS: Responsible resource management and the importance of reserves and resources classification
· Cathy Blervacq, Vice President Sustainability at SIBELCO: Case studies on renewables, biodiversity management and circularity
· Thomas Richter, Vice President Global Government and Public Affairs at SOLVAY: Sustainable production and innovation in carbonate-based industrial minerals
· Roger Doome, Secretary General at European Borates Association (EBA): Securing strategic mineral supply through responsible production and innovation
12:25-12:40 – Conclusion
Pablo Núñez Fernández, EFG Board
12:45 – End of the morning session
Networking lunch:
A complementary policy lunch session, “Industrial Minerals and EU Policy: Navigating the Regulatory Framework for Sustainable Resource Development”, will take place from 13:00 to 14:30 at the European Parliament. It will provide an opportunity for further discussion on EU legislation affecting mineral exploration, extraction and permitting, including water protection and nature restoration.
Consult the full programme:
https://eurogeologists.eu/go/industrial-minerals-aggregates-event
Registration:
The event is by invitation only, and places are limited. If you are interested in attending, please contact us at events@eurogeologists.eu. Attendance is subject to confirmation by the organisers.
Supported by:
Industrial Minerals Association Europe (IMA-Europe)
Aggregates Europe (AE)
