The AGEMERA presentation, alongside a dedicated project slide deck displayed at the EU booth, highlighted the project's technical capabilities and potential contributions to the raw materials sector. However, many of the most substantive and engaging discussions emerged around a different aspect of the project: the Local Perception Survey Tool.
This tool, which evaluates community perspectives on mining and exploration activities in terms of governance, socio-environmental impacts, and local engagement, attracted considerable attention. Stakeholders from international organisations such as UNECE, national institutes including the National Research Council of Canada, as well as universities and industry representatives, expressed interest in its potential applications.
These conversations underscored the importance of integrating social dimensions into raw material project planning and evaluation. They also illustrated the growing recognition across sectors that innovation must align with societal values and community expectations.
The EU’s strong presence at PDAC further highlighted the strategic significance of such projects. Through the Horizon Europe programme, the EU has committed €470 million to more than 60 research and innovation projects in the raw materials domain. At PDAC 2025, 19 of these projects were featured at the EU pavilion, demonstrating a diverse range of approaches to exploration, processing, and circularity.
The AGEMERA project was presented alongside notable initiatives such as DINAMINE, METALLICO, REEsilience, SUPREEMO, and RAWMINA. This collective presence provided a comprehensive view of Europe’s coordinated efforts to ensure a sustainable and resilient supply of raw materials.
In reviewing AGEMERA’s role in this context, it becomes clear that the project not only contributes through technological development but also plays a role in policy dialogue and stakeholder engagement. Our outreach activities, including website and social media communications, have supported this broader mission.
In conclusion, PDAC 2025 was an effective venue for promoting AGEMERA and for situating its work within larger discussions about innovation, community responsibility, and strategic resource management. Follow-up discussions and collaborations are anticipated to continue in the months ahead.
Projects Presented at PDAC 2025:
AGEMERA EU Project, BatrawProjectEU, CRM-geothermal, Crusade Project, DigiEcoQuarry, DINAMINE, EuroTITAN, GoldenRAM, MASTERMINE Project, METALLICO Project, Mineye Project, PERSEPHONE Mining, RAWMINA Project, REEPRODUCE, REEsilience, ROTATE, SCIMIN – CRM, SUPREEMO Horizon Europe, TERRAVISION EU Project
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Author: Jari Joutsenvaara, Project Leader, AGEMERA Project, University of Oulu Kerttu Saalasti Institute
Photo: EU Booth staff
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