Save the date: Xplorer 2026 Oulu - Redesign Mining

The Xplorer 2026 conference combines everyday life, science and art to raise awareness of the necessity of sustainable mining.

The demand for metals is forever increasing along the transition towards green and carbon-neutral society. For example, electrification of vehicles, production of clean energy, and utilization of industrial side streams are based on technology that uses minerals and metals as raw materials. Without critical elements, no modern mobility, energy production or consumer electronics would exist.

Consumers are awakened to the impact of their own choices in purchasing and recycling products on the need to extract more raw materials from the earth. On the other hand, scientists are working to find new ways to mine sustainably, enrich minerals into metals and process them into new products in the most environmentally friendly and resource-wise way.

The program is divided into a Public Day and Science Days sections. The Public Day welcomes people of all ages interested in sustainability, circular economy, mining and cooperation to take part in various activities of the day. Universities´ research is brought close to the ordinary people to facilitate communication and create understanding on the need of sustainable mining that affects all of us. The themes are explored more deeply in the following Science Days where holistic perspective is taken to the mining industry. In presentations given by leading experts of the field, mining industry is viewed through sustainability, new methods and processes, the environment, business and people.

Public Day, 9.6.2026
In the long run, everyday decisions people make regarding mobility, use of energy, purchases and recycling influence on the need to establish new mines. The mission of the day is to provide an open dialogue platform for visitors and specialists to discuss on the trends of sustainable development and circular economy. Many interesting activities are available during the day. Researchers and other specialists present their work on the circular economy at demonstration points, which provide an excellent opportunity for public to make questions or research samples with available equipment. Guided tours arranged in Linnanmaa campus area offer possibility to learn more about the world of rocks, the purposes for which rocks are used, the evolution and birth history. Cultural performances illustrate sustainability in the artistic way. For example, we can admire the journey of ore from the earth's crust to everyday products. In workshops people can create their own vision on sustainability, how the past time or future would look like with or without mines. These and many more activities are included in the program of the day that is published in the autumn 2025.

Science Days, 10-11.6.2026
Rapidly proceeding digitalization and automation change the way industry sectors operate. In ideal circumstances, new technological achievements can be utilized to develop a mining industry that does not produce any waste or cause a negative impact on the environment. Top class international researchers and experts present latest advances in sustainable mining via eight thematic sessions of the conference. Sessions cover biodiversity, arctic water, new technologies for green transition and energy, primary and secondary raw materials, minerals and metal value chains, social license to operate, CRM, legislation and circular economy business. More detailed program of the conference is published in the autumn 2025.


ORGANIZERS

University of Oulu
Prof. Saija Luukkanen
Director of Oulu Mining School
saija.luukkanen(at)oulu.fi

Anu Sirviö, Account Manager
Faculty of Technology
anu.sirvio(at)oulu.fi

The Xplorer network
LUT University
University of Oulu
University of Eastern Finland
Kajaani University of Applied Sciences
Lapland University of Applied Sciences
Sofi Filtration Oy