Mining often conjures up negative imagery: environmental damage, pollution, and disruption to local communities. Yet, as we’ve explored in previous episodes of Pardon My Planet, critical raw materials are essential to modern life. They power solar panels and wind turbines, are at the core of smartphones and electric vehicles, and even play a crucial role in medical technologies, from MRI machines to lithium batteries used in mental health treatments. And these are just a few examples.

So, how can we meet this growing demand while ensuring mineral exploration and mining are more responsible and sustainable?

To explore this question, we’re joined by Jamie Newall, CEO of Quest Critical Metals and involved in EIS, an EU-funded project focused on making mineral exploration more precise and less disruptive, and Stéphane Bourg, president of PROMETIA, an association promoting innovation in mineral processing and extractive metallurgy. Stéphane is also involved in SCRREEN3, a Horizon Europe project working to strengthen Europe’s critical raw materials strategy.

More information on: lgi.earth/podcast