Venue: Faculty of Geology, University of Oviedo, Asturias, Spain
Date: 17 June 2026
Time: 09:00 – 14:00h
On 17 June 2026, the DEXPLORE project will host its second clustering event, “Exploring Together: From Deep Exploration to Responsible Exploitation of Critical Raw Materials”, at the University of Oviedo, Faculty of Geology (Oviedo, Asturias).
Organised in collaboration with MINERSA and TerraDat Geophysics S.L., the event will bring together European projects, industry representatives, policymakers, and regional stakeholders working across the critical raw materials (CRM) value chain.
From exploration to impact
As Europe advances towards a more resilient and sustainable supply of critical raw materials, DEXPLORE is contributing with a new generation of deep-land exploration solutions that combine:
- Advanced mineral system modelling
- Earth Observation-based surface exploration
- Innovative deep geophysical techniques
These approaches are being validated through calibration pilots in Spain, including the Asturian fluorite deposits operated by MINERSA, as well as a final in-field pilot in Estonia.
Why Oviedo? Bridging strategy and real-world testing
Hosting this event in Oviedo provides a unique opportunity to connect high-level discussions with real industrial application. The Asturian pilot site serves as a living laboratory where advanced exploration technologies and data integration approaches are tested in operational conditions, showcasing how innovation can support responsible and socially accepted mining in Europe.
A dynamic agenda: from policy to practice
The event will follow a structured agenda combining strategic discussions, technical insights, and collaborative sessions.
The day will begin with an institutional opening featuring:
- Welcome and objectives by ICAMCyL and ISMC representatives
- Opening remarks from the European Commission
- Insights on Asturias as a mining and innovation region
- A keynote on European pathways and barriers from exploration to exploitation
This will be followed by two thematic sessions:
Session 1: Pilots and projects on the path from exploration to exploitation
This session will highlight real industrial and research initiatives, including:
- The MINERSA fluorite district as a testbed for deep-land exploration
- European pilot experiences linking subsurface data with exploitation decisions
- Case studies on rare earth exploration and industrial programmes
Session 2: Digital platforms and social licence for responsible exploitation
The second session will shift the focus towards enabling tools and societal aspects, covering:
- Digital twins and open data platforms for CRM
- Social licence to operate (SLO) and stakeholder trust in mining regions
- Earth Observation applications for exploration
- Virtual platforms such as WIDEX supporting collaboration, training, and data sharing
The event will conclude with a joint discussion and closing remarks led by ISMC.
From ideas to action
Building on previous clustering activities, this second event aims to move decisively from discussion to implementation by:
- Reviewing synergies and gaps identified across CRM projects
- Defining concrete joint actions, including shared datasets and coordinated policy contributions
- Strengthening collaboration on training, stakeholder engagement, and digital platforms
- Advancing interoperability, visualisation, and digital twin approaches
Strengthening collaboration and social acceptance
A key pillar of the event is the engagement of regional and local stakeholders, including authorities, industry, academia, clusters, and citizens. This multi-actor dialogue is essential to reinforce the social licence to operate and maximise the regional impact of CRM initiatives.
Discussions will also address key challenges along the pathway from exploration to exploitation, in line with the EU Critical Raw Materials Act and broader European strategic priorities.
Join us
This clustering event offers a valuable opportunity to connect with leading experts, exchange knowledge, and shape future collaboration in the European critical raw materials ecosystem.
