Invitation

DGL-WSM.074.2.2025.AKK

Warszawa, 27-02-2025

Erkki Keldo Minister of Economy and Industry Estonia

Dear Minister,

I am honoured to invite you to participate in the High Level Conference on EU Raw Materials Policy, organized as part of the Polish presidency of the EU Council. The conference will take place on 6 May in Krakow, followed by an optional field trips on 7 May. Furthermore, I have the honour to invite you to a gala dinner for EU Ministers on 5 May.

The main objective of the conference is to engage in a comprehensive debate on the European Union's raw materials policy, with a particular focus on critical raw materials essential for the EU's energy and digital transformation. The conference aims to facilitate the exchange of views on priorities related to raw materials policies, the implementation of the Critical Raw Materials Act, international cooperation in the raw materials sector, and strategic projects concerning critical raw materials. Additionally, it will explore avenues for supporting investments in these areas to enhance the EU's sustainability and competitiveness. The event is organized in English and co-organized with EIT Raw Materials, Polish Geological Institute-National Research Institute, AGH University of Science and Technology.

I would be grateful if you could accept our invitation to take part in this conference. Please find attached the draft conference program. You may also wish to nominate accompanying persons who will be attending the conference. Due to the limited venues for the gala dinner on 5 May (underground salt mine), the invitation is extended to one member state representative.

If you have any questions do not hesitate to ask. The person who is in charge is Mr Michal Nowosielski, [email protected] tel. (+48) 783 932 670

I would be grateful if you could confirm your attendance by 14 March 2025.

Your sincerely

Krzysztof Galos Undersecretary of State Ministry of Climate and Environment / – digitally signed/

Polska Prezydencja w Radzie UE Polish presidency of the Council of the EU Présidence polonaise du Conseil de l'UE

Preliminary draft

THE EU RAW MATERIALS POLICY CONFERENCE

6th May 2025 Kraków, Poland AGH University of Science and Technology Al. Mickiewicza 30, Kraków

The main objective of the conference is to engage in a comprehensive debate on the European Union's raw materials policy, with a particular focus on critical raw materials essential for the EU's energy and digital transformation. The conference aims to facilitate the exchange of views on priorities related to raw materials policies, the implementation of the Critical Raw Materials Act, international cooperation in the raw materials industry, and strategic projects concerning critical raw materials. Additionally, it will explore avenues for supporting investments in these areas to enhance the EU's sustainability and competitiveness.

The event is organized in English.

The event is co-organized with EIT Raw Materials, Polish Geological Institute-National Research Institute, AGH University of Science and Technology.

Programme

9:00 – 10:00 – Registration of participants

10:00 – 10:30 – Opening of the EU RAW MATERIALS POLICY CONFERENCE

10:30 – 11:15 – The importance of Raw Materials Policy in ensuring the raw materials security of the EU and Member States This high-level panel brings together policymakers and leaders for an open discussion on EU and member states raw materials policy. Topics will focus on the crucial role of the Critical Raw Materials Act (CRMA) in strengthening EU prosperity through competitiveness and resilience.

Polska Prezydencja w Radzie UE Polish presidency of the Council of the EU Présidence polonaise du Conseil de l'UE

11:15 – 11:30 Coffee break

11:30 – 12:15 – Raw materials supply chain for Europe's industry

Panel brings together industry leaders and investors for an open discussion on Europe’s

investment attractiveness, focussing on the expected impact of the CRMA.

12:15 – 13:00 - The role of geological surveys in ensuring the EU raw materials security

Panel brings together representatives of the national geological surveys to discuss the key

role of the geological surveys in securing supplies of critical raw materials.

13:00 – 14:00 Lunch break

14:00 – 14:45 Raw materials diplomacy - Strategic Partnerships On Raw Materials

Discussions will cover the key role of the dialogues with non-EU countries in the aspect of

critical raw materials value chains.

14:45 –15:30 EU Strategic projects

The first list of CRMA Strategic Projects will be announced in March 2025. Selected strategic

project promoters will be invited to present their projects, explain how they align with the

CRMA, and share their views on the application process.

15:30 – 15:45 Coffee break

15:45 – 16:30 Support of projects along the critical raw materials value chain

This panel will explore various funding opportunities at both EU and national levels, as well as

how research and technological advancements can drive the development of EU investments.

16:30 – 17:00 Closing Speech

18:00 – 20:00 Gala dinner (TBC) – GRAND HOTEL KRAKÓW, ul. Sławkowska 5/7

Polska Prezydencja w Radzie UE Polish presidency of the Council of the EU Présidence polonaise du Conseil de l'UE

Day II – 7 May 2025 8:00 – 16:00 Field trips

Visit to ZGH Bolesław in Olkusz – Recovery of raw materials from mining waste and other industrial waste Participants will have the opportunity to visit ZGH Bolesław in Olkusz, where the focus will be on the recovery of valuable zinc raw materials from tailings (flotation waste), steel dust and other industrial waste. This visit will highlight the world class achievements regarding zinc raw materials production from industrial waste sources.

Visit to Elemental Strategic Metals in Zawiercie – Recovery of raw materials from batteries and catalysts. Participants will also visit Elemental Strategic Metals, where the recovery of raw materials from batteries and catalysts will be presented. This tour will highlight good practices in sustainable resource management and the recycling of critical materials from end-of-life products.

DGL-WSM.074.2.2025.AKK

Warszawa, 27-02-2025

Erkki Keldo Minister of Economy and Industry Estonia

Dear Minister,

I am honoured to invite you to participate in the High Level Conference on EU Raw Materials Policy, organized as part of the Polish presidency of the EU Council. The conference will take place on 6 May in Krakow, followed by an optional field trips on 7 May. Furthermore, I have the honour to invite you to a gala dinner for EU Ministers on 5 May.

The main objective of the conference is to engage in a comprehensive debate on the European Union's raw materials policy, with a particular focus on critical raw materials essential for the EU's energy and digital transformation. The conference aims to facilitate the exchange of views on priorities related to raw materials policies, the implementation of the Critical Raw Materials Act, international cooperation in the raw materials sector, and strategic projects concerning critical raw materials. Additionally, it will explore avenues for supporting investments in these areas to enhance the EU's sustainability and competitiveness. The event is organized in English and co-organized with EIT Raw Materials, Polish Geological Institute-National Research Institute, AGH University of Science and Technology.

I would be grateful if you could accept our invitation to take part in this conference. Please find attached the draft conference program. You may also wish to nominate accompanying persons who will be attending the conference. Due to the limited venues for the gala dinner on 5 May (underground salt mine), the invitation is extended to one member state representative.

If you have any questions do not hesitate to ask. The person who is in charge is Mr Michal Nowosielski, [email protected] tel. (+48) 783 932 670

I would be grateful if you could confirm your attendance by 14 March 2025.

Your sincerely

Krzysztof Galos Undersecretary of State Ministry of Climate and Environment / – digitally signed/

Polska Prezydencja w Radzie UE Polish presidency of the Council of the EU Présidence polonaise du Conseil de l'UE

Preliminary draft

THE EU RAW MATERIALS POLICY CONFERENCE

6th May 2025 Kraków, Poland AGH University of Science and Technology Al. Mickiewicza 30, Kraków

The main objective of the conference is to engage in a comprehensive debate on the European Union's raw materials policy, with a particular focus on critical raw materials essential for the EU's energy and digital transformation. The conference aims to facilitate the exchange of views on priorities related to raw materials policies, the implementation of the Critical Raw Materials Act, international cooperation in the raw materials industry, and strategic projects concerning critical raw materials. Additionally, it will explore avenues for supporting investments in these areas to enhance the EU's sustainability and competitiveness.

The event is organized in English.

The event is co-organized with EIT Raw Materials, Polish Geological Institute-National Research Institute, AGH University of Science and Technology.

Programme

9:00 – 10:00 – Registration of participants

10:00 – 10:30 – Opening of the EU RAW MATERIALS POLICY CONFERENCE

10:30 – 11:15 – The importance of Raw Materials Policy in ensuring the raw materials security of the EU and Member States This high-level panel brings together policymakers and leaders for an open discussion on EU and member states raw materials policy. Topics will focus on the crucial role of the Critical Raw Materials Act (CRMA) in strengthening EU prosperity through competitiveness and resilience.

Polska Prezydencja w Radzie UE Polish presidency of the Council of the EU Présidence polonaise du Conseil de l'UE

11:15 – 11:30 Coffee break

11:30 – 12:15 – Raw materials supply chain for Europe's industry

Panel brings together industry leaders and investors for an open discussion on Europe’s

investment attractiveness, focussing on the expected impact of the CRMA.

12:15 – 13:00 - The role of geological surveys in ensuring the EU raw materials security

Panel brings together representatives of the national geological surveys to discuss the key

role of the geological surveys in securing supplies of critical raw materials.

13:00 – 14:00 Lunch break

14:00 – 14:45 Raw materials diplomacy - Strategic Partnerships On Raw Materials

Discussions will cover the key role of the dialogues with non-EU countries in the aspect of

critical raw materials value chains.

14:45 –15:30 EU Strategic projects

The first list of CRMA Strategic Projects will be announced in March 2025. Selected strategic

project promoters will be invited to present their projects, explain how they align with the

CRMA, and share their views on the application process.

15:30 – 15:45 Coffee break

15:45 – 16:30 Support of projects along the critical raw materials value chain

This panel will explore various funding opportunities at both EU and national levels, as well as

how research and technological advancements can drive the development of EU investments.

16:30 – 17:00 Closing Speech

18:00 – 20:00 Gala dinner (TBC) – GRAND HOTEL KRAKÓW, ul. Sławkowska 5/7

Polska Prezydencja w Radzie UE Polish presidency of the Council of the EU Présidence polonaise du Conseil de l'UE

Day II – 7 May 2025 8:00 – 16:00 Field trips

Visit to ZGH Bolesław in Olkusz – Recovery of raw materials from mining waste and other industrial waste Participants will have the opportunity to visit ZGH Bolesław in Olkusz, where the focus will be on the recovery of valuable zinc raw materials from tailings (flotation waste), steel dust and other industrial waste. This visit will highlight the world class achievements regarding zinc raw materials production from industrial waste sources.

Visit to Elemental Strategic Metals in Zawiercie – Recovery of raw materials from batteries and catalysts. Participants will also visit Elemental Strategic Metals, where the recovery of raw materials from batteries and catalysts will be presented. This tour will highlight good practices in sustainable resource management and the recycling of critical materials from end-of-life products.