Energy “transition” and raw material extraction: a dialogue between social scientists and geologists

In Europe today, the energy transition occurs mainly through developing so-called "green" industries: electric vehicles, wind turbines, and photovoltaic panels. However, these new industries require large quantities of raw materials, such as cobalt, lithium, and rare earths.

While these extractive activities are nothing new for geology researchers or students, they raise new questions: what impact does extraction have on nearby populations? To what extent do these populations benefit from the long-term spin-offs of mining activities, for example, employment? Do these activities give rise, as companies and governments often promise, to local development? These questions have also attracted growing interest in social science departments. More and more researchers and doctoral students are seeking to understand the power relationships between mining companies and local populations or how a European policy for a "mining revival" is shaping up. However, these researchers often need more geological knowledge: how can we understand the differences between different extraction techniques? How are mining investments designed and prepared? What technical options can limit the pollution from a mining site?

The idea behind this workshop is the need for interdisciplinary dialogue between geology and social science researchers. Consequently, it will seek to initiate such a dialogue within the Université libre de Bruxelles and with guests from other Belgian and French universities. The aim will be to approach mining issues from a cross-disciplinary perspective, enabling dialogue to identify points of common interest with a view to future activities.

Organisation
Quentin Deforge, Université libre de Bruxelles (REPI, SONYA, iiTSE)
Hamed Pourkhorsandi, Université libre de Bruxelles (G-Time) & Institut de Recherche pour le Développement (GET)

Registration required by March 20: https://forms.office.com/e/7aXZj95HH7

Friday, March 22nd 2024 – 9:00 am -1:30 pm

Programme

Venue
REPI Université libre de Bruxelles
Institute for European Studies – Geremek room
39 avenue Franklin Roosevelt
1050 Bruxelles

Photo: Ph. Bouysse and coll. - Geological Map of the World at 1:35M (revised issue, 3rd edition), CCGM-CGMW 2014