05/06/2025
LiCORNE Dissemination Event: market analysis, community engagement and development discussions
A large group of people arriving on 15 May to Milos island was gathering at Adamantas Conference Centre for the LiCORNE Dissemination Event. A homogenous group of participants, both local authorities and stakeholders from all conrners of Europe, some privileged and attending in person, others online, opened up the floor for discussions around innovative approaches for sustainable extraction of critical raw materials (CRMs) and the role of geothermal fields.
Organised by AdMIRIS on the Milos island, known for its rich geothermal and mineral resources, the event addressed mining sustainability and lithium market dynamics at international, European and national level.
Europe, from its position as an ambassador of the green transition, is expected to see a robust increase in demand for lithium. Although not as well endowed when it comes to lithium as Australia, China and Chile, it is still home to an estimated 5 % of the global reserves. Its insignificant contribution to the global supply highlights the need for strategic reserves and investments in mining and recycling to ensure a stable supply and resilience against market volatility. Presentations at LiCORNE’s Dissemination Event hinted at timely investments in strategic reserves of lithium while prices remain low. This would, ideally, run in parallel with investing in new mines in Europe, incentives for recycling initiatives and continuous development of a performant infrastructure to support the adoption of electric vehicles.
Lithium exploration in Greece
After a brief introduction into the strategic importance of lithium as a critical raw material for green technologies, Dr. Christos Kanellopoulos from the Hellenic Survey of Geology and Mineral Exploration (HSGME), mapped various Li deposits on the map of Greece, along with national exploration projects currently assessing the metal’s presence in various ore deposits – pegmatites, lignite deposits, high salinity closed lakes, geothermal fluids and tertiary basins.
The impact of mining activities
Getting lithium out of European ground is not easy. The metal can be found mostly in hard-rock deposits, which require open pit mines that are usually large, polluting, water-intensive and noisy. Mining projects in Europe are often met with hostile attitudes by the “not-in-my-backyard” and environmental groups. The Greek perception on the mining context in Europe, presented by Mr. Konstantinos Yazitzoglou, Chairman of the Greek Mining Enterprises Association, was both awakening and engaging.
The first take-away set the context, which reminded clearly that all human activities, including mining, create an impact on the environment. Our challenge today is to balance this impact with the benefits it brings. Historically, Western countries have subcontracted mining activities to other parts of the world, often disregarding the environmental and social impacts. Today, this practice is no longer sustainable as those regions are no longer willing to bear the negative consequences.
The BRICS group controls a significant portion of the world’s critical raw materials. With this challenging scenario, Europe has initiated strategic projects and legislative measures to address this issue, but progress has been relatively slow.
The mining industry carries a few ‘negative images’ – including incidents, professional provocateurs and spontaneous reactions from local communities, that should be addressed if Europe aims to resuscitate its mining activities.
- It is a shared duty to treat the matter with full transparency, offering all necessary information to the public.
- Exploring companies and authorities must listen and explain in plain language, ensuring everyone can understand the process and the implications involved.
- Setting up commonly acceptable checkpoints is crucial to maintain trust and accountability.
- As an evolving and dynamic society, it is our duty to educate people not only about the need for raw materials, but also about the available technologies for sustainable and safe mining.
- And finally, legislative bodies must ascertain that the laws are there for everybody and will be respected, embracing a culture of compliance and responsibility.
To foster a healthy relationship with local communities, finding common grounds on how to disagree and addressing concerns with full transparency remain essential. Emphasising the social dimensions of mining, Mr. Konstantinos Yazitzoglou presented a Greek initiative to create a network of mining township to promote the coexistence of mining and local communities.
When local community doesn’t see eye to eye with industrial developers
During the second part, the LiCORNE Dissemination event spiced up with contradictory presentations. PPC Renewables, operating numerous wind farms, hydroelectric and photovoltaic plants and a hybrid power plant, has recently leased several geothermal concessions in different regions in Greece, including one in Milos-Kimolos-Polyaigos island group. Geophysical surveys and drilling have revealed significant geothermal potential in Milos. Key findings include high conductivity areas in the eastern part of the island, a clear division of the island into two geological sections, and the presence of geothermal fluids in the eastern part of the island.
Despite the richness of the geological formations and the company’s initiatives to engage with the local community, during the event, local authorities made an announcement that no geothermal explorations will take place on the Milos island.
Imerys use case: when mining activities and tourism coexist
However, the island already has exemplary use cases of mining activities nurtured through social responsibility and engagement with local communities. Imerys is a world leader in mineral-based specialties, providing high-added solutions to various industries, including construction and consumer goods. The company, also a partner in the LiCORNE project, succeeds through performant operations, commercial excellence, market-driven innovation and a strong business model.
Imerys SustainAgility programme – Corporate Social Responsibility approach
In 2018, Imerys launched their SustainAgility programme, structured into three key areas:
- Empowering people: Ensuring health and safety, nurturing talent and fostering inclusion.
- Caring for the planet: Protecting the environment, using resources efficiently, preserving biodiversity and acting on climate change.
- Building for the future: Acting fairly and responsibly, ensuring responsible purchasing, working with communities and promoting sustainable products.
Social License to Operate in Milos
Imerys use case reflecting their activities on the Milos island is a sustained effort across several years. Three to four years of corporate involvement in identifying stakeholders, analysing their influence and interests, managing relationships, planning and reporting outcomes through consultation, communication, negotiation, compromise and building relationships that stand the test of time. Imerys presence in Milos, especially during the Covid pandemic, ensured the island’s resilience in times when tourism regular activities were restricted. Imerys long-term operation in Milos relies on balanced development, co-existing with tourism businesses. The company has invested in various initiatives to secure social acceptance and support from the local community.
R&I initiatives driven by sustainable exploration approach
Various partners in the LiCORNE project presented their innovative research and innovation [R&I] approaches aimed at supporting the sustainable exploration and exploitation of lithium resources. These partners showcased cutting-edge technologies and methodologies designed to minimise environmental impact while maximising resource efficiency, ensuring that lithium extraction aligns with sustainability goals and contributes to the green energy transition.
The LiCORNE project coordinator, Dr. Lourdes Yurramendi opened the technical sessions with an introduction into the scope of work and the objectives, leading after the conversation to the presentations of the specific technologies explored by the LiCORNE partners:
- NTUA: “Pyrometallurgical transformation of primary mineral resources for the production of upgraded lithium solutions”
- VITO: “Ion-exchange process and Gas Diffusion Electrocrystallization for Direct Lithium Extraction from spodumene concentrate”
- KIT: “Electrochemical Desalination and its Potential in the Selective Extraction of Lithium from Geothermal Brines”
- FRAUNHOFER: “Advanced electrodialysis approach for lithium recovery from geothermal resources“
- SINTEF: “Recovery of Li from off spec cathode waste by molten salt chlorination”
EU funding for R&I sector
At the LiCORNE EU Project Dissemination event, Nader Akil [Business Operations Manager at PNO] outlined how the EU’s funding is strategically distributed to support R&I initiatives like LiCORNE. The EU’s evolving policy mix, including the Critical Raw Materials Act [CRMA], proposed in March 2023, focuses on ensuring a diverse and secure supply of materials for new industries, setting priorities and benchmarks for 2030. The NetZero Industry Act [NZIA] aims to scale up clean technology manufacturing in the EU to 40 %, with fast-track permitting and strategic projects. The Innovation Fund, closely tied to the NZIA, supports net-zero technologies, including €1 billion for electric vehicle battery cell manufacturing and funding for lithium extraction combined with geothermal installations. The Competitiveness Compass aims to retain Europe’s competitive edge by closing the innovation gap and decarbonising high-impact sectors. With over €22.5 billion in strategic project investments and ambitious 2030 benchmarks, structured innovation ecosystems are essential.
