Research Theme #8
Critical Raw Materials: From Geological Processes to Societal Pathways
Keywords: Critical Raw Materials; OreForming Processes; LandUse Constraints; Sweden–Chile Comparison
Workshop Leaders (PIs)
Irene Del Real
Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile
Irene.delreal@uc.cl
Joel Andersson
Luleå University of Technology
joel.bh.andersson@ltu.se
Research Theme Summary
The accelerating demand for critical raw materials driven by global energy and digital transitions places new demands on both geological understanding and societal decision-making. Sweden and Chile are globally significant mining nations that share fundamentally similar geological architectures, expressed across different geological time periods and tectonic settings. This provides a unique opportunity to compare how analogous ore-forming processes are preserved, modified, and exposed under different crustal histories and surface conditions, while shaping land use, environmental impact, and social acceptance.
This Research Theme is anchored in geology, focusing on the processes that control formation, distribution, and accessibility of critical raw materials. By examining key mineral deposit types in both countries, the workshop will explore how geological processes influence resource potential and exploration strategies across geological time. As most surface deposits have already been identified in both regions, meeting future demand will require detection of orebodies buried under cover, where advanced understanding of ore-forming processes is essential. Building on this, the theme examines how geological characteristics translate into societal challenges and opportunities. Factors such as ore body geometry, depth, and mineralogy influence extraction methods, infrastructure, and environmental footprints, shaping interactions with regulatory frameworks, local communities, and indigenous groups.
The workshop fosters exchange between geoscientists, social scientists, and engineers focused on mining and exploration for CRMs through structured discussions and group work. It aims to generate new collaborations, joint funding initiatives, and a co-created synthesis statement to be developed across future ACCESS Forums.
Desired Expertise
The RT seeks researchers in: (i) geosciences, particularly ore-forming processes, mineral deposits, critical raw materials, mineral exploration, and environmental geoscience; (ii) mining engineering, particularly mine planning and the relationships between orebody characteristics, extraction methods, land use, and environmental impacts; and (iii) social sciences, particularly the social sustainability of mining, natural-resource governance, land-use conflicts, Indigenous perspectives, and mining–community relations. The RT seeks a balanced interdisciplinary dialogue between the geological, engineering, environmental, and societal dimensions of critical raw materials. Participation by PhD students and early-career researchers is strongly encouraged.
Join this Workshop.
About the ACCESS Forum & Research Themes (RTs)
-
The ACCESS Forum is an immersive, bi-national event held every 18 months that connects scholars across Chilean and Swedish member universities to address global societal challenges. Rather than functioning as a standard academic conference with passive presentations, an ACCESS workshop operates as an intensive, dedicated "working laboratory."
Participants commit to a single Research Theme (RT)—a targeted, co-led scientific initiative aligned with the ACCESS Research Framework. Over four days of collaborative work sessions, interactive discussions, and co-design activities, participants remain with the same cohort to move research ideas from concept to action.
-
By joining our workshop cohort at the upcoming ACCESS Forum, you will:
Co-Develop Concrete Outcomes: Work directly toward joint academic publications, collaborative grant proposals (e.g., ANID, STINT, Horizon Europe), co-supervision of PhD candidates, etc.
Cross-Contextual Insights: Exchange datasets, methodologies, and local perspectives between Chilean and Swedish contexts.
Expand Your Network: Connect with senior researchers, Early Career Researchers (ECRs), and non-academic stakeholders across both research and innovation ecosystems.
-
To apply for a seat in this Research Theme workshop, please review the desired expertise above and complete the application form before the registration deadline.
IMPORTANT: Applications from ACCESS member universities will be prioritize.Apply here by 1 November 2026: XXX