A round table discussion with experts at UM on the issue of reopening mines in France

[Press release] - Published on November 4, 2024 in Press Room, Science-Society

On Tuesday, November 12, experts will gather for a roundtable discussion on the environmental, economic, and societal challenges of mining, which is essential to renewable energy but often has controversial consequences. The conference is organized as part of the Oreme (Montpellier Environmental Research Observatory) mini-conference series and will be held in the Panacée auditorium.

Free conference with no registration required, subject to availability

Mineral resources and ecological transition: reconciling energy and the environment

OREME, the Research Environment Research Observatory, is organizing a conference open to the general public to address a key question: should mines be reopened in France to support the energy transition? As demand for critical mineral resources increases with the rise of renewable energies (wind turbines, electric batteries), the debate is open: how can these needs be met while limiting environmental impacts?

Experts will discuss the challenges of mining, the risks to soil, water, and biodiversity, as well as economic and societal dilemmas, such as energy independence and conflicts of local use. The round table will explore solutions for sustainable supply, reconciling economic development and respect for the ecosystem.

Oreme in a nutshell

The Montpellier Environment Research Observatory, an internal school of the University of Montpellier, is an observatory of the sciences of the universe. It focuses on natural risks and the impact of global and anthropogenic changes on the living and inert Mediterranean space, thanks to the expertise of its partners in geosciences, hydrosciences, biodiversity sciences, and ecology.