EIT Raw Materials Summit 2025: Mining the Future, One Mineral at a Time
Powering Europe’s Green and Defense Future with Critical Minerals

The EIT Raw Materials Summit 2025 is charging into Brussels from May 13-15, ready to shake up the world of critical raw materials (CRMs) with the urgency of a caffeinated startup founder pitching to Elon Musk. Held at the sleek The EGG, this 7th edition, themed Race to 2030, is the must-attend event for anyone serious about Europe’s green transition, strategic autonomy, and a carbon-neutral economy. With over 1,000 attendees from 55+ countries, it’s a global powwow tackling one of the EU’s thorniest challenges: securing the raw materials that power everything from electric vehicles to wind turbines.
Why the Buzz? It’s All About CRMs
Europe’s got a problem—80-100% of its critical raw materials, like lithium and rare earths, come from abroad. With global demand set to double by 2040, the stakes are higher than a sci-fi blockbuster. The EIT RawMaterials, backed by the European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT), is on a mission to slash this dependency through sustainable mining, recycling, and AI-driven efficiency. Their annual summit is the epicenter of this revolution, blending policy muscle, startup swagger, and industry know-how to keep Europe competitive and green.
Star-Studded Speakers Stealing the Show
This year’s lineup of 25+ speakers reads like a who’s-who of raw materials royalty. Picture this: Bernd Schäfer, CEO of EIT RawMaterials, dropping truth bombs on innovation; Naaja H. Nathanielsen, Greenland’s Minister of Business and Mineral Resources, bringing Arctic insights; and Jessika Roswall, EU Commissioner for Environment, laying out the EU’s green playbook. Add in heavyweights like Aurora Williams, Chile’s Minister of Mining, and Benedikt Sobotka, CEO of Alpha Future Funds, and you’ve got a stage hotter than a smelting furnace.
Other names to watch? Hildegard Bentele from the European Parliament, Krzysztof Galos, Poland’s climate ministry bigwig, and Alf Reistad, CEO of Rare Earths Norway, all set to spark debates on circular economies, workforce training, and global partnerships. With 60+ speakers across 20+ sessions, expect ideas to fly faster than a drone at a tech expo.
