Workshop: Latin America – Europe: Cooperation opportunities for a more sustainable raw materials industry. The EU-AlSiCal project case.
When?: 30 – 31 de enero de 2024
Where?: Brasilia
Hybrid format, in person (previous invitation) and online (REGISTER FFORM)
PROGRAM
Background
This Workshop is organized with the aim of discussing the main challenges faced by the Aluminum and other metallurgical industry throughout its value chain, from extraction to the production of final products.
Firstly, the energy transition has become a determining factor for the aluminum industry. The demand for this metal has significantly increased due to its use in key sectors for the transition to cleaner and more sustainable energy sources. One of the most important challenges in the Aluminum industry is to find alternative sources and processes that can reduce the carbon footprint, diversify supply and adopt more sustainable practices.
Each stage of the Aluminum value chain presents challenges in terms of environmental, social, and economic sustainability. It is necessary to minimize the environmental impact of mineral extraction and ensure proper management of waste and by-products generated in the process while maintaining the industry’s competitiveness and profitability in an increasingly demanding global market.
This entails striking a balance between adopting more sustainable technologies and optimizing costs in the production chain.
Furthermore, it is essential for different stakeholders in society, including industry, science, governments, and communities, to reach a consensus on what a truly sustainable mining and metallurgical industry means, with clear and measurable criteria that allow for the continuous evaluation and improvement of practices and processes used in aluminum production.
Lastly, it is crucial for the industry and governance to establish open and transparent dialogue with communities, promote participation and collaboration, and foster practices that generate trust and social acceptance.
EU AlSiCal project
AlSiCal is a Research & Innovation H2020 project that has developed an innovative, groundbreaking technology for the sustainable production of three high-demand raw materials (alumina, silica, and precipitated calcium carbonate) from currently unexploited aluminosilicate resources (anorthosite), with no bauxite residue generation and potentially with a negative balance of CO2 emission.
This technology is based on one single processing route and has been validated at TRL4 (partly at TRL5). The Consortium is now assessing the techno-economic feasibility, the potential value creation for Europe, as well as the impact and potential risks based on three key sustainability pillars: economy, society, and environment.
Scope and objectives:
This Workshop is organized by the Association of Iberoamerican Geological and Mining Surveys (ASGMI) with the support of PNO, IFE and the Brazilian Geological Survey (CPRM-SGB).
The main objective is to establish a dialogue among different social actors (industry, research, governance, and communities) that allows for obtaining answers to meet the growing demand for Aluminum as a result of the energy transition, in a sustainable manner while maintaining the industry’s competitiveness and profitability, as well as social acceptance.
The workshop will also increase awareness of EU AlSiCal proposed technology for the co-production of 3 key raw materials (alumina, silica and precipitated calcium carbonate) with negative CO2 emissions and zero-waste, highlighting its main achievements and way forward.
Hence, this event aims to:
- Discuss different perspectives related to sustainability, stewardship, R&D situation and needs in the Aluminium industry, with focus on alumina production, as well as challenges and roadmap for Aluminium as a raw material essential for the green transition.
- To provide an overview of new technologies, innovations, and challenges related to the aluminum and other metals industries throughout their value chain, encompassing social acceptance of mining activities, extraction processes, and transformation of the mineral into its final products.
- Position AlSiCal technology as a supplementary route to the existing alumina value chain. We will address the challenges of turning an unexploited domestic ore (anorthosite) into a sustainable resource for the alternative alumina production and boost symbiotic value chains.
- Foster future synergies with governance, academia and industry.
REGISTRATION
The Workshop is freely accessible. Only registered participants will have access to the workshop and the informative material. This event will be organised in a hybrid format.
DO YOU WANT TO ATTEND IN PERSON?
Ask for your ticket HERE