Germany, often hailed for its technological prowess and commitment to environmental sustainability, finds itself at a crossroads when it comes to its mining and resources future.

Historically, mining has played a vital role in Germany’s economy, but the industry now faces a multitude of challenges that demand a balanced approach to ensure economic growth and environmental conservation while reducing the country’s reliance on imported resources.

The International Mining and Resources Conference (IMARC), to be held in Sydney later this year, will for the first time host a dedicated Germany Pavilion, where the country’s mining and METS companies will be looking to connect and collaborate with Australian and global industry partners to address the challenges of the global quest for the resources of the future.

Germany’s mining heritage dates back centuries, with coal and lignite mining significantly contributing to its industrialisation and economic growth. However, as the world moves towards cleaner and more sustainable energy sources, the prominence of coal has waned, leading to a gradual phase-out of coal mining in the country. This shift aligns with Germany’s commitment to reducing carbon emissions and transitioning to renewable energy.

Juergen Wallstabe from the German-Australian Chamber of Industry and Commerce says that although mining activities have declined across Europe over several decades, Germany has expanded its global presence in the resources sector. High-tech METS companies in Germany are increasing their export of innovative and technologically advanced solutions worldwide.

He is confident IMARC will open more doors for established and emerging German firms to enhance their reputation for technological excellence and innovation.

“Germany’s leading position in engineering and manufacturing has resulted in a world-leading METS sector,” Mr Wallstabe says.

“We are convinced that on the one hand, German METS companies can support the Australian and other mining industry operators to reach their targets related to safety, productivity, efficiency, and decarbonisation.

“On the other hand, Australia is a valuable partner for Germany’s resources needs.”

One of the key themes at IMARC in recent years has been the industry’s impact on the environment and its role in building a sustainable decarbonised economy. A particular focus has been the often-unwelcome legacy of operations, where mining activities have left lasting scars on landscapes, disrupted ecosystems, and polluted water sources.

Wallstabe says that IMARC provides an opportunity to showcase how Germany’s emphasis on environmental protection has led to stringent regulations for mitigating these legacy impacts.

“Germany’s commitment to remediating and restoring abandoned mining sites demonstrates our dedication to healing environmental wounds,” he says. “IMARC offers a chance to share our experiences and learn from others facing similar challenges.”

Meanwhile, energy security is once again a buzzword in Europe, partly driven by the ongoing war in Ukraine and the impact of reliable energy supply, but also as a result of shifting political environments in countries like Germany.

Germany’s ambitious Energiewende (energy transition) plan aims to eliminate nuclear power and significantly reduce carbon emissions by promoting renewable energy sources. Consequently, the focus has shifted towards sustainable mining practices that support the production of materials crucial for renewable energy technologies, such as lithium for batteries and rare earth elements for wind turbines and solar panels. This presents an opportunity for the mining sector to contribute positively to Germany’s energy transformation.

Wallstabe notes that, “To manage the energy transition, Germany’s and Europe’s need for critical minerals will increase dramatically for the foreseeable future. Australia is already and will continue to be a key player in securing a steady supply of critical minerals. Wind turbines need steel, copper and strong magnets with rare earths minerals. Batteries consist of a wide range of critical minerals like lithium, manganese, copper, nickel, cobalt and the hydrogen industry needs platinum, iridium or scandium. All resources that Europe struggles to produce in sufficient quantities.”

IMARC spokesperson Paul Phelan says it is significant to have Germany so strongly represented at this year’s event. He says delegates can look forward to a showcase of Germany’s renowned innovation, and how it extends to the mining sector.

Like most other advanced nations, Germany’s mining industry is intertwined with global supply chains, both as a consumer of raw materials and as a supplier of technology and machinery. Ensuring ethical sourcing and responsible procurement of minerals from abroad becomes crucial in upholding the nation’s commitment to sustainability.

Finland, on the other hand, is taking a different approach towards securing critical minerals by prioritising e-waste recycling. Birgit Tegethoff, Senior Advisor at Business Finland Australia, points out Finland’s position as a global leader in the e-waste recycling noting companies like Metso are leading the world with its hydrometallurgical battery black mass recycling process.

“The Finnish mineral industry has the circular economy heavily ingrained in its DNA which has given it a competitive advantage in the global market,” she says. “By increasing the number of recycled components in battery production we are able to reduce the carbon footprint throughout our battery supply chain but also reduce our dependencies on international supply chains.”

High on Finland’s agenda is developing strategic international partnerships in the green minerals sector. The head of the Finnish delegation, Ilkka Homanen, has extended an invitation to Australian research institutes and the broader resource industry to reach out at IMARC 2023 and become part of a consortia solving the challenges of the green minerals value chain.

Rolf Kuby, Director-General of Euromines, says the issues facing Germany and Finland are not unique to those countries, but are felt across Europe.

“Australia embraced its natural endowment as a major strategic asset, while Europe has been over the last decades focused more on acquiring raw materials from elsewhere to process them further,” Kuby says.

“In part, this is due to the lack of deposits but also due to lack of exploration and willingness to foster mining. This is now changing, with the increase in demand for critical raw materials, and the need to future-proof value chains and not to be naive towards the importance of building a degree of open strategic autonomy.”

Phelan says along with the Germany pavilion, there will be a 90-minute German Program at IMARC 2023, curated by the German delegation and Chamber within the Global Opportunities Theatre.

Other programs featured this year include Canada, Australia, Mongolia, Ecuador, Chile, Saudi Arabia, Quebec, Ontario and South Korea.

International Mining is a media sponsor of IMARC 2023