essential minerals — Larnaca is set to host a significant gathering focused on essential minerals as the Cyprus Presidency of the Council of the European Union sponsors the Entrepreneurs’ Forum on May 28, 2026. This half-day summit aims to explore the strategic role of raw materials in ensuring the resilience of Europe.
Essential minerals: Summit Details and Location
The event, officially titled ‘Entrepreneurs’ Forum: Why Do We Need Minerals?’, will take place from 09:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at the Sun Hall Hotel, located at 6 Athens Avenue. Organisers intend to shed light on the importance of minerals and how they underpin Europe’s economic future.
Organisers and Participants
This international forum is a collaborative effort involving key organisations such as Aggregates Europe, Eurogypsum, Euromines, the Greek Mining Enterprises Association, and the Cyprus Quarries Association. Their collective aim is to highlight the critical nature of raw materials for industries across the continent.
Opening Addresses and Presentations
The summit will commence with a welcome address from Maria Panayiotou, the Minister of Agriculture, Rural Development, and Environment. This will set the stage for a series of technical sessions designed to delve into the topic of minerals and their relevance in modern society.
Among the initial presentations, Antonis Antoniou Latouros, the president of Aggregates Europe, will share insights on how minerals are foundational to contemporary life. Alison Saxby, an expert in industrial and critical minerals from Project Blue, will also contribute her expertise during this session. Additionally, Dionysios Gkoutis, the general manager of the Hellenic Survey of Geology and Mineral Exploration and Energy, will provide insights from Greece’s perspective.
European Perspectives on Raw Materials
Following these presentations, Maive Rute, the deputy director general of the European Commission Directorate-General for Internal Market, Industry, Entrepreneurship and SMEs, will present an overarching European perspective on the significance of raw materials. This session will be particularly crucial for understanding the collective strategies being employed across Europe.
After Rute’s address, Costas Costantinou, the permanent secretary of the Directorate General for the Environment, is expected to outline the Cypriot perspective on these vital resources. This session will emphasise the local context within the broader European framework.
Interactive Panel Discussions
After a mid-morning coffee break, the forum will transition into an interactive panel discussion, moderated by Dirk Fincke and Tristan Suffys. This segment invites participants to engage directly with experts on how to manage raw materials effectively and mitigate potential supply risks.
The panel will feature prominent figures such as Nektarios Michail, chief economist at the Bank of Cyprus; Bernd Schäfer, CEO and managing director of EIT Raw Materials; and Boris Erg, director of the International Union for Conservation of Nature’s European regional office. Their diverse expertise will provide valuable insights into the challenges and opportunities facing the minerals sector.
Closing Insights and Future Directions
The summit will culminate in a final session moderated by Rolf Kuby, focusing on the future of European resilience in relation to raw materials. This closing panel will include reflections from leaders in the industry, such as Mark Rachovides, president emeritus of Euromines, and Christoph Dorn, vice-president of Eurogypsum and member of the Knauf Region Central Europe group management committee.
Kostas Yazitzoglou, president of the Greek Mining Enterprises Association, will provide concluding remarks, summarising the key discussions and strategic considerations raised during the forum. This will help attendees comprehend the collective path forward regarding raw materials in Europe.
Registration Information
Individuals interested in attending this pivotal forum can secure their places online. Registration is available through the official Eventbrite link provided by the organising industrial partners. Given the importance of the topics being discussed, early registration is encouraged to ensure participation.
