On 3 June 2026, representatives of the HEPHAESTUS project travelled to Helsinki, Finland, to take part in the event “To Mine or Not To Mine Critical Minerals in Europe? From Societal Concerns to Shared Solutions?”. Co-organised by HEPHAESTUS and several European projects and organisations, the event brought together researchers, industry, policymakers, NGOs, trade unions and community representatives for an open discussion on one of Europe’s biggest transition challenges.

The question at the centre of the debate was simple, but not easy to answer: how can Europe secure the raw materials needed for the green transition while maintaining public trust and ensuring benefits for local communities?

HEPHAESTUS was represented by Dimitris Sparis from the National Technical University of Athens (NTUA) and Stelios Tabouris from LARCO. Throughout the event, they presented the HEPHAESTUS poster and exchanged ideas with participants from across the critical raw materials and mining sectors.

For HEPHAESTUS, these discussions are highly relevant. Europe wants to produce more low-carbon steel, reduce strategic dependencies, and strengthen its industrial base. However, none of this is possible without reliable access to raw materials. At the same time, recent years have shown that technical solutions alone are not enough. New mining projects increasingly need to demonstrate not only environmental performance, but also social legitimacy.

A recurring theme during the event was that the debate should move beyond a simple "for or against mining" narrative. Most participants agreed that Europe will need at least some domestic production of critical raw materials, alongside stronger recycling and circular economy solutions. The real question is under which conditions these projects are developed, who benefits from them, and how local communities are involved in decision-making.

Speakers shared experiences from Europe and beyond, highlighting both successful and problematic examples of resource development. Discussions touched on responsible mining standards, community engagement, worker perspectives, geopolitics, and the growing competition for critical raw materials from sectors such as clean energy, digital technologies and defence.

One message came through particularly clearly: trust has become one of the most important resources in the energy transition. Building that trust requires transparency, accountability and meaningful dialogue between industry, policymakers and society.

For HEPHAESTUS, this message resonates strongly. The project is developing innovative solutions to reduce emissions from steel production and support Europe's transition towards a more sustainable steel industry. But the future of green steel depends not only on technological innovation. It also depends on the broader value chains behind it, including the responsible sourcing of raw materials and constructive engagement with the people affected by industrial development.

The Helsinki event provided an excellent opportunity to discuss these challenges openly and to connect the technical ambitions of projects such as HEPHAESTUS with the wider societal questions surrounding Europe's green transition.