On this page
Geopolitics and energy transition are changing the mining and minerals sector profoundly, and implications for security of supply are at the fore. We expect the circular economy to be the path forward, yet how realistic are plans for secondary resources? A changing world order and unpredictability also impact the pipe-line of future experts, so there is a need to also address mining education.
At Xplorer Conference 2024 we have an opportunity to discuss and address options and a way-forward for a mineral-centered way of living. Xplorer Conference is multidisciplinary, and topics will be discussed from varying perspectives across technology, business, and society. Expert presentations are by invitation, whereby poster sessions are available via an application.
Registration for Xplorer Conference 2024
Registration fees
€200 (+ VAT 24%)Full participant, June 11-12
€150 (+ VAT 24%) Students
€150 (+ VAT 24%) One day participation
The registration fee covers attendance to the sessions, coffees, lunches and the dinner cruise on Tuesday June 11. Registration can be confirmed by credit card (Visa, Master Card). The registration ends on May 28, 2024 at 4:00 PM (UTC+2) after which refunds will not be issued. When cancellation occurs before this date, 50% of the fee will be refunded. Cancellations should be made via email to xplorer@lut.fi.
Register by May 28, 2024.
Registration fees
€200 (+ VAT 24%)Full participant, June 11-12
€150 (+ VAT 24%) Students
€150 (+ VAT 24%) One day participation
The registration fee covers attendance to the sessions, coffees, lunches and the dinner cruise on Tuesday June 11. Registration can be confirmed by credit card (Visa, Master Card). The registration ends on May 28, 2024 at 4:00 PM (UTC+2) after which refunds will not be issued. When cancellation occurs before this date, 50% of the fee will be refunded. Cancellations should be made via email to xplorer@lut.fi.
Register by May 28, 2024.
Presentations
Abstracts for poster presentations must be submitted in English and be maximum of 300 words. Please submit your abstract to xplorer@lut.fi.
Deadline is June 2, 2024.
The poster session "Working towards Circular Economy" takes place on Wednesday June 12. It will start with a “pitching” session, during which presenters are allotted 3 minutes to pitch their work and topic.
Topics for posters include, but are not limited to:
• Minerals and Metals: Energy security & Security of Supply
• Circular Economy of (Mineral) Raw materials
• Sustainability Transition in Society
• Education in Mining and Metallurgy
Program at a glance
(Program may change)
DAY 1: Tuesday, June 11
Our conference room is located in the main building, Room 1316, on the 3rd floor.
Registration 9:00
Opening 10:00
Session 1: 10:15–14:15
Session 2: 14:45–16:45
Social program: Dinner cruise on Lake Saimaa 19:00–22:00
Session 1: How geopolitics is changing the mining sector?
For the energy transition to happen a huge number of metals and minerals are needed. Yet, geopolitics is profoundly changing supply chains. What does it mean for the mining and minerals sector especially in Europe which is highly dependent on import.
Keynote: Pekka Suomela, Executive Officer, Finnish Mining Association
Presentations on
Supply chain resilience - Recent research findings, Prof. Veli Matti Virolainen, LUT
Cyber security, TBA
Navigating the Effects of the Critical Raw Material Act, Toni Rönnberg, Regional Director, EIT Raw Materials, Baltic Sea & North
Exploring global perspectives:
Canada: Jeanette Stovel, Ambassador of Canada to Finland
Chile: TBA
Session 2: Environmental law, society and the sustainability transition
Sustainability transition raises many challenges for all sectors of life. What are the challenges from the perspective of law and society when talking about mining and minerals sector?
Keynote: Critical Raw Materials for the Sustainability Transformation: Promise and Pitfalls in the Context of Legal Systems, Prof. Seita Vesa, UEF
Presentations on
Socially sustainable sourcing of critical raw materials for the green transition: acceptance and the role of citizens' knowledge and awareness, Dr. Tuija Jartti, UEF
EU and Recycling of Critical Raw Materials: Stuck in Legal Limbo, Topi Turunen, Senior Research Scientist, Syke, Finnish Environment Institute
The green transition – a right way to safeguard our planetary future? Hanna Halmeenpää, Chairperson of the Board, The Finnish Association for Nature Conservation (SLL)
Evening programme
On Tuesday night, our conference will set sail on Lake Saimaa. Come aboard the M/S Camilla for a dinner cruise and experience the magic of the Nordic White Nights in the archipelago of the largest lake in Finland. Your conference fee includes a three-course meal and beverages. The three-hour cruise departs at 7 pm from the harbor of Lappeenranta city, conveniently located within walking distance from the hotels. We look forward to welcoming you onboard!
DAY 2: Wednesday, June 12
Session 3: 9:00–11:30
Session 4: 12:30–13:00 (posters)
Session 5: 13:00–15:45
Session 3: Circular economy – A reality check
Circular economy is essential to a sustainable transition, yet it still can’t resolve all of the supply challenges. How are we doing with minerals and metals?
Keynote: Circularity and the Implications of the New Critical Raw Materials Act, Assoc. Prof. David Peck, TU Delft
Presentations on
Towards Value Added Sustainable Mining, Docent Jutta Nuortila-Jokinen, LUT
Circularity in Policy Implementation, Dr. Laura Kainiemi, LUT
Opportunities of Increased Recovery - an SME perspective, Riina Salmimies, CEO, Sofi Filtration
Poster pitching
Session 4: Posters
Session 5: Educating the future change-makers in mining
Mining sector professionals are in the core of the sustainability transition. To secure sustainability transition we need mining professionals on all levels of the value chain. Where and how do we train the experts?
Keynote: Criticality aspects in education for the European raw materials value chain, Prof. Juan María Menéndez Aguado, University of Oviedo
Presentations from educational institutions and the industry:
Saija Luukkanen, Professor, Head of Oulu Mining School, University of Oulu
Salla Pyhäjärvi, Partnership Coordinator, RDI Specialist, Lapland University of Applied Science
Vilma Laitinen, Sustainability Expert, Nordkalk
Veli Pyhtilä, Lecturer, Educational Consortium OSAO Taivalkoski
Ritva Tuunila, Associate Professor, LUT University
Accomodation
Allotments for accommodation have been reserved for Conference participants from the hotels Lappee, Lähde and Rakuuna. The price is valid only when you make the reservation directly with the hotel. Please note that the full quantity of pre-booked rooms can only be guaranteed until the specific dates. Rooms are rented on a first come first served basis.
Sokos Hotelli Lappee
https://www.sokoshotels.fi/fi/lappeenranta/sokos-hotel-lappee
Single room €122 €/room/night
Double room €142/room/night
Conference prices are available until 3.6.2024
Note: The final cancellation date without charge for an individual reservation made from the quota is 7 days prior to the arrival date.
Prices include breakfast, gym and spa access (sauna and swimming pool)
Reservation code: BXPLORER24
Contact information:
Reservations at www.sokoshotels.fi by using code BXPLORER24
Or directly at the hotel, using code BXPLORER24
Tel. +358 10 7621000 OR e-mail lappee.lappeenranta@sokoshotels.fi
Hotel Lähde
Single room: €108/room/night and
Double room: €118/room/night.
Book a room by emailing info@hotellilahde.fi and include the code XPLORER24.
https://hotellilahde.fi/
Contact address:
Ainonkatu 17/12
53100 Lappeenranta
Tel. +358 44 766 5005
Hotel Rakuuna
Book a room directly from the hotel using the code "XPLORER".
Single room: €98/room/night
Double room: €108/room/night.
https://www.rakuunahotelli.fi/
Contact address:
Mannerheiminkatu 8
53900 Lappeenranta
Tel. +358 10 340 2040
Hotel Scandic Patria
https://www.scandichotels.fi/hotellit/suomi/lappeenranta/scandic-patria
Contact address:
Scandic Patria
Kauppakatu 21
53100 LAPPEENRANTA
Tel. +358 300308451
E-mail: patria@scandichotels.com
Venue
LUT University
Our conference venue is at the LUT campus in Lappeenranta. LUT University today is a hub of 7,500 students and staff members. Established in Lappeenranta some 50 years ago, LUT has become one of the world’s best universities, recognized for its work in international rankings. LUT has two campuses in two cities: one in Lappeenranta and one in Lahti, and two regional units in Mikkeli and Kouvola. Clean energy, water and air are life-giving resources for which we at LUT University seek new solutions with our expertise in technology, business and social sciences. We help society and businesses in their sustainable renewal.
Our conference room is located in the main building, Room 1316, on the 3rd floor.
Welcome to the green campus of LUT!
Lappeenranta
Lappeenranta (in Swedish Villmanstrand) is a lovely small city in South Karelia region by lake Saimaa, the biggest lake in Finland. Lappeenranta is a perfect place to combine work with holiday.
Find here, what the city has to offer https://www.visitlappeenranta.fi/fi
Travel
By Plane and train
Fly to Helsinki, then take a train to Lappeenranta
Use the VR (National Railway operator) on-line service to find schedules and buy tickets.
The distance between Helsinki and Lappeenranta is approximately 230 km (two hours by train). The Helsinki Airport is situated 19 km from the centre of Helsinki. Take the Commuter Train P from the airport and change trains at the Tikkurila railway station. It is a small station, and the change is easy to make. You don’t have to come all the way to Helsinki’s main railway station. But if you do, the change is easy to make there as well. When in Lappeenranta, take a taxi or a city bus from the station to the campus.
Note: There is a small airport in Lappeenranta mainly servicing charter flights. At the moment there are scheduled flights from/to Bergamo, Italy.
More information https://lppairport.fi/
By Ferry and car
Arrive by ferry in Helsinki from Estonia, Sweden and Germany
There is daily ferry services to Helsinki from Estonia, Sweden and Germany. All ferry companies allow you to pre-book and take a car with you. Ferry trips are popular in the summer, so book your trip early.
By Bus
Onnibussi company offers affordable bus fares to Lappeenranta in Finland.
By Car
There is a visitor parking next to our conference venue. Please find all visitor parking information on LUT website Campuses and directions
City bus in Lappeenranta
LUT Campus is located a few kilometers from downtown Lappeenranta and the railway station, and it is well connected by city bus (lines 1 and 5) https://lappeenranta.digitransit.fi/
Our partners
