Raw Materials Research –Understanding Resources inthe Earth System
Raw materials form the foundation of modern societies. They are indispensable for infrastructure, energy supply, mobility, digitalization, and numerous industrial value chains. At the same time, their availability, sustainable extraction, and efficient use are increasingly in the focus of science, industry, and politics. Against this background, geoscientific raw material research plays a key role. These developments are also reflected at the European level. With the Critical Raw Materials Act (CRMA), the European Union has created a strategic framework to ensure the long-term supply of critical raw materials, strengthen European raw material expertise, and specifically promote research and innovation along the entire value chain.
The Working Group on Raw Materials Research of the German Mineralogical Society (DMG) provides a forum for scientific exchange across all areas of ore deposit and mineral resources research. It brings together researchers from universities, non-university research institutions, geological surveys, public authorities, and industry, as well as students and early-career scientists. The Working Group aims to foster interdisciplinary exchange, initiate new collaborations, and increase the visibility of current developments in mineral resources research.
A central element of the Working Group’s activities is the organisation of the Geology of Ore Deposits (GOOD) Meeting. The GOOD Meeting has become an established platform for scientific exchange within the German-speaking ore deposit and mineral resources research community. It provides early-career scientists in particular with an opportunity to present current research and discuss their work with colleagues from different disciplines. The programme is shaped by contributions from the community, and suggestions for conference topics, sessions, field trips, and workshops are always welcome, as is active involvement in organising future GOOD Meetings.
In addition, the Working Group organises and supports scientific sessions at national and international conferences, as well as field trips, workshops, and other scientific events. It is an open community for everyone interested in mineral resources and ore deposit research. New members and interested researchers are always welcome to contribute their ideas, expertise, and research to the network.
