October 03, 2025, Tirana
The (Nano/Micro) Materials Workshop is designed as a dynamic roundtable discussion that brings together stakeholders from geological surveys, mining companies, research institutions, and innovation networks to explore how nanotechnology and functional micro-materials can accelerate progress in the row material especially in the critical raw materials (CRM) sector. With a focus on exploration, processing, and recycling, the workshop aims to link applied science with operational realities in the Western Balkans.
Key discussion areas include:
- functional nanomaterials in mineral sensing and extraction
- circular recovery of CRMs from waste
The workshop also explores synergies between regional strategies and EU innovation instruments such as Horizon Europe, EIT RawMaterials boosting the role of start-ups and universities for spanning off the nano/micro raw materials in CE.
15 - 17 October 2025, Dubrovnik, Croatia
The DIM-ESEE 2025 Conference, on Development and Innovation in Mineral Resources , will take place from 15 to 17 October 2025 at the Interuniversity Centre in Dubrovnik, Croatia. Organized by the University of Zagreb – Faculty of Mining, Geology and Petroleum Engineering (UNIZG-RGNF), this conference marks the transformation of a successful series of DIM-ESEE workshops into a broader international platform. UNIZG-RGNF is a leading and innovative institution in the field of raw materials in the ESEE region, with over a decade of experience in the framework of the DIM-ESEE and DIM-ESEE 2 projects.
This first edition of the conference will focus on four main thematic areas:
- Exploration and discovery of mineral resources
- Extraction methods
- Geometallurgy and sustainable mining
- Materials recycling and waste management
DIM-ESEE 2025 welcomes researchers, industry professionals and policymakers to share experiences, present innovative ideas and develop interdisciplinary dialogue on the raw materials value chain. Participants will also have the opportunity to participate in an excursion along the Adriatic coast (13–14 October), as well as other accompanying activities aimed at strengthening networking and knowledge exchange.
It was held in Tirana on May 21-22, 2025.
The “Challenges and Perspectives of the Mining Sector in Albania and the Region in the Context of the Critical Raw Materials (CRM) Act” meeting is an important two-day event aimed at fostering meaningful dialogue among key stakeholders from Albania and the Western Balkans. Its primary focus is on shaping the future of the mining sector while addressing critical issues concerning Albania’s and the region’s mining potential in relation to integration into the European market. Organized by the Regional Innovation Center for Raw Materials, the event was held in collaboration with the Ministry of Infrastructure and Energy (MIE) and the Embassy of Poland in Tirana. This initiative seeks to gather representatives from various entities, including the National Agency of Natural Resources (AKBN), Albanian Geological Survey (SHGJSH), universities, researchers, agencies specializing in innovation, SMEs, startups, and industry leaders. Together, they aim to explore the mining sector’s challenges and opportunities in the context of the Critical Raw Materials (CRM) Act. Key areas of discussion include strategies for innovation and sustainability, opportunities for cross-border collaboration, the role of startups and small businesses in modernizing the sector, and pathways to ensure Albania’s and the region’s competitive positioning within the European market. This event reflects a concerted effort to align the mining sector with European standards and practices, while emphasizing the importance of critical raw materials in driving regional development and economic growth.