Dr. René Booysen researches the exploration of mineral deposits. At the Helmholtz Institute Freiberg for Resource Technology (HIF), belonging to the Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf (HZDR), she develops sensor-based exploration techniques to identify resources in a non-invasive way. Each year, the UNESCO and the Fondation L'Oréal honor femal researchers who have contributed to o­vercoming today´s global challenges. Booysen's exploration research addresses one of these challenges. For the scientific excellence of her work, the South African researcher receives the award within the regional program South Africa National Young Talents Programme.

Anna Vanderbruggen receives the EIT CHANGE Award for her revolutionary graphite extraction method which could decrease the environmental footprint of battery production
Each year, the European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT) celebrates the entrepreneurial and societal achievements of its innovators. They are honored with the EIT Awards in four categories: CHANGE, Innovators, Venture and Women Leadership. Anna Vanderbruggen received the CHANGE Award for her innovative method on graphite recycling from used lithium-ion batteries. That´s also the topic of her PhD thesis she is working on at the Helmholtz Institute Freiberg for Resource Technology (HIF), an institute of the Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf (HZDR).

Since 2015, the European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT) has established a so-called Knowledge and Innovation Community (KIC) for the raw materials sector - the EIT RawMaterial­s. After seven years, the results have now been rotationally assessed and positively evaluated. The EIT RawMaterial­s has developed into an important player in the raw materials sector in Europe and now networks more than 300 European institutions from the resources sector. In addition to the establishment of six Innovation Hubs, the European Raw Material­s Alliance ERMA was founded and six master's degree programs with EIT label degrees were developed. O­ver the next seven years, the KIC will focus on securing raw material supplies, closing material loops and developing material solutions that enable the transition to a carbon-neutral Europe.

The Geoanalysis 2022 conference took place in Freiberg from 6th to 12th August, organized by the Helmholtz-Institute Freiberg for Resource Technology (HIF), TU Bergakademie Freiberg (TUBAF) and Eurofins Umwelt Ost GmbH Freiberg. Around 130 participants, speakers, pos­ter presenters and exhibitors from from all continents were hosted by the beautiful facilities of the Schloßplatzquar­tier­ of the TUBAF. Inviting organization was the International Association of Geoanalysts (IAG).

Industrial processes are inevitably associated with the generation of fine-grained residues. These rarely find re-entry into the industrial value chain. Typically, they are disposed of and represent a potential environmental risk. In the FINEST project, coordinated by the Helmholtz Institute Freiberg for Resource Technology (HIF) at the Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf (HZDR), various fine-grained material streams of anthropogenic origin are being recorded and investigated. The investigations aim to develop novel concepts for their processing in order to keep them in the cycle and to safely dispose of remaining residual materials. Within the framework of the Sustainability Challenge of the Helmholtz Association, the consortium consisting of the HZDR, the Helmholtz-Zentrum Berlin (HZB), the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT), the Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research (UFZ), the TU Bergakademie Freiberg (TUBAF) and the Uni­versity of Greifswald was able to prevail against numerous competitors and will receive 5 million euros in funding.

European project VECTOR with the focus on evidence-based and accessible knowledge that integrates scientific and social pathways to improve mineral exploration and mining