Science Days 10.-11.6.2026
The event is targeted for specialists and other persons interested in the topic.
The themes of the Public Day are explored in more depth during the Science Days, where a holistic perspective on the mining industry is taken.
In presentations given by leading experts in the field, the mining industry is examined through the lenses of sustainability, new methods and processes, the environment, business, and people.
Background
Rapidly proceeding digitalization and automation change the way industry sectors operate. In ideal circumstances, new technological achievements can be utilized to develop a mining industry that does not produce any waste or cause a negative impact on the environment.
Top class international researchers and experts present latest advances in sustainable mining via eight thematic sessions of the conference.
Sessions cover biodiversity, arctic water, new technologies for green transition and energy, primary and secondary raw materials, minerals and metal value chains, CRM, legislation and circular economy business.
Thematic sessions
1. Redesign mining
2. Arctic waters and Biodiversity
3. Energy and new technologies of green transition
4. Circular economy, Primary and secondary raw materials
5. Digitalisation and business of recycling metals
6. Sustainability transition and CRM
7. Education in mining field - Sharing knowledge in minerals and metals
8. Wrap up: Essential policies and acts in the world
The main language of the event is English.
Registration closes 31.5.2026.
Please, see more detailed program below.
Sponsors:
Preliminary program
Time zone: EET
Wednesday 10.6.2026 |
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8.30–9.00 |
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Registration |
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9.00–9.10 |
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Opening words |
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Chairperson |
Sami Virolainen, LUT University |
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Session 1 |
Redesign mining |
Speaker |
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9.10–9.25 |
Speech 1.1 |
One shot to get it right - turning deposits into mineral product ecosystems |
Research Prof. Tommi Kauppila, |
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9.25–9.40 |
Speech 1.2 |
Mine-mill integration and resource efficiency |
Prof. Saija Luukkanen, Head of Oulu Mining School |
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9.40–9.55 |
Speech 1.3 |
"What, where, why and how" of space mining |
Dr. Kathryn Hadler, Director of ESRIC |
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9.55–10.10 |
Speech 1.4 |
Optimistic realism – Towards zero waste mining |
Sonja Lavikko, Researcher, |
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10.10–10.45 |
Coffee & networking |
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Chairperson |
Tatiana Samarina, KAMK University of Applied Sciences |
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Session 2 |
Arctic waters and biodiversity |
Speaker |
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10.45–11.00 |
Speech 2.1 |
Water management compensation as a tool to safeguard and improve |
Heikki Mykrä, Senior researcher, |
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11.00–11.15 |
Speech 2.2 |
The win-win-win inbedded in ecological compensation as an instrument |
Casper Herler, Partner, LL.D. |
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11.15–11.30 |
Speech 2.3 |
Digital Waters flagship |
Assoc. Prof. Pertti Ala-aho |
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11.30–11.45 |
Speech 2.4 |
How water and environmental knowledge steers mining EIA statements |
Tatu Lahtinen, Research Scientist, |
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11.45–12.00 |
Speech 2.5 |
Kuopio Water Cluster |
Eero Antikainen, Head of Research, |
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12.00–12.45 |
Lunch |
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Chairperson |
Jukka Joutsenvaara, Lapland University of Applied Sciences |
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Session 3 |
Energy and new technologies of green transition |
Speaker |
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12.45–13.00 |
Speech 3.1 |
Hydrogen / green energy related research in Lapland UAS |
Sirpa Kokko, Project manager, |
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13.00–13.15 |
Speech 3.2 |
Low-carbon graphite production as a strategic critical raw material in Europe |
Laura Rahikka, CEO, |
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13.15–13.30 |
Speech 3.3 |
Electrolysis-Based Hydrogen Production for Green Steel |
Assoc. Prof. Vesa Ruuskanen, |
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13.30–13.45 |
Speech 3.4 |
Hydrogen value chain |
Prof. Mika Ruusunen, |
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13.45–14.00 |
Speech 3.5 |
Integration of secondary material flows as a part of national battery value chain |
Prof. Ulla Lassi |
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14.00–14.30 |
Coffee & networking |
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Chairperson |
Miia John, LUT University |
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Session 4 |
Circular economy, primary and secondary raw materials |
Speaker |
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14.30–14.45 |
Speech 4.1 |
Sponsor speech: Turning industrial side streams into strategic raw materials |
Business Director Veli-Matti Marttala, |
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14.45–15.00 |
Speech 4.2 |
Ion exchange in battery metals recycling |
Assoc. Prof. Sami Virolainen, |
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15.00–15.15 |
Speech 4.3 |
Final piece of the puzzle: Redefining mining residues as secondary products |
Assoc. Prof. Priya Perushimal, |
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15.15–15.30 |
Speech 4.4 |
Maximizing recovery of water and minerals in mineral processing |
Riina Salmimies, CEO, |
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15.30–15.45 |
Speech 4.5 |
Sponsor speech: MINEARC project |
MINEARC project |
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15.45–16.00 |
Speech 4.6 |
Introduction to the mining in America (tbc.) |
Speaker tbc. |
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16.00–18.00 |
Networking |
Mocktails and matchmaking with globally operating mining partners |
In collaboration with BusinessOulu, |
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18.30–22.00 |
Nallikari |
Evening programme in Nallikari |
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Thursday 11.6.2026 |
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8.30–9.00 |
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Registration |
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9.00–9.10 |
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Opening words |
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Chairperson |
Riina Salmimies, Sofifiltration Ltd |
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Session 5 |
Digitalisation and business of recycling metals |
Speaker |
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9.10–9.25 |
Speech 5.1 |
Company speech |
Company speech tbc. |
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9.25–9.40 |
Speech 5.2 |
Innovative and efficient technologies for the minerals sector |
Mervi Kontturi, Key Account Manager, |
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9.40–9.55 |
Speech 5.3 |
EIT RawMaterials fostering innovation |
Toni Rönnberg, Baltic Sea and North Regional Director, |
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9.55–10.10 |
Speech 5.4 |
The Afterlife of Mines: Creating Value Beyond Extraction |
Jari Joutsenvaara, Development manager, |
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10.10–10.30 |
Coffee & networking |
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Chairperson |
Chairperson (tba) |
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Session 6 |
Sustainability transition and CRMA |
Speaker |
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10.30–11.00 |
Speech 6.1 |
CRMA targets - domestic mining, processsing and recycling, - fireside chat |
Dr. Peter Tom Jones |
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11.00–11.15 |
Speech 6.2 |
Overview of the Swedish Mining Innovation system |
Erik Hagerund, Business Developer |
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11.15–11.30 |
Speech 6.3 |
Sustainable circularity of minerals and metals: Potential and limitations |
Laura Kainiemi, Post-Doc Researcher, |
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11.30–11.45 |
Speech 6.4 |
"Urgence as challenge for battery industry and critical minerals governance" |
Prof. Rauno Sairinen, |
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11.45–12.00 |
Speech 6.5 |
Sponsor speech |
Place for a sponsor speech |
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12.00–13.00 |
Lunch |
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Chairperson |
Riina Salmimies, Sofifiltration Ltd. |
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Session 7 |
Education in mining field - knowledge sharing of minerals and metals |
Speaker |
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13.00–13.15 |
Speech 7.1 |
Miten lisätään perustietoisuutta mineraaleista ja metalleista? |
Olga Sydd, Researcher, |
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13.15–13.30 |
Speech 7.2 |
Sustainable Mining Education Alliance (Lapin AMK, Centria and KAMK) |
Harri Kosonen, Senior Lecturer |
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13.30–13.45 |
Speech 7.3 |
Mining related education at the University of Oulu |
Prof. Jukka Majava, Dean of Education, |
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13.45–14.00 |
Speech 7.4 |
Transdisciplinary learning in circular mining education |
Miia John, Researcher, |
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14.00–14.15 |
Speech 7.5 |
How to make mining more attractive for young professionals? |
Veera Viitanen, Research Assistant, |
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14.15–14.45 |
Coffee & networking |
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Chairperson |
Chairperson (tba) |
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Session 8 |
Wrap up: Essential policies and acts in the world |
Speaker |
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14.45–15.00 |
Speech 8.1 |
Mission of InLisa, Chile (tbc.) |
Dr. Hernán Cáceres, Director Ejecutivo, |
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15.00–15.15 |
Speech 8.2 |
Minerals strategy in Finland (tbc.) |
Jarkko Vesa, Senior Adviser, |
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15.15–15.30 |
Speech 8.3 |
Minerals strategy in Europe (tbc.) |
Daniel Cios, Policy Officer, |
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15.30–15.45 |
Speech 8.4 |
Chilean mining and the Nordics: challenges and opportunities |
Patrizio Sazo Arellano, CEO, |
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15.45–16.00 |
Speech 8.5 |
Sponsor speech |
Place for a sponsor speech |
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16.00 |
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Closing words |
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