Move beyond the promise of traceability to interrogate what responsible sourcing frameworks can realistically deliver. Examine where engagement with artisanal mining falls short, how audit demands are outpacing capacity, and what data is genuinely decision-useful. Ensure that due diligence efforts translate into real impact rather than compliance theatre.
About
We convene professionals working across the critical minerals value chain who are ready to move beyond surface-level sustainability commitments and short-term supply fixes. Over two days, we’ll critically examine how supply security, value chain accountability and responsible sourcing translate into operational resilience and competitive advantage.
Expect off-the-record, interactive, and focused sessions where your expertise drives the conversation, tackling what’s working, what’s failing, and what comes next for critical minerals in a high-stakes transition.
This year's themes
Responsible sourcing
Value chain accountability
Tackle the accountability gaps that persist from mine to manufacturer. Explore how producers, midstream operators, buyers, and financiers can share risk and drive change across the full value chain. From digital battery passports and procurement under CSDDD to the partnerships that make upstream standards stick in practice.
Sustainability beyond carbon
Examine how nature, water, and social license are moving from peripheral concerns to core business risk. Learn how leading companies are integrating biodiversity loss, water stress, and community impact into their strategies. Explore where tailings recovery, waste innovation, and evolving reporting frameworks are creating both obligation and opportunity.
Supply security
Explore the pressures reshaping mineral supply chains at a moment of acute strategic uncertainty. Understand how concentration risk, project financing gaps, and a slow pipeline of new supply are forcing producers, buyers, and investors to rethink resilience. Examine what it actually takes to move projects from commitment to production.
What sets this event apart
Full value chain
From miners and traders to manufacturers, financiers and the brands putting critical minerals into their products. No siloed conversations. Just the right people in the right room.
Off the record
Held under the Chatham House rule to promote candid conversation that drives real progress. The hard questions, uncomfortable truths and reality of mistakes. This isn’t a PR platform. It is a space for genuine dialogue.
No PowerPoint or scripts
No presentations, no jargon, no scripted panels. All sessions are structured for dynamic discussion and audience participation.
Practical, hands-on format
You won’t be sat in a large room listening for two days. There’s a major focus on audience participation, interaction and problem solving. Come prepared with questions, ideas, solutions and be ready to get involved.
Event format
Audience led
Every session is driven by the challenges, questions and opinions in the audience. This structure ensures a focus on real world problem solving and the realities on the ground.
Interactive roundtables
Small group discussions that take a deep dive into very focused topics. Each table is led by a facilitator to keep the conversation on track, while participants share ideas, experiences, challenges and solutions.
Inspirational keynotes
Hear from leading experts and businesses. We’re all working towards the same goals. This is a chance to take stock and to take inspiration, ideas and energy for the year ahead.
Practical case studies
Real world case studies where speakers are encouraged to share the good, the bad and the ugly. An opportunity to learn from your peers what works, and what doesn’t.
Advisory board
Kanishk Negi
Schneider Electric
Director of Sustainable Procurement
Jan Klawitter
Anglo American
VP Government & International Relations EU
Anna Dziuba Bergfors
Volvo Construction Equipment
Head of Social Sustainability & Reporting
Sophie Lu
HSBC
Global Head of Heavy Industry Decarbonisation
Angela Jorns
Fairphone
Head of Impact Innovation and Fair Materials Lead
Christoph Klein
BASF
Manager - Responsible Sourcing of Battery Minerals - Due Diligence
Charlotte Brierley
Sky
Human Rights Lead
Community partners
Highlight video
""The Critical Minerals Innovation Forum was a truly inspiring event connecting the entire critical mineral value chain, from mining and refining to automotive, electronics, and renewables. The event was also a fantastic networking opportunity — I connected with over 20 representatives from across the value chain.""
Director of Business and Biodiversity Impact
Wildlife Conservation Society
""I found the event very interesting, both with regard to the knowledgeable speaker and other attendants, but also regarding the concept (relatively small scale but very relevant and without long introductions and "standard" PowerPoint presentations). I've added IF to my list of organisations to follow.""
Chief Sustainability Officer and Head of Health, Safety, Environment and Quality
Connect Bus
Who attends
The forum brings together cross-functional leadership from across the critical minerals value chain, including miners, refiners, manufacturers, and consumer-facing brands. Discussions are designed for decision-makers, providing diverse perspectives from across the full chain, from sourcing professionals and investors to policy makers and sustainability leads.
Join the conversation
13th - 14th October 2026
London, UK
Contact
For any questions on this event, please contact:
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