Critical Minerals Innovation Forum

13th - 14th October 2026

London, UK

From extraction to efficiency: How mine design, resource recovery and circular practice are changing the upstream picture

Plenary
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Mining has long operated on a linear model. Extract, process, move on. But as brands are set ever more ambitious targets, the upstream sector is increasingly being asked what role it plays in closing the loop. From mine design that builds in rehabilitation from day one, to resource recovery that finds value in what was previously left behind, circular principles are beginning to reshape how miners think about efficiency, waste and long-term value creation.

This part examines what that shift looks like in practice:

  • How circular design principles are being integrated into mine planning from the outset
  • Resource efficiency and recovery: where the commercial case is strongest
  • The role of downstream buyers and investors in driving upstream circular practice
  • What genuine progress looks like beyond the headline commitments
Plenary

What to expect from this type of session...

Main stage sessions, but not as you know them. Because we’re off-the-record, leading experts can speak candidly about their experience with what works, and what doesn’t. At least half the session is dedicated to audience insights and questions to ensure we tackle the big issues head on.

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Day 1

Tuesday 13th October 2026

Time
Session title
Session theme
Session type
9:20am - 10:00am
Plenary
10:00am - 10:30am
Security of supply and operational reality: How to manage geopolitics and concentration risk 
UK Department for Business & Trade | Anglo American | Critical Minerals Association
Plenary
10:30am - 11:00am
11:45am - 12:30pm
Plenary
12:30pm - 1:30pm
1:30pm - 2:15pm
2:15pm - 3:00pm
3:00pm - 3:30pm
3:30pm - 4:15pm
4:15pm - 5:00pm
5:00pm - 6:00pm
Day 2

Wednesday 14th October 2026

Time
Session title
Session theme
Session type
9:00am - 10:00am
10:00am - 10:30am
10:30am - 11:15am
Plenary
11:15am - 12:00pm
Plenary
12:00pm - 1:00pm
1:00pm - 2:30pm