TS 9 – Knowledge, Skills and Raw Materials Flows
This document provides a report of Thematic Session 9 for the Operational Group meetings held on
Tuesday 11th November 2014 in support of the European Innovation Partnership for Raw Materials.
Approximately 25 delegates attended this thematic session meeting on Knowledge, Skills and Raw
Materials Flows, which was moderated by Mr Slavko Solar (DG ENTR) with Ms Claudia Wulz (DG ENTR).
The participants composed members of EIP Operational Groups 3 and 4 with relevant expertise and also
representatives of relevant Raw Materials Commitments (RMCs) and ad-hoc observers. The objectives of
the meeting were to promote synergies/cooperation and possible clustering of RMCs, to promote
cooperation with related EU initiatives, and to help enlarge the EIP community.
Presentations were given by the Commission and six RMCs (EUMINET, EUROASSET, SecPRIME, TAURUS,
WEEE 2020, ZWA). The project leader for one RMC was not present at the meeting (BRITE) and the
Commission presented this commitment on their behalf. Discussions focused on Action area II.8 EU Raw
Materials Knowledge Base and not the KIC on raw materials (Action area II.9), as the result of the KIC is
due in December. Key topics covered by the RMCs included: development of software tools for
modelling; collating information databases; analysis of material flows; development of methodologies for
impact assessments and accounts.
The following observations were made relating to possible clustering/synergies:
 There are sub-clusters within the group that are more closely connected, for example, commitments
with a focus on primary materials (EUMINET, EUROASSET, SecPRIME, TAURUS) and those with a
focus on secondary materials (BRITE, WEEE 2020, ZWA).
The following observations were made relating to possible enlargement of the EIP community:
 A number of gaps were identified in the qualitative aspects of the knowledge base, for example,
information on support for policy, regulation, health and safety, social license to operate, stakeholder
engagement, including engagement from large mining companies.
 A key gap identified was in the area of skills; however, it was acknowledge that this may be due in
part to the focus on Action area II.8 and not including II.9.
The meeting was concluded with a roundtable where members summed up their main conclusions and
comments. Further comments were added by the designated rapporteurs: Mr Elewaut and Dr Tercero
Espinoza. The following comments were noted:
 There is willingness for commitments to cooperate, but also apprehension about how this would
work in practice.
 There does not have to be clustering, and instead, communication between commitments on a
technical level may be easier to achieve.
 The commitments presented will be collating important data, which will contribute to the EU Raw
Materials Knowledge Base; however, there are still lots of gaps to be filled, particularly in the area of
skills.
At the end of the meeting, Ms Wulz thanked members for their active interest and contributions to the
session and reminded members to respond with their feedback and needs for the web community by
Friday 14th November.