WCEF2025 Accelerator Session: Maximising the mining sector’s contribution to the energy transition

By transforming waste into valuable resources, circularity maximises mining’s contribution to a nature-positive, net-zero future. Rethinking waste streams through this lens presents a powerful opportunity to meet the energy transition’s demand more sustainably. Beyond reducing environmental impact, innovation in circularity drives new economic opportunities, supporting local economies and communities.

What are the best practices and requisites to foster circularity across metals and minerals value chains? This panel discussion and networking event will bring together stakeholders from across metals and minerals value chains (including end consumers) to discuss how these key materials can be produced and reused to meet the needs of the energy transition, in a sustainable manner. Specialists from civil society, the private sector and government representatives will lead an open discussion on how to drive the Mine of the Future with lower environmental impact and a reduced carbon footprint.

ICMM will be participating in this year’s World Circular Economy Forum (WCEF) in São Paulo, Brazil, which presents the world’s leading circular economy solutions with business leaders, policymakers and experts participating from around the world.

On 15 May (15:00 – 18:00 local time) at the WCEF, ICMM, IBRAM, CEBRI, Vale, Circle Economy, Ministry for Foreign Affairs of Finland and Mining Finland will join global leaders to explore how mining and metals can accelerate the energy transition while protecting nature and the climate.

On an accelerator session titled “Maximising the contribution of mining sector to energy transition”, experts from across the metals value chain—including mining, automotive, and renewables—will discuss how circular solutions can transform materials once considered waste into valuable resources.

By embedding circularity in mining processes and products, we can support a net-zero future while creating new economic opportunities for global communities.