The CRM-Geothermal Final Conference is taking place in person on 25 February 2026, from 13:00 to 17:00 CET in Offenburg, Germany, organised in cooperation with GeoTHERM 2026: https://www.geotherm-offenburg.de/en
Participation is free and does not require a GeoTHERM event badge.
The conference is scheduled one day before GeoTHERM (26–27 February 2026) and concludes in time for participants to join the traditional GeoTHERM Ice-Breaker at 18:30 on 25 February 2026. Please note that participation in the Ice-Breaker is not included with registration for the CRM-Geothermal Final Conference.
This final project conference will showcase the main findings of the EU-funded CRM-geothermal project, with presentations by consortium partners and invited experts.
AGENDA
| 13:00-13:05 | CRM Geothermal – Critical raw materials in geothermal fluids | Simona Regenspurg (GFZ) |
Session 1: Content, origin, and mobility of Critical Raw Materials (CRM) in geothermal fluids across different geological settings |
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13:05-13:20 |
Geothermal fluids in fractured crystalline formations in Cornwall and their suitability for sustained CRM production. (tbc) |
Christopher Rochelle (British Geological Service, BGS) |
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13:20-13:35 |
CRM-geothermal Data Publication & Fluid Atlas |
Éva Hartai, Anna Seres, Martin Szabó, Tamás Madarász, (University of Miskolc), János Szanyi (University of Szeged) |
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13:35-13:50 |
AI-Enhanced Assessment of Lithium Potential in Geothermal Reservoirs Using Explainable Decision Tree Models |
Konstantinos Loupos (INLECOM Innovation) |
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13:50-14:05 |
Origin of Critical Raw Minerals (CRM) In A Metamorphosed Flysch and Volcanic System of the Geothermal Area in Western Anatolia, Türkiye |
Alper Baba, Tolga Ayzit (Izmir Institute of Technology), et al. |
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14:05-14:20 |
Assessment of co-production of Geothermal Energy and Critical Raw Materials in the East African Rift |
Franziska Wilke (GFZ), Kondwani Gondwe (Mzuzu University), Anna Jentsch (GFZ), Eugene Karangwa (University of Rwanda), Katrin Kieling (GFZ), Lukas Klose (Constructor University), Timmu Kreitsmann (Constructor University), Albano Mahecho (Tanzania Geothermal Development Company), Samuel Niedermann (GFZ), Leon Ntihabose (EWSA), Lydia Olaka (Technical University of Kenia), Simona Regenpurg (GFZ), Jessica Stammeier (GFZ), Bettina Strauch (GFZ), Martin Zimmer (GFZ) |
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14:20-14:35 |
Bacterial and fungal diversity in two geothermal wells showing sulphur-sulphide production in Cornwall (UK) |
Danae Bregnard (University of Neuchâtel), Maude Rochaix (University of Neuchâtel), Adam Matthews (Cornish Lithium); Allistair Salisbury (Cornish Lithium); Benoit Valley (University of Neuchâtel); Guillaume Cailleau (University of Neuchâtel), Mark Harris (Cornish Lithium); Pilar E. Junier (University of Neuchâtel); Saskia Bindschedler (University of Neuchâtel); Sean Cleveland (Cornish Lithium); Simona Regenspurg (GFZ); Zoe Carter (Cornish Lithium) |
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Coffee break |
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Session 2: Extraction methods for CRM from geothermal fluids |
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| 14:55-15:10 | Lithium extraction from saline geothermal fluids: is there an ideal sorbent? | Elisabeth Eiche (Karlsruhe Institute of Technology) |
| 15:10-15:30 | Recovery of Li from Geothermal Waters by Adsorption Using MnO2 Polymorphs as Sorbent Material | Jörg Zotzmann (GFZ), Mustafa M. Demir (Izmir Institute of Technology), Seyra Toprak (Izmir Institute of Technology) |
| 15:30-15:42 | Biosorption of lithium from geothermal waters with the help of bacteria | Florian H. H. Brill, Tilman Gehrke (Dr. Brill + Partner GmbH Institut für Hygiene und Mikrobiologie) |
| 15:43-15:55 | Low Molecular Weight Organic Acid Analysis for the Characterisation of a Biorecovery System to Recuperate Critical Raw Materials in Geothermal Systems | Guylian Laurent (University of Neuchâtel), Mike C. Rowley (University of Zurich), Guido L. B. Wiesenberg (University of Zurich), Pilar Junier (University of Neuchâtel), Saskia Bindschedler(University of Neuchâtel) |
| 15:55-16:10 | The Potential of Helium Production from Geothermal Fluids | Bettina Strauch (GFZ), Martin Zimmer (GFZ) |
| 16:10-16:25 | Extraction of lithium in fixed-bed columns and mini-plant: laboratory, modelling and experimental setup | Stefan Kranz (GFZ), Karen Silgado (GFZ) |
Session 3: Economic, social, and governance aspects of CRM co-production |
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| 16:25-16:45 | First steps towards supporting Lithium production from geothermal fluids (tbc) | Karen Wagner Weise, Xochitl Dominguez (Equinor) |
| 16:45-17:00 | Joint resource calculation according to the UNFC in the case of complex geothermal energy utilisation | Tamás Madarász (University of Miskolc), Christopher Rochelle (BGS), János Szanyi (University of Szeged), Vitor Correia (INTRAW), Eberhard Falck (INTRAW), Anna Seres (University of Miskolc). |
| 17:00-17:15 | Applying the UNFC classification to projects of combined extraction of heat and minerals | W. Eberhard Falck, Vitor Correia (INTRAW International Raw Materials Observatory) |
Closing remarks |
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ABOUT THE CRM-GEOTHERMAL PROJECT
The CRM-geothermal project applies a holistic approach to evaluating and extracting Critical Raw Materials (CRM) from geothermal fluids in Europe and East Africa. Its work bridges geoscience, technology, and sustainability to strengthen Europe’s raw materials independence.
Key project achievements include:
-1. Assessment of CRM potential: A comprehensive database and a Fluid Atlas were developed to visualise the distribution of critical raw materials in geothermal fluids.
-2. Understanding geological processes: The origin and mobilisation of CRMs were studied across diverse geological settings – such as crystalline fractured rocks and deep sedimentary basins with high-salinity fluids – to assess their occurrence and long-term extraction potential.
-3. Innovative extraction technologies: New methods were developed for extracting CRMs such as lithium, strontium, and helium from different types of geothermal fluids.
-4. Socio-economic and environmental assessment: The project evaluated economic, social, and environmental dimensions of CRM co-production.
-5. Demonstration of feasibility: The co-extraction of CRMs was successfully demonstrated at a pilot site in Cornwall (UK).
JOIN THE FINAL CONFERENCE
The registration for the conference is closed.
