About the Project

Welcome to project VECTOR! We are a European research project investigating social attitudes, environmental and technical challenges to mining in Europe, and dedicated to sharing our new understanding.

About the Project

100 Perceptions: Raw Materials
Every single one of us relies on raw materials. Through a live recorded experiment, we explored public perceptions of where we should source the minerals and metals that we need for the energy transition.
Watch Documentary

Who Decides?
“Who Decides?” is an online learning activity focusing on the complexities mining projects, utilising an online game style platform.
Play Game

Global Education Pathway
Resources for introducing, teaching and discussing contentious topics such as climate change and critical raw materials role in a responsible green transition.
Learn More

Social Vectors:

We will assess perceptions, values and attitudes towards the sourcing of critical raw materials for the green transition.
We will integrate our social and geoscience vectors to produce an easy-to-understand interface that allows all of our results to be accessed in one place, by anyone.

Geoscience Vectors:

We will use minimally disruptive technologies to investigate mineral deposits under the Earth’s subsurface.

Europe set out its goals for decarbonization in the EU Green Deal. Achieving these targets will require more responsible use of, and a sharp increase in, the supply of critical raw materials. To meet its demand in raw materials, the EU is currently reliant on imports and is therefore vulnerable to changes in the geopolitical landscape and supply chain interruptions. Complex social, environmental, and technical challenges need to be understood to explore the potential domestic sourcing of metals and minerals in the EU.

The VECTOR project seeks to explore these challenges by bringing geosciences and social sciences together. VECTOR seeks to develop human-centred solutions for a socially acceptable, responsible, and sustainable supply of critical raw materials in Europe and thus contribute to achieving the Green Deal.

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