WELCOME WORD

We wish to welcome you to the 23rd International Mineralogical Association General Meeting in Lyon, France, where we will paint mineralogy with the colours of space exploration. Alongside the more traditional mineralogy, we want to inspire the new generation and make a step closer toward the final frontier.

 

In 2022, we honour the bicentennial of the death of the most famous French mineralogist René Just Haüy. The French Society for Mineralogy and Crystallography wishes to associate the International Mineralogical Association in this celebration by hosting the 23rd IMA General Meeting in France. The French Association of Micromineralogy (AFM), which is the major discoverer of new minerals in France, joins us in this effort to offer a memorable happening.

In 2022, Mars 2020 (the rover Perseverance) will be on Mars for more than a year, it will just have had enough time for science return and post-processing. The ongoing missions will also have had time to reveal mineralogical secrets of small bodies (e.g. Hayabusa) or outer solar system bodies (i.e. New Horizon). This will be a ripe year for assessing the advances that mineralogy has made as science in planetary exploration.

 

The International Mineralogical Association declared 2022 the Year of Mineralogy. Mineralogy 2022 is a global initiative to highlight the importance of mineralogy in our everyday lives. Mineralogy 2022 will consist of coordinated activities of the regional, national, and international levels. These activities will emphasise the importance of mineralogy as basic fundamental science. Mineralogy 2022 will take place under the patronage of the International Year of Basic Science for Sustainable Development, which has been approved by UNESCO.

 

At the IMA 2022 general meeting in Lyon, keynote and invited speakers working at the cutting edge of mineral sciences will ensure a stimulating program when mineralogy renews with exploration beyond the Earth frontiers. A multitude of scientific sessions will gather hundreds of contributions along with several overarching themes: Mineral systematics, Physics and Chemistry of Minerals, Ores and Ore Mineralogy, Planetary Mineralogy, Planetary Interiors, The Dynamical World of Minerals. We will pay special attention to attract young researchers, underrepresented communities, and researchers from developing countries, by offering them attractive conditions for attendance, travelling and lodging. Fieldtrips will cover an important part of the surrounding geology of Western Europe.

Lyon is well known for the historical and architectural landmarks that earned it the "UNESCO World Heritage Site" prize. The city was recognized as an important area for the production and weaving of silk during the industrial revolution. It is also the city where Auguste and Louis Lumière invented the cinematograph. Today Lyon is a major centre for the chemical, pharmaceutical and biotech industries. And let’s not forget its reputation as the capital of gastronomy in France! In heart of Europe, the city can be very easily reached from all over the world and the Lyon Convention Centre is ideally situated, close to the historical centre by public transportation.
 

We are looking forward to warmly welcoming you to Lyon!

 

Razvan Caracas – President of the IMA2022
Herve Cardon – Executive director
Cathy Quantin-Nataf – Vice-President