THE UNDERCOVER PROJECT HAS KICKED OFF IN NORTHERN FINLAND!
We are excited to meet in person for the start of the UNDERCOVER project! Over the next two days, we will lay the foundations for the promising three-year research journey ahead, setting clear goals for a smooth remote collaboration. Funded by #HorizonEurope, our project investigates the potential of cutting-edge, non-invasive technologies to revolutionize #DeepEarthExploration.In a world where minerals are more sought after than ever, but are increasingly scarce at shallow depths and easily accessible, our project’s research is key to unlocking untapped natural resources at greater depths, while minimizing the environmental impact of exploration. With the results of our research, we aim to promote #ResponsibleExploration practices and strengthen Europe’s strategic autonomy in the supply of minerals. This initiative brings together 16 research, industry and exploration companies under the coordination of the Geological Survey of Finland (GTK) / Geologian tutkimuskeskus (GTK).
ACPMR PROMOTED “MINERALS ARE LIFE” INITIATIVE WITH 180 STUDENTS FROM FARO
On January 5 and 6, ACPMR organized the educational activity “A Mala de Aplicações Minerais” with 180 5th, 6th and 7th grade students from the Escola Básica Poeta Emiliano da Costa, in Estói (Faro). From the north to the south of the country, ACPMR visits schools to hold educational sessions as part of the “Minerals are life” awareness campaign, where samples are made available and students learn what the products they use every day are made of! During the session, students are made aware of the need for sustainable exploitation and use of mineral resources, and each session ends with an educational game in which the winning teams receive prizes. This game is funded by the European Union.
ROADSHOW 2025: HOW TO UNLOCK THE POTENTIAL OF THE REGIONAL EXTRACTIVE INDUSTRY
On January 30, CCDR-A and ACPMR brought together a group of companies and stakeholders to participate in the “Roadshow 2025: How to unlock the potential of the regional extractive industry”, and discuss new approaches related to the digitalization, automation and decarbonization of the regional industry, within the scope of the INTERREG European Mining Regions Innovation Ecosystems supporting the Circularity and Resource Eciency (EMRIE) Project, at the CCDR-A headquarters in Évora. The CCDR-A began the opening of the session, followed by words from the companies Almina and Geosense, who presented good practices, ending with the discussion of the themes “Unlocking Regional Potential: Digitalization and Sustainability in the Extractive Industry” and “Innovation and Sustainability: Paths to Digitalization and Decarbonization in the Regional Industry”. Led by CCDR-A, the project addresses the issue of responsible resource management, which is aligned with the circular economy and resource-efficient economy. By improving resource use, promoting circular economy principles and developing efficient land use plans and policies, regions can reduce dependence on imports, strengthening economic resilience and stability. Furthermore, optimizing planning and transforming mining waste into valuable resources contributes to environmental sustainability and mitigates the negative impacts of mining. EMRIE will strengthen regional policy instruments through its collaborative efforts to advance the transition to a greener economy.The Consortium is composed of entities from Portugal, Spain, Finland, Poland, Sweden, Ukraine and Greece. Follow the project’s news and participate in the Roadshows, dedicated to different themes.
ACPMR HIGHLIGHTS THE MINERAL PLATFORM AT THE XX NATIONAL MEETING OF THE COLLEGE OF GEOLOGICAL AND MINING ENGINEERING IN VISEU
On January 24, Luís Martins, Chairman of the Board of Directors of ACPMR, highlighted the Geological Resources Communication Platform – MINERAL, addressing the impact of resources in the modern world, under the theme “Mineral Platform, Communicate or (not) Communicate, That’s the Question”. The 20th National Meeting of the College of Geological and Mining Engineering: Communication in Geological Resources, with the support of the National Board of the Order of Engineers, began today, January 24, and runs until January 26, in the city of Viseu. This National Meeting is providing its members with the opportunity to reflect on matters of professional interest, in an atmosphere conducive to peer interaction.
ACPMR PROMOTED “MINERALS ARE LIFE” INITIATIVE IN GUIMARÃES
On January 23, ACPMR organized the educational activity “A Mala de Aplicações Minerais” with 80 7th graders from Agrupamento de Escolas de Pevidém, in Pevidém (Guimarães). From the north to the south of the country, ACPMR visits schools to hold educational sessions as part of the “Minerals are life” awareness campaign, where samples are made available and students learn what the products they use every day are made of! During the session, students are made aware of the need for sustainable exploitation and use of mineral resources, and each session ends with an educational game in which the winning teams receive prizes. This game is funded by the European Union.
STEP OPEN DAYS EVENT
As part of the STEP Platform, the Mineral Resources Cluster, represented by Marta Peres, took part on January 20 in the event organized by CCDR Alentejo and DGEG – Directorate-General for Energy and Geology, on the panel 2- Clean and Efficient Technologies for a Sustainable Future. Marta Peres, Executive Director of the Mineral Resources Cluster, addressed the diversification of strategies for a safe and sustainable future for critical raw materials and highlighted the importance of the European Critical Raw Materials Act for these strategies. She also pointed out that, in Portugal, the Mineral Resources Sector is incorporating green and clean technologies and the various national and European projects have shown efficiency results.
ALMODÔVAR SCHOOL TOOK PART IN THE “MINERALS ARE LIFE” AWARENESS CAMPAIGN
On January 15, ACPMR organized the educational activity “A Mala de Aplicações Minerais” with 40 5th, 7th and 12th grade students from the Almodôvar School Group, in Almodôvar (Beja). From the north to the south of the country, ACPMR visits schools to hold educational sessions as part of the “Minerals are life” awareness campaign, where samples are made available and students learn what the products they use every day are made of! During the session, students are made aware of the need for sustainable exploitation and use of mineral resources, and each session ends with an educational game in which the winning teams receive prizes. This game is funded by the European Union.
STUDENTS IN CRATO ARE SENSITIZED TO THE NEED FOR SUSTAINABLE EXPLORATION AND USE OF MINERAL RESOURCES
On December 11, ACPMR organized the educational activity “A Mala de Aplicações Minerais” with 50 5th and 7th grade students from the EBI JI Ana Maria Ferreira Gordo, in Crato. From the north to the south of the country, ACPMR visits schools to hold educational sessions as part of the “Minerals are life” awareness campaign, where samples are made available and students learn what the products they use every day are made of! During the session, students are made aware of the need for sustainable exploitation and use of mineral resources, and each session ends with an educational game in which the winning teams receive prizes. This game is funded by the European Union and is part of the Awareness, Communication and Education initiatives carried out by EIT Raw Materials, represented in Portugal by the Department of Earth Sciences at Universidade Nova de Lisboa and Prof. Sofia Barbosa.
ACPMR PARTICIPATES IN RISE PROJECT WORKSHOP AND PITCH SESSION DURING RAW MATERIALS WEEK IN BRUSSELS
The Mineral Resources Cluster was present as a member of the RISE project consortium at the Workshop and Pitch Session held as a satellite event of Raw Materials Week in Brussels, on December 11 at the Hotel Mariaux. The sessions focused on battery recycling and sustainable mobility. The RISE I3 project aims to accelerate the implementation of innovations and foster cooperation in regions facing economic challenges. RISE’s role is to boost access to strategic investment projects, involving key sectors such as mineral resources, forest biomass and sustainable buildings.
ACPMR AT RAW MATERIALS WEEK IN BRUSSELS
The Mineral Resources Cluster took part in RAW MATERIALS WEEK, organized by the European Commission from 9 to 12 December in Brussels. Today, the theme was dedicated to the importance of the mining industry for the Regions. Portugal was represented by the Secretary of State for Energy, Maria João Pereira, who stressed the importance of the Raw Materials Act and announced that Portugal has already defined 19 measures for its implementation. She stressed that the mining industry should not be seen as a threat, but as an opportunity for Europe’s competitiveness. On the importance of the Regions, António Veiga Simão – CCDR Centro, presented the region’s main challenges and what is being implemented. Rosa Onofre, representing CCDR Alentejo, addressed the importance of land use planning and sustainable management that makes the mining industry compatible with other activities.