SPM THEMATIC SEMINAR: THE IMPACT OF THE CIRCULARITY OF MATERIALS ON VALUE CHAINS
On December 4, ACPMR took part in the Thematic Seminar of the Portuguese Materials Society (SPM), in partnership with CTCV – Center for Technology and Innovation, at iParque in Coimbra. The seminar, dedicated to the circularity of materials and sustainable value chains, featured talks by experts and a visit to the CTCV’s Hypocarbon Laboratory. This seminar was an unmissable opportunity for professionals, researchers and students seeking to better understand the impact of the circular economy on modern industries and how the implementation of sustainable value chains can be a catalyst for innovation and competitiveness.
STUDENTS IN ÉVORA ARE MADE AWARE OF THE NEED FOR SUSTAINABLE EXPLORATION AND USE OF MINERAL RESOURCES
On November 25 and 26, ACPMR organized the educational activity “A Mala de Aplicações Minerais” with 56 10th graders from the Severim de Faria School in Évora. 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 HELD EDUCATIONAL SESSION ON MINERAL RESOURCES IN MATOSINHOS
On November 14 and 15, ACPMR went to Matosinhos to hold educational sessions with 140 7th graders from the Maria Manuela de Sá Basic School.From the north to the south of the country, ACPMR visits schools to hold educational sessions in which samples are made available and students learn what the products they use every day are made of! During the presentation, students are made aware of the need for sustainable exploitation and use of mineral resources.Each session ends with the game “The Mineral Applications Suitcase” 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.
SEMINAR ON CRITICAL MINERAL RESOURCES AND THE BATTERY VALUE CHAIN: OPPORTUNITIES AND CHALLENGES FOR PORTUGAL
A seminar was held promoted by Battery Cluster Portugal in partnership with ACPMR – Associação Cluster Portugal Mineral Resources. On stage, they discussed the importance of mineral resources in achieving the energy transition. The Secretary of State for Energy, Maria João Pereira, closed the opening session of the event.
CLUSTER ON TOUR 2024: FAUL
The Mineral Resources Cluster continues to visit its Members!These visits are aimed at getting to know each other, exchanging experiences and listening to members’ innovation needs. The ambition is to strengthen the ties of the innovation network in the Mineral Resources Cluster.On October 29, we visited FAUL – the Faculty of Architecture of the University of Lisbon, a member of the Mineral Resources Cluster since 2021. The mission of the Faculty of Architecture of the University of Lisbon (FAUL) is to ensure the creation, development and transmission of scientific, artistic and technical knowledge in the fields of architecture, urbanism and design. As a modern school that tries to combine tradition and innovation, FAUL is a benchmark institution in the professional training of architects, urban planners and designers, as well as in the production of socially recognized specialized and interdisciplinary research.
ACPMR MEETS WITH RISE PROJECT PARTNERS IN BULGARIA
The Associação Cluster Portugal Mineral Resources (ACPMR) took part in the RISE round table “Partnerships for Innovation Projects” on November 7, 2024, in Vratsa, Bulgaria.The event brought together leading experts and companies in the fields of bioeconomy, green energy, sustainable construction, circular economy, forest biomass and mineral resources. It was an excellent opportunity to learn more about the RISE project and how it supports SMEs. Look for new opportunities, broaden collaboration and establish a basis for international projects.
80 STUDENTS FROM CASTELO BRANCO WERE SENSITIZED BY THE “MINERALS ARE LIFE!” INITIATIVE
As part of the nationwide “Minerals Are Life!” awareness campaign, the Portugal Mineral Resources Cluster Association (ACPMR) held another initiative on October 24 at the Alcains Primary and Secondary School in Castelo Branco, with around 80 7th graders. The students learned what the products they use every day are made of, how mineral resources are obtained, and were made aware of the need for rational and sustainable exploitation and use of mineral resources.Each session ends with a championship between teams, based on the educational game “The Bag of Mineral Applications”. The winning teams receive prizes. The educational game “A Mala de Aplicações Minerais”, funded by the European Union, is part of the Awareness, Communication and Education initiatives carried out by EIT Raw Materials, in Portugal represented by the Department of Earth Sciences at Universidade Nova de Lisboa and Prof. Sofia Barbosa. Your school, child or friend can be part of this initiative!
ACPMR AT THE EU-SINGAPORE MATCHMAKING EVENT
The ACPMR took part in the EU-Singapore Matchmaking Event in Singapore. This event is organized by the European Cluster Collaboration Platform – ECCP and the Cluster’s objectives with its participation are: to strengthen international partnerships, explore new markets for Partners, and share experiences on the transition to clean energies and efficient resource management. On this first day, the Cluster team made contacts and held meetings that will enable RTD partnerships in the future.
120 STUDENTS FROM FARO SENSITIZED WITH “MINERALS ARE LIFE!” INITIATIVE
As part of the awareness campaign “Minerals Are Life!” at national level, the Portugal Mineral Resources Cluster Association (ACPMR) held the first initiative of the 2024-2025 school year on October 18, at the JI Montenegro Basic School in Faro, with around 120 7th graders.The students learned what the products they use every day are made of, how mineral resources are obtained, and were made aware of the need for rational and sustainable exploitation and use of mineral resources.Each session ends with a championship between teams, based on the educational game “The Bag of Mineral Applications”. The winning teams receive prizes.The educational game “A Mala de Aplicações Minerais”, funded by the European Union, is part of the Awareness, Communication and Education initiatives carried out by EIT Raw Materials, in Portugal represented by the Department of Earth Sciences at Universidade Nova de Lisboa and Prof. Sofia Barbosa.Your school, child or friend can be part of this initiative!
RISE PROJECT PITCH SESSION
The 2nd day of the RISE Event, dedicated to the exclusive Pitch Session on Metals, Stone and Construction, took place at CCDR Alentejo, I.P., in the beautiful Alentejo city of Évora.Participants were challenged to split into groups and together come up with ingenious and innovative ideas on how to create a project, identifying challenges and opportunities, as part of the “Build a project: Identify challenges and business opportunities” workshop.Several organizations pitched their activities and projects.An excellent opportunity to meet other organizations, create synergies and possible collaborations!