ACPMR REPRESENTED IN TÉCNICA MAGAZINE
The ACPMR is represented in the 28th edition of TÉCNICA magazine, published by CTCV – Centro de Tecnologia e Inovação (Centre for Technology and Innovation), which highlights the importance of mineral resources for sustainability, innovation and economic development, highlighting Portugal’s role in the energy transition, decarbonisation and European reindustrialisation.
KICK-OFF PROJECT – EMRIE: EUROPEAN MINING REGIONS INNOVATION ECOSYSTEMS SUPPORTING THE CIRCULARITY AND RESOURCE EFFICIENCY
The kick-off meeting for the EMRIE Interreg project: Innovation Ecosystems of European Mining Regions supporting Circularity and Resource Efficiency is taking place in Castro Verde on 6 and 7 May. The event brings together representatives from the eleven regions participating in the project with the aim of establishing a solid basis for collaboration and ensuring that all partners are aligned with: • in the project’s goals, scope, and expected results; • about the roles, tasks, and responsibilities of each partner; • about the timelines, deliverables, and activities for each work package. And to: • define the upcoming tasks and deadlines for the first months of implementation; • discuss project management, reporting obligations, financial guidelines, and compliance with Interreg rules; • establish a plan for communication, stakeholder engagement, and visibility. CCDR Alentejo is the leader of the project, which has 11 partners from different countries.
FROM THE FIELD TO THE LABORATORY: A DAY DEDICATED TO RESEARCH AND ENVIRONMENTAL REHABILITATION
On 16th April, the ACPMR took part in the 7th edition of the ‘Science on Holiday – Engineering and Geological Resources’ activity promoted by CERENA – the Natural Resources and Environment Centre of the Instituto Superior Técnico (IST). After visiting Mocapor on 15 April, the secondary school students who took part in this CERENA – IST activity immersed themselves in the laboratory characterisation of the samples collected, applying physical-mechanical tests and macroscopic analysis techniques. A real exercise in applied science! In the afternoon, an inspiring talk by Carolina Carreiras from Visa Consultores, who guided us through an essential perspective: environmental recovery in the extractive sector. This was followed by a quarry recovery simulation, where the groups presented proposals for environmental rehabilitation with a focus on economic, ecological and social sustainability. Science, awareness and creativity combined in one day. These young people are not only learning, but rethinking the future of geological resources with responsibility and innovation.
ACPMR IS A PARTNER IN THE UNIVERSITY OF MINHO’S POSTGRADUATE ALLIANCE PROJECT
The Associação Cluster Portugal Mineral Resources, Critical Catalyst, Congeo, Dstgroup, Grupo Erre, Quadrante, are partners of the University of Minho in the project ‘Aliança de Pós-Graduação – Competências para o Futuro’ (PRR/NextGenerationEU) within the scope of the Short Course on Integrated Management of Mineral Resource Exploration Areas, coordinated by Teresa Valente, Associate Professor with aggregates at the UMinho School of Sciences. This course, which is taught on a face-to-face basis, aims to identify the main environmental and economic factors environmental and economic factors associated with the extraction of mineral resources, defining measures to minimising environmental risk in the extraction of resources and applying measures to recover and rehabilitation of degraded areas.
MINERAL RESOURCES SECTOR ADVANCES IN SUSTAINABILITY AND REWARDS GOOD PRACTICES
The mineral resources sector took a significant step towards sustainability with the “Green Horizon: Sustainability in the Mineral Resources Sector” event, which took place yesterday, March 28th, at STONE IBÉRICA – Exponor (Matosinhos). The meeting brought together experts and companies to debate innovative decarbonization strategies, and culminated with the presentation of the “Mineral Resources – For Better Life” Awards, which distinguished the best environmental and social practices. The winners of the 1st edition were: 🏆 SOLANCIS – Decarbonization and Energy Efficiency🏆 ROCKING – Circular Economy, Waste Management and Recycling🏆 REDCORP – Innovation for Sustainability (Digitalization and Automation)🏆 FILSTONE – Environmental Sustainability🏆 SOMINCOR – Social and Community Responsibility (Environmental Education and Awareness)🏆 MARFILPE – Economic Sustainability The mineral resources sector reaffirms its commitment to innovation and sustainability, promoting a more responsible and ecological future.We express our deepest thanks to everyone involved who made this 1st Edition unforgettable! Note of thanks to Observador for presenting and moderating the Ceremony.
SUSTAINABLE STONE BY PORTUGAL AGENDA PROMOTED ANNUAL EVENT AND PRESENTED RESULTS THAT TRANSFORM THE NATURAL STONE SECTOR
The event to present the intermediate results of the Sustainable Stone by Portugal Agenda was held on March 27th, at Stone Ibérica Exponor in Matosinhos. The meeting shared the advances, impacts and solutions developed, which are transforming the ornamental stone industry through digitalization, circular economy and environmental sustainability. The event was attended by the Chairman of the National Monitoring Committee for the PRR, Dr. Pedro Dominguinhos, and the Secretary of State for the Economy, João Rui Ferreira, who pointed out that the entities in the sector are showing “a stratospheric change, almost science fiction, because we can do much more, with more precision, with much more anticipation of risks, faster, more efficiently and with much more value”. It was an excellent opportunity to learn about the innovations that are driving emblematic projects and contributing to the sector’s global competitiveness, as well as to meet the companies, entities and people who are adding value to Portugal.
STUDENTS ARE SENSITIZED WITH “MINERALS ARE LIFE” INITIATIVE
On March 19th, ACPMR organized the educational activity “A Mala de Aplicações Minerais” with 50 7th graders from the João Garcia Bacelar Primary and Secondary School in Tocha. 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.
ACPMR TAKES PART IN EPISODE OF EXPRESSO’S “MONEY MONEY MONEY” PODCAST
The war in Ukraine and reindustrialization are changing the way Europe looks at mines. Rare earths and other minerals are now strategic assets. This episode was moderated by João Silvestre, executive editor of Expresso, and featured Vitor Andrade, Expresso’s economics coordinator, and Luís Martins, president of the Portuguese Minerals Cluster.
ACPMR PROMOTES “CONNECTING GENERATIONS” EXHIBITION TOGETHER WITH FAUL
A unique initiative promoted by ACPMR – Associação Cluster Portugal Mineral Resources in partnership with FAUL – Faculdade de Arquitetura da Universidade de Lisboa, as part of the “UNIVERSAR MINERAIS” initiative, in which we strive to establish partnerships to attract young talent to the sector and, in this case, future prescribers. The event, which took place at FAUL on March 11th and 12th, from 09:00 to 18:00, aimed to build bridges between academia and companies, promoting the industry and attracting qualified young people to collaborate and innovate in the sector. The exhibition was attended by the companies Grupo Galrão, Solancis SA and Tons de Pedra – Mármores e Granitos do Mundo (dimpomar – Portuguese and World Natural Stone).
ACPMR PRESENTS SUSTAINABLE STONE BY PORTUGAL AGENDA IN GERMANY
SUSTAINABLE STONE BY PORTUGAL AGENDA CONCEPT WAS PRESENTED IN GERMANY The Cluster Mineral Resources, represented by Executive Director Marta Peres, presented the concept of the Sustainable Stone By Portugal Agenda today, March 7th, at the Industrial Technologies Workshop in Dusseldorf, Germany. The aim is to promote the best of what is being done in Portugal and to find international partners to continue innovating at European level.