O GLOBAL STONE CONGRESS 2025 JÁ COMEÇOU – E A ACPMR ESTÁ PRESENTE!
De 16 a 20 de junho, a cidade de Drama, na Grécia, acolhe um dos mais importantes eventos internacionais dedicados ao setor da pedra natural. A ACPMR – Cluster Portugal Mineral Resources Association marca presença neste importante congresso, onde se reúnem especialistas, investigadores, empresas e instituições de todo o mundo para debater o futuro dos recursos minerais, a inovação no setor, a sustentabilidade e a transição verde. O Global Stone Congress é um espaço de excelência para partilha de conhecimento técnico e científico, networking internacional e promoção de boas práticas no setor da pedra natural. O programa inclui conferências, sessões técnicas, mesas-redondas, apresentações científicas e visitas a pedreiras e unidades industriais da região.
ACPMR WILL PRESENT RISE PROJECT DURING GLOBAL STONE CONGRESS IN GREECE
We’re excited to present the RISE I3 project at this year’s Global Stone Congress! The seminar will explore how RISE – funded by the European Union through the I3 Instrument – is helping less developed and transition regions scale up circular economy solutions in key sectors like construction, rawmaterials, and advanced manufacturing. Join us as we discuss: How to bridge the “Valley of Death” for circular innovations What it takes to build cross-regional investment pipelines The role of SmartSpecialisationStrategies Opportunities to collaborate and scale sustainable solutions We’ll close with an open brainstorming session to co-create ideas on how circular innovation can drive Green Deal and digital transition goals in your region or sector.
AROUND THE SUSTAINABLE STONE BY PORTUGAL AGENDA – ACPMR
The SUSTAINABLE STONE BY PORTUGAL Agenda, within the scope of the PRR, has a financial execution of around 50% and a physical execution of over 55%. These results, the fruit of collaborative work between 52 organisations, are now being monitored on the ground by the MINERAL RESOURCES CLUSTER. On 6 June, the Cluster team spent the morning looking at the results of activity 3.3. New processes for Natural Stone, as part of WP 3- Connect Stone, where Arrow4D is developing two solutions. The aim of this initiative is to get to know in person what is being developed, to understand how the different partners are working towards common goals, to support solutions to mitigate difficulties and, in the end, to have an overall view of the entire Agenda. This sharing and working in partnership also has the objective of visioning the future, for systematic work on innovation.
DIGITALBUILT PROJECT IN THE SPOTLIGHT AT PORTUGAL RAILWAY SUMMIT 2025
The Portugal Mineral Resources Cluster Association, together with partners CCF – Railway Competence Centre Association, Itecons and PTPC, are representing the DIGITALbuilt project, exhibited on a stand, at the largest national railway event – the Portugal Railway Summit 2025, which took place between 21 and 22 May at the National Railway Museum in Entroncamento. DIGITALbuilt is the European Digital Innovation Hub (EDIH), which provides services for digital transformation, training, digital inclusion, support in finding funding and intermediation, SME incubation services and digital maturity diagnostics. The aim? To increase competitiveness, sustainability and efficiency! The event was organised by the PFP – Portuguese Railway Cluster Platform Association, which is also a partner of the DIGITALbuilt Project.
3RD INTERNATIONAL SYMPOSIUM ON NEW STONE CONSTRUCTIONS
The III International Symposium on New Constructions with Stone took place on 13 and 14 May at the Faculty of Engineering of the University of Beira Interior (Covilhã, Portugal) and at the Pinhel School Grouping, in the city of Pinhel (Portugal).The Symposium was an excellent opportunity for discussion between different players in the sector, from industry, design, academia and public organisations.As well as presentations by experts, there were experimental tests and workshops on connections in new stone structures.The Symposium was supported by the University of Beira Interior, the Portugal Mineral Resources Cluster Association, the Municipality of Pinhel, the Foundation for Science and Technology, the Pinhel School Group and the company Marfilpe.
ACPMR BROUGHT THE WORLD OF MINERAL RESOURCES TO THE STUDENTS OF ELVAS
On 12 May, the ACPMR organised another educational activity, ‘The Mineral Applications Suitcase’, with 100 8th grade students from the Elvas Nº2 School Group. 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, in which 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. Your school could be next! Get in touch with us. This game is funded by the European Union.
VISIT TO THE SÃO DOMINGOS MINE HIGHLIGHTS THE SECOND DAY OF THE INTERREG EMRIE PROJECT IN PORTUGAL
On 7th of May, the historic São Domingos Mine, located in the Iberian Pyrite Belt, was the scene of an emblematic visit that took place on the second day of the Kick-Off Meeting of the Interreg EMRIE project. This historic mining site, which once provided resources such as copper, sulphur, zinc, lead, gold and silver, served as the backdrop for a current reflection on the challenges and opportunities of sustainable mining in Europe. Coordinated by the Alentejo Regional Coordination and Development Commission, it aims to promote more innovative, resilient extraction and management practices in line with the ecological and digital transition. More than a technical visit, it symbolised the dialogue between past and future: from an industrial legacy marked by environmental impacts, to a new era of heritage enhancement, ecological regeneration and circular economy. This is just the start of an ambitious collaboration that aims to transform the way Europe looks at its critical raw materials.
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.