Geodiversity Through the Lens of Built Heritage
The DER Técnico joins the Center for Natural Resources and Environment (CERENA) in celebrating International Geodiversity Day with the activity entitled "Geodiversity Through the Lens of Built Heritage".
This activity, which will take place on October 9th, 2023, includes a study visit to a monument in Lisbon - Lisbon Cathedral - where participants will have the opportunity to observe the diversity of stone materials (correlated with periods of construction or restoration) and also show the response (sometimes quite different) of these materials to agents of degradation and, therefore, show different patterns of decay.
APA gives green light to Montalegre mine and approves first lithium refinery in Portugal
The Agência Portuguesa do Ambiente (APA) has just given the "green light" to the reformulated lithium mine project that the company Lusorecursos wants to explore in Montalegre, which in addition to extracting this mineral also includes a refinery on the same site.
According to the company, construction work on the Romano mining project could begin in 2025 (including the respective access tunnels to the underground mine) and will last two years, with entry into operation scheduled for 2027.
The fact that this project includes refining the raw ore on site "is a clear added value of the project, due to the added value generated" and the "importance of the value chain being located in the territory".
I4-GREEN Technical Open Session
I4-GREEN Technical Open Session will take place online on the 6th September 2023, 16h30 CET, with the main objective of providing a technical briefing session for open call applicants. In this occasion, the pilot companies will share with attendants specific technical parameters to ensure a perfect fit to the real pilots’ (1-IHO Extremadura & 2-E-LIX Andalusia) requirements.
The session will be structured in two sections: Firstly, pilot axes overview, explaining the different voucher IDs available to opt for, and secondly, question time for the applicants, where pilots will solve doubts and response to applicants’ questions.
If you are interested, we kindly ask to save the date.
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ICEI-A Funding Webinar
On 27 September 2023 at 16:00 CET, the Secretariat of the European Industrial Circular Economy Investment Alliance (Dr. Pierre Padilla, N-ABLE) will perform a 45-minute webinar to introduce you to European interregional innovation funding.
The webinar will introduce 2 European calls for collaborative projects dedicated to funding TRL6+ innovations. Follow-up instructions on joining a consortium will also be provided during the webinar.
Follow the link bellow and sing up to this session! The session will be held in English.
A template is available for companies to sign up to make a short presentation pitch during an upcoming event
The I4-GREEN Project Call is OPEN NOW
Submit your proposal until 15th September 2023, 17:00 CET
The I4-GREEN Project call is OPEN NOW to promote the transfer of technology, services and products to sector-specific SMEs and to promote Cluster collaboration tools involving business services and financial support to SMEs in the ecosystem.
I4-GREEN is an innovation project funded by the European Commission under the Instrument for Interregional Investments in Innovation (I3) that proposes disruptive technologies to drive the green transition of mining companies.
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Is lithium a threat or an opportunity for Portugal?
News from Jornal Expresso
The Agência Portuguesa do Ambiente has authorised the first lithium exploration in Portugal, at the Barroso mine. Do the economic advantages outweigh the environmental risks?
This episode was moderated by João Silvestre, Expresso's Economy editor, and counted with the participation of Vítor Andrade, Expresso's journalist, and Luís Martins, president of the Portuguese Cluster of Mineral Resources. Salomé Rita was in charge of the edition.
The fundamental balance between mines and climate
News from Visão Magazine, written by Jorge Cristino, specialist in Environmental Sustainability and Climate Change.
Portugal has one of the most attractive lithium reserves in Europe. The opportunity given to us would make our country a world reference in this necessary transition. On this World Environment Day, it is worth reinforcing that we are facing a great strategic opportunity for the country, but also for the world.
If on one hand we know that the extraction of fossil fuels causes damage to the Earth's climate system, on the other we know that the energy transition and renewable energies require a change in the way we view the knowledge and extraction of geological resources, based on critical raw materials, essential for this sustainable growth. In total the European Union has defined 34 critical raw materials, but they are not only essential for renewable energies. They are also essential for health, construction, agriculture and mobility.
The lithium exploration project in the Barroso region, obtained the favorable Environmental Impact Declaration, conditioned by the Portuguese Environment Agency
The lithium exploration project in the Barroso region, in the municipality of Boticas (Vila Real District), obtained a favourable Environmental Impact Declaration (DIA), conditioned by compliance with some environmental and socio-economic measures, by the Portuguese Environment Agency (APA) - according to information provided by the promoter of the investment, Australian company Savannah Resources.
Savannah emphasises that the conditions of the DIA, with which it agrees, "guarantee that the project will be developed responsibly and that the socio-economic benefits will be shared with all stakeholders.
The Association Cluster Portugal Mineral Resources (ACPMR) welcomes the positive decision of the Portuguese Environment Agency (APA), since it is crucial for the production in Portugal of this critical metal, strategic and fundamental to the energy transition, as well as for the construction of its value chain in the country, a fact for which it has fought in recent years.
ACPMR is also convinced that this decision may unblock other fundamental issues for the mineral resources sector and for the country, so often postponed, aligning Portugal with recent guidelines of the European Commission, where the "Critical Raw Materials Act" regulation stands out and highlighting the need for the urgent preparation of a new National Strategy for Mineral Resources.
Companies based in the district of Leiria reached in 2022, more than 45 million euros in exports in the sector of ornamental stones
According to Jornal de Leiria, companies based in the district of Leiria reached in 2022 one of the highest values ever: more than 45 million euros in exports in the sector of ornamental rocks.
Alcobaça remains the most exporting county, having registered in 2022 an export volume of more than 25 million euros, which represented an increase of 15.98% compared to 2021. It is followed by the municipalities of Porto de Mós, which in 2022 exported 9,958,233 euros (2,175,251 euros more than in 2021) and Leiria, which recorded 3,523,952 euros of exports (1,043,785 euros more than in 2021).
SUSTAINABLE AGENDA STONE BY PORTUGAL (PRR) AT THE EVENT “AGENDAS MOBILIZADORAS NO ALENTEJO” – PACT – ÉVORA
The SUSTAINABLE STONE BY PORTUGAL AGENDA was presented by Mr. Samuel Delgado, CEO of SOLANCIS, the leading company of the Agenda, at the event "Mobilising Agendas in the Alentejo", which took place on the 4th April, in the PACT auditorium, in Évora.
The Alentejo Region, represents 38% of the total investment of the SUSTAINABLE STONE BY PORTUGAL AGENDA. The consortium is committed to solutions to add value, add intelligence to processes, increase the level of automation and robotization, increase the level of worker safety, achieve zero waste, increase knowledge and ecological levels and strengthen international links with markets.
This initiative promoted by PACT and CCDR Alentejo, was attended by Pedro Dominguinhos, Chairman of the National Monitoring Committee of the PRR and Isabel Ferreira, Secretary of State for Development.
During the session 17 Mobilizing Agendas were presented by the respective representatives, with investments in the Alentejo, under the Recovery and Resilience Plan (RRP).
Get to know the SUSTAINABLE STONE AGENDA BY PORTUGAL by clicking on the button below.
Critical Raw Materials: ensuring secure and sustainable supply chains for EU's green and digital future
On 16 March 2022, the European Commission proposed a comprehensive set of actions to ensure the EU's access to a secure, diversified, affordable and sustainable supply of critical raw materials. Critical raw materials are indispensable for a wide set of strategic sectors including the net zero industry, the digital industry, aerospace, and defence sectors.
While demand for critical raw materials is projected to increase drastically, Europe heavily relies on imports, often from quasi-monopolistic third country suppliers. The EU needs to mitigate the risks for supply chains related to such strategic dependencies to enhance its economic resilience, as highlighted by shortages in the aftermath of the Covid-19 and the energy crisis following Russia's invasion of Ukraine. This can put at risk the EU's efforts to meet its climate and digital objectives.
The Regulation and Communication on critical raw materials leverage the strengths and opportunities of the Single Market and the EU's external partnerships to diversify and enhance the resilience of EU critical raw material supply chains. The Critical Raw Materials Act also improves the EU capacity to monitor and mitigate risks of disruptions and enhances circularity and sustainability
CANDIDATURAS ABERTAS - REGISTO DE PEDIDO DE AUXÍLIOS
Visit of the Prime Minister to the Sustainable Stone By Portugal Agenda
The STONE BY PORTUGAL SUSTAINABLE AGENDA reinforced its commitment to the sustainable growth of the Portuguese economy, on the visit of the Prime Minister, António Costa to the Leading Company of the Consortium for this PRR Project – SOLANCIS.
With a growth in exports in recent years of around 14%, with a focus on Mobilizing Projects that have allowed for more transparent environmental postures, digitization and robotization of processes, more safety for people and the population and growth in the creation of qualified jobs, Green Agenda SUSTAINABLE STONE BY PORTUGAL will be another significant step for the Natural Stone Sector to continue to be a net contributor to the Portuguese economy, mainly in terms of exports and on behalf of Portugal in all works carried out with our stone and the our know-how and technology practically all over the world.
The SUSTAINABLE STONE BY PORTUGAL AGENDA is being developed in a logic of quadruple helix innovation, with 52 partners – Companies, Academia, Public Entities and Associations, coordinated by the CLUSTER DOS RESOUROS MINERALS. With an investment of 53,8 million, the Natural Stone Sector's commitment is to be a line of excellence in its relationship with the environment and society and increase productivity by 15% and make this reflected in wages.
WORKSHOP NEW SOLUTIONS FOR RECOVERING CRITICAL RAW MATERIALS
The REVIVING Project – revisiting mine tailings to innovate metals bio-recovery is inviting you to attend the workshop New Solutions for Recovering Critical Raw Materials.
The workshop will be held in English at the Department of Civil Engineering, University of Coimbra, and online, on January 30th. Focusing on the thematic of using mining wastes as a source of raw materials and new solutions for recovering raw materials.
Ideas competition - New Construction with Stone Symposium
Within the scope of the Symposium New Construction with Stone, to be held at the Faculty of Engineering of the University of Beira Interior on 2 and 3 March 2023, an ideas contest on sustainable materials and solutions that incorporate an innovation or application perspective is launched.
The competition is open to the academic and school community and to the society in general.
Call for abstracts - Global Stone Congress 2023
The submission of abstracts for the GLOBAL STONE CONGRESS 2023, an international event that Portugal will host between 18th to 23rd June 2023, in Batalha, is now open.
Authors can submit an abstract with a maximum of 450 words, until February 15th 2023, using the form available at the event website. All abstracts must be submitted in English.
Acceptance of the abstract by the Scientific Committee will be communicated by the 5th March. The authors will then have to submit a communication for presentation at the Congress and scientific publication.
Topics: Exploration, Exploitation, Quarrying; Processing, Transformation, Stone Characterization and New Products; Machines, Tools and Consumables; BIM integration on dimension stone industry; Environmental Recovery and Territory Management; Natural Stone & Architecture; Circular Economy & sustainability; Climate change impact on geomaterials; Geoheritage and Geoconservation; Health and Safety at work; Licensing and Inspection
Interregional investment for the sustainable supply of raw materials in the EU Green Energy Transition
I4-GREEN is an industry-driven project wishing to deploy regional circular economy innovations in the mining processes. Enabling access to raw materials is a crucial requisite for ensuring Europe’s recovery and is essential to preserve and further improve the environment and the life quality, while they are crucial to Europe’s economy due to the current deep Raw Materials crisis.
I4-GREEN stemmed from an interregional innovation network and will scale into a unique interregional ecosystem, real node for the green transformation of extractive industries and the emergence of an EU sustainable mining value chain. It will generate a proof of concept for forefront sustainable and environmentally friendly processing recovery technologies, becoming a lighthouse of low environmental impact, incorporating circular economy strategies and financial support into SMEs working on securing the sustainable supply of minerals essential to meet EU resilience and Green Energy Transition.
SEMACRET Project
SEMACRET project aims to promote sustainable exploration for green transition Critical Raw Materials in the EU securing the continued supply for its industries.
Critical Raw Materials are fundamental to feed the EU industrial value chains and strategic sectors and the green energy transition. Currently, supply of primary Critical Raw Materials is <3% for many important commodities which leaves the EU in a vulnerable position depending mostly on imports from third countries. The EU aims to boost the internal production of Critical Raw Materials to secure its autonomy and ensure responsible sourcing of these raw materials.
7th Edition Global Stone Congress 2023
The seventh Edition of the Global Stone Congress, the main technical-scientific event dedicated to the ornamental Stone sector, will take place in Batalha, Portugal, between 18th to 23rd of June 2023.
The GSC2023 will feature a series of lectures, poster presentation, round tables, seminars, workshops in the áreas of Architecture, Innovation and Sustainability. In addition to these iniciativas, Technical visits and networking moments are being prepared to provide interaction between all participants.
The Global Stone Congress 2023 is organized by ACPMR - Associação Cluster Portugal Mineral Resources, Universidade de Évora and Assimagra - Recursos Minerais de Portugal.
Mining and Circular Regions go to Brussels
European Regions are committed to enhancing responsible raw materials production- organised on 16th June 2022, at the North-Sweden European Office, Avenue des Arts 11, 1210 St Josse, Brussels
Smart Specialisation Partnership on Mining Industry and Global Value Chain (S3P Mining Industry) brings the European mining regions to work together on improving the conditions for sustainable access and supply of raw materials in the EU. EU mining and circular regions have a vital role since these regions have the most significant mineral potential for the discovery and development of mining projects, that is, the basis of a truly sustainable mineral value chain.
Today, more than ever, there is an urgent need to strengthen the European Union´s strategic autonomy and reduce our dependence on imported mineral raw materials, especially from countries with high geopolitical risk.
CIRCO Hub Portugal
CIRCO Hub Portugal is financed by the Environmental Fund and has as partners the National Energy and Geology Laboratory (LNEG), which coordinates the project, the Agency for Competitiveness and Innovation (IAPMEI) and the Portuguese Environment Agency (APA).
The CIRCO Hub Portugal Program has as main objective to train national companies, of any size (with priority to SMEs), responsible for the manufacture of products (with their own or external design) and that are interested in applying strategies and practices to develop their business. , towards sustainability and the circular economy, through its employees, with tools that promote the transition to a more adequate and sustainable management of resources and its value chain, with a view to a more circular economy.
Companies interested in participating can access the website https://circohubportugal.lneg.pt where they can find all the relevant information about the Application that will be subject to a prior selection.
The project aims to train 100 companies, with 2 representatives per company, who will participate in CIRCO circular business development tracks (in a series of 3 workshops) and 60 designers, who will participate in 1-day sessions on CIRCO circular design.
The methodology used, of Dutch origin, applies design and design thinking to the development of products, services and circular business models, worked on in creative and collaborative sessions. To date, the program has supported more than 1000 companies and hundreds of designers in different countries (Germany, Poland, Brazil, Sri Lanka and Turkey).
Cluster Portugal Mineral Resources attended in the Alentejo Regional Innovation Council
Cluster Portugal Mineral Resources, in the person of the Executive Director Marta Peres, attended today in the Regional Council of Innovation of Alentejo, of which it is a member.
This Council is part of the Alentejo Regional Coordination and Development Commission, which coordinate and ensures the necessary functional articulations with the CCDR Regional Council, the Intersectoral Coordination Council and the Regional PO Monitoring Committee, as well as representative entities of the Regional Scientific and Technological System, technology producers and advanced users, planning and management of relevant sectoral and R&I policies, companies and other economic and social actors, inter-municipal entities.
Today, the Governance Model was presented and approved for the operationalization of a successful Regional Innovation Strategy.
The Cluster Portugal Mineral Resources continues and will continue to be an active member for the Region's competitiveness and innovation.
DIGITALbuilt met in Porto de Mós
DIGITALbuilt , European Digital Innovation Hub, had its first face-to-face consortium meeting at Castelo de Porto de Mós on July 19, 2022. The meeting aimed to finalize the formal aspects of the DIGITALbuilt constitution and discuss its operationalization, with the presence of the various partners and teams involved. There's a lot of ambition and big plans in sight for the Twin Transition of the Built Environment!
The hospitality of the Municipality of Porto de Mós , in the person of Mr. President Jorge Vala.
CLUSTER PORTUGAL MINERAL RESOURCES at the EU Clusters Talk event “From magnesium to steel: Navigating shifts in critical raw materials and global supply chains”
On June 22, in an organization of the European Cluster Collaboration Platform, on behalf of the European Commission (DG GROW), Luís Martins – President of the Board of Directors of the Cluster of Mineral Resources, discussed with other European partners and with the EC, the problems in European distribution chains related to raw materials, possible solutions, sustainability of the chains and possible actions (policy and industrial).
Mobilizing Agenda – StoneByPortugal – is part of the 51 classified as favorable for the negotiation phase
The event “Agendas de Inovação: No Caminho para Reindustrializar Portugal”, took place on June 21, at the Pavilhão do Conhecimento in Lisbon.
António Costa mentioned that the international jury approved 51 consortia that should proceed to the next negotiation phase. “The agendas that were approved provide for 7.6 billion euros of investment to be carried out by December 31, 2026”, with “public support of three billion euros distributed between investment by companies and research and development by institutions scientific".
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Global Stone 2023 Start-up Event 2023 - New Challenges on Dimension Stones, from Portugal to the World
Global Stone Congress 2023 was announced on June 2nd, 2022, with a small conference named GSC Start Up, during STONE Fair 2022.
The welcome pitch was made by Luis Martins, Chairman of de Board Cluster Portugal Mineral Resources and Luis Lopes, University of Évora, member of the GSC Executive Committee.
The launch featured 3 lectures offered by Agostinho da Silva (Administrator CEI- Member of the board Cluster Portugal Mineral Resources), António Silva (Geologist (ASSIMAGRA – Portuguese Association of Mineral Resources Industry / CTCV – Technological Centre of Ceramics and Glass)) and Isabel Almeida (ISCTE – University Institute of Lisbon), addressing the themes Digital Era and Green Deal.
The event also featured the presentation of 3 innovative products from SMEs: SOLANCIS, FRONTWAVE and FRAVIZEL.
Marta Peres, Executive Director of the Cluster Portugal Mineral Resources and General Secretary of the event, ended the session by presenting the history of this international congress since 2005 and launching the GSC 2023.
With more than 50 participants, this initiative was intended to be a save the date for 2023 and contribute to the exchange of knowledge and its continuity.
The Portuguese Dimension Stone Sector will be delighted to welcome the Global Stone Congress and you in Portugal, in 2023.
Soon we’ll announce the date and location.
The North met the South for a sustainable Mineral Resources Industry!!! in Brussels
The Meeting “Regions of Mineral Resources meet in Brussels” took place on June 16 with the representation of the following regions: Alentejo and Centro Region (Portugal), Castilla y Leon (Spain), Lapland (Finland), Norrbotten (Sweden) ), Central Region (Greece).
The Alentejo Region was represented by the Mineral Resources Cluster – Marta Peres, by indication of CCDR Alentejo and the Centro Region, by Paula Morais - University of Coimbra, by indication of CCDR Centro.
In an initiative of the partnership S3P Mining Industries and the Government of Lapland, during the day, representatives from the Regions discussed the development of the mineral resources industry in the regions and in Europe, with high-level representatives from DG GROW, DG ENV, DG REGIO and OECD.
Application “Mobilizing Agenda -Sustainable Stone by Portugal” submitted to the Recovery and Resilience Plan
Consortium of 53 Companies and Entities related to the Natural Stone Sector, presented their mobilizing project for a more digital, green and competitive Portugal to the tender RE-C05-io1: Mobilizing Projects for Reindustrialization.
GLOBAL STONE CONGRESS 2023 START UP - STONE Fair, 2022
On behalf of the Executive Committee, we would like to invite you to participate in the GLOBAL STONE CONGRESS 2023 START UP.
Due to the COVID 19 pandemic, the GSC has been suspended. We believe that in 2023, conditions are already in place to receive the congress in its original format, in Portugal.
We decided to launch the 2023 edition, at the STONE Fair, in 2022, so that we do not lose the spirit of knowledge sharing and international innovation.
We are very much looking forward to meeting with you again, in person or online.
Notice of tender opening
Within the scope of the PRR, the following notices are open:
N.º 02/C11-i01/2022 - INVESTMENT TC-C11-i01 – Decarbonization of Industry (Notice-N-º-02C11-i012022.aspx)
Consolidar Program - Capitalization and Resilience Fund
Strategic Recapitalization Program - Capitalization and Resilience Fund
Cluster of Mineral Resources starts awareness-raising campaign by National Schools
As part of the awareness campaign for young people aged between 11 and 18 in Portuguese schools about the importance of Mineral Resources in everyday life, the Portugal Mineral Resources Cluster carried out another initiative at Escola Básica Dr. Anastácio Gonçalves, in Alcanena, on the 8th of March.
More than 60 young people between 10 and 11 years old, from 4th and 5th grade classes, got to know what the products they use on a daily basis are made of, where they come from and were made, aware of the need for exploration and use, and rational and sustainable use of mineral resources.
These initiatives continue to be a success with young people! Come to understand that without Mineral Resources, their daily lives would not be the same and more importantly, that it is possible to explore and use them in a sustainable way and with respect for Society.
The pedagogical game “Briefcase of mineral applications”, financed by the European Union, is part of the Awareness, Communication and Education initiatives carried out by EIT Raw Materials, in Portugal represented, in this context, by the Department of Earth Sciences of Universidade Nova de Lisbon and by Prof. Sofia Barbosa.
Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa promulgates amendments to the “Law of Mines” made after the announcement of the dissolution of Parliament and in the absence of sector associations and DGEG
The Associations of the mineral resources industry, which represent hundreds of companies and thousands of jobs, express their displeasure and total incomprehension regarding the enactment, by the President of the Republic, Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa, of the amendments approved by the Assembly of the Republic (AR), in November, to DL 30/2021 of 7 May, which regulates Law No. 54/2015, of 22 June, concerning mineral deposits.
MOBILIZING AGENDA SUSTAINABLE STONE BY PORTUGAL
ELIGIBLE WITH VERY GOOD
20 Companies in the Natural Stone Sector, 10 Technology and Software Development Companies, 13 ENESIIs, ASSIMAGRA, the MINERAL RESOURCES CLUSTER, 2 Public Entities and 1 Colab, received notification today that their Application to the Mobilization Agendas within the scope of the Recovery and Resilience Plan, was considered eligible.
'Sustainable Stone by Portugal' | Presentation ceremony of the Mobilizing Agendas for Business Innovation
On December 2nd, the public presentation of the Mobilization Agenda took place | Sustainable Stone by Portugal - enhancement of natural stone for a digital, sustainable and qualified future, carried out by Eng.º Agostinho da Silva, on behalf of CLUSTER PORTUGAL MINERAL RESOURCES, the company Líder SOLANCIS and all the members of the Consortium.
DIGITALbuilt recognized as Digital Innovation Hub
DIGITALbuilt, the collaborative initiative of the Architecture, Engineering and Construction Cluster (AEC), the Portuguese Railway Platform Cluster (PFP), the ACPMR - Association Cluster Portugal Mineral Resources, the Itecons Interface Center, StoneCITI, the BUILT COLAB, from FI GROUP and FNWAY, it was recognized as a Digital Innovation Hub.
This recognition means that, in a “one-stop-shop” logic for SMEs and the Public Administration, services within the scope of digitization will be made available, with the aim of supporting the digital transformation of the business fabric of the construction sector.
Smart Specialisation – Mining Industries partnership gathered in Lisbon, Portugal
Portugal is hosting between today and tomorrow, the Meeting of the partnership for Mining Industries within the framework of Smart Specialisation in Europe.
In a joint organization between the Faculty of Sciences of the University of Lisbon and the Cluster Portugal Mineral Resources, over two days it will be discussed the inter-regional cooperation for a sustainable Mining Industry in Europe.
Stage for Members - Faculty of Sciences, University of Lisbon
During 2021, the ASSOCIAÇÃO CLUSTER PORTUGAL MINERAL RESOURCES will give a weekly stage to its members. Because we are proud of the network we have been building, between Companies, Academy and other Entities, and because each member of the Cluster fills us with pride.
This week the Faculty of Sciences of the University of Lisbon “goes up” to the stage.
Stage for Members - António Galego & Filhos, Mármores SA
During 2021, the ASSOCIAÇÃO CLUSTER PORTUGAL MINERAL RESOURCES will give a weekly stage to its members. Because we are proud of the network we have been building, between Companies, Academy and other Entities, and because each member of the Cluster fills us with pride.
This week the AGF “goes up” to the stage.
Stage for Members - CCDR Alentejo
During 2021, the ASSOCIAÇÃO CLUSTER PORTUGAL MINERAL RESOURCES will give a weekly stage to its members. Because we are proud of the network we have been building, between Companies, Academy and other Entities, and because each member of the Cluster fills us with pride.
This week the CCDR Alentejo “up” the stage.
Stage for Members - MVC
During 2021, the ASSOCIAÇÃO CLUSTER PORTUGAL MINERAL RESOURCES will give a weekly stage to its members. Because we are proud of the network we have been building, between Companies, Academy and other Entities, and because each member of the Cluster fills us with pride.
This week MVC “goes up” to the stage.
EU-Latin America Partnership on Raw Materials - “Innovative solutions for sustainable mineral exploration”
One the main priorities for EU and Latin America is to foster mineral exploration as a key measure to secure supply of raw materials. Exploration of minerals must be aligned to local conditions and international trends, including social and environmental standards in order to be more effective and sustainable.
Stone Art – The Stone Festival in Serra de Aire e Candeeiros
The quarries of the extractive nucleus of Codaçal, in Porto de Mós, were the stage for the Stone Art artistic and cultural festival, which created an urban art script, bringing together graffiti, mural painting and sculpture, integrated into the industrial landscape and natural surroundings of Serras d 'Aire and Lamps.
The event took place between August 19th and 29th, and sought to cross the visual arts, the natural park and its geological, natural and landscape resources, in which there has been a capacity to reconcile industry, nature and communities.
MINE.THE.GAP - PROJECTS START IN SEPTEMBER
Projects approved under the Project's first tender notice Mine.The.GAP funded by Innovation Vouchers, start in September.
ACPMR represented in the working group created to identify Portugal's mining potential
This Working Group was created by dispatch No. 8364/2021, of August 24, to identify the national mining potential, meeting the needs of raw materials to supply the industry and present a proposal for a strategy for geological resources.
INOVMINERAL 4.0 innovation happening, online and in person
We continue to network for the sector, to meet the challenges of reindustrialisation, digitization and decarbonisation.
Online or in person, the meetings and meetings to debate ideas and solutions have been taking place in a dynamic and active way between all the co-promoters.
With the InovMINERAL4.0 Mobilizer Project, the intention is to continue following the path of InovSTONE4.0 ( https://www.inovstone.pt ).
The project's general objective is the reorientation of innovative industrial models for the Mineral Resources Industry through the development of advanced technologies, new products and software that respond to the entire value chain: upstream, valuation of Mineral Resources and Market Place (link to customer/market).
Consultation phase, within the scope of the definition of the National Rail Plan
The Mineral Resources Cluster was invited to participate in the consultation phase, within the scope of the definition of the National Rail Plan, which is now taking place in Évora.
The main objective of this consultation session for the National Rail Plan is the participants' reflections on the role that rail transport can play in the future, both in passenger and goods transport.
Stage for Members - B Stone
During 2021, the ASSOCIAÇÃO CLUSTER PORTUGAL MINERAL RESOURCES will give a weekly stage to its members. Because we are proud of the network we have been building, between Companies, Academy and other Entities, and because each member of the Cluster fills us with pride.
This week, B Stone “steps up” on stage.
Recovery and Resilience Plan - Mobilizing Agendas for Business Innovation
The Mineral Resources Cluster attended the presentation session of Component C5 of the Recovery and Resilience Plan - Mobilizing Agendas for Business Innovation, which took place on July 19, at 3 pm, in the Auditorium of the Alentejo Science and Technology Park (PACT).
The session was attended by the Assistant Secretary of State for the Economy, João Neves, the Secretary of State for Science, Technology and Higher Education, João Sobrinho Teixeira, and the Secretary of State for the Valorization of the Interior, Isabel Ferreira.
Along with the cluster, some associates attended the presentation: MARFILPE, Fravizel, UE, Cei, ISCTE, IST, Frontwave Arrow4d and Assimagra.
Productive Innovation Incentive System - Application and Registration Support
Open application: Notice No. 13/SI/2021 - Productive Innovation.
We add value to your project, contact us!
Productive Innovation Incentive System - Application and Registration Support
Open application: NOTICE No. 12/SI/2021 - Productive Innovation - Interior Territories.
We add value to your project, contact us!
Stage for Members - MARFILPE
During 2021, the ASSOCIAÇÃO CLUSTER PORTUGAL MINERAL RESOURCES will give a weekly stage to its members. Because we are proud of the network we have been building, between Companies, Academy and other Entities, and because each member of the Cluster fills us with pride.
This week, MARFILPE “goes up” to the stage.
Science 2021 Meeting
Science 2021: June 28th, 29th and 30th.
Registration is open for the great national meeting of the scientific community.
The initiative is promoted by the Foundation for Science and Technology, in collaboration with Ciência Viva and the Parliamentary Commission for Education and Science. It has the institutional support of the Government through the Minister of Science, Technology and Higher Education. This year, the invited country is France, which will actively participate in the program, highlighting the exchange and strong scientific cooperation existing between the two countries. The broadcast format will again be hybrid, with some sessions exclusively face-to-face and others, in particular the plenary sessions, simultaneously face-to-face and online.
Reviving Project - REVISITING MINE TAILINGS TO INNOVATE METALS BIORECOVERY
This project is focused on valuing mine tailings as resources, supplying metals that are extracted today via other processes, promoting recycling, minimizing the production of hazardous waste, and thereby embracing a circular economy. The objective of the REVIVING project is to get improved models for efficiently recycling metals from residues in case-study mines. The expected success of this work will result in the validation of a clean, economic and innovative bioprocess for metal recovery from wastes, which will return residues to the productive cycle, supporting the EU’s transition to a circular economy.
World Day to Combat Desertification and Drought
Portugal is one of the countries affected by desertification, partly due to the aridity of its climate, characterised by 3 to 5 dry months per year.
Water is essential in the mineral resources industry. The extracting and transforming companies of mineral resources are water resource consumers and, as such, are concerned with the correct management of this valuable asset.
The valorisation and efficient use of water has always been present in all production layouts. Currently, the management of resources is a perfect match with the concern that the sector shows for climate change, contributing to better energy management and greater circularity and sustainability of the economy.
Stage for Members - Solancis
During 2021, the ASSOCIAÇÃO CLUSTER PORTUGAL MINERAL RESOURCES will give a weekly stage to its members. Because we are proud of the network we have been building, between Companies, Academy and other Entities, and because each member of the Cluster fills us with pride.
This week Solancis “up” the stage.
Stage for Members - Plácido José Simões
During 2021, the ASSOCIAÇÃO CLUSTER PORTUGAL MINERAL RESOURCES will give a weekly stage to its members. Because we are proud of the network we have been building, between Companies, Academy and other Entities, and because each member of the Cluster fills us with pride.
This week, Plácido José Simões “up” the stage.
General Assembly - Save the Date
The Mineral Applications Case - Pedagogical Game
We present “A Suitcase of Mineral Applications”, a set of educational games available online ( https://www.thebriefcasegame.eu ), compiled in the kit that includes 4 Educational Suitcases, suitable for each level of schooling from 6 to 9 years old, from 10 to 14 years old, from 15 to 18 years old (available shortly) and the instruction manual of the educational games in each suitcase. The game is also available in physical format, in the form of a suitcase that includes 10 minerals, identification tools and 10 everyday items. They may be reproduced or requested by interested Schools, with active collaboration from the Cluster. Teachers wishing to organize an activity within the scope of the annual activity plan with their students, at their school, may request the game in physical format and the visit of a coach to the school to make the activity more dynamic. This initiative will have no associated costs for the school.
With your collaboration, we will complement and cement students' knowledge about mining activities and mineral applications, encourage sustainability and the efficient use of all natural mineral resources, considered essential to the daily lives of human beings.
It is based on these premises that we release the educational game “The Case of Mineral Applications” and we strongly hope to have your active participation.
We invite you to join this webinar moderated by Luís Martins, President of the Board of the Cluster Portugal Mineral Resources. On June 17, from 16:00 to 17:30 (CEST).
High-Level Steering Group of the European Innovation Partnership on Raw Materials
Cluster Portugal Mineral Resources has been reappointed as member of the High-Level Steering Group of the European Innovation Partnership on Raw Materials by the EUROPEAN COMMISSION. CPRM is represented by the chairman of the cluster's board of directors Luís Martins.
Stage for Members - RAFAÉIS MÁMMORES
During 2021, the ASSOCIAÇÃO CLUSTER PORTUGAL MINERAL RESOURCES will give a weekly stage to its members. Because we are proud of the network we have been building, between Companies, Academy and other Entities, and because each member of the Cluster fills us with pride.
This week RAFAÉIS MÁRMORES “goes up” to the stage.
We cordially invite you to the webinar EU-Latin America responsible battery value chains, which is taking place next 17 June 2021 from 16:00 to 17:30 (CEST).
This business-oriented webinar seeks to showcase best practice examples of responsible battery raw materials value chain integration led by EU and Latin America stakeholders. A secure and responsible supply of battery raw materials is a vital prerequisite for electric mobility and renewable energy, and therefore it plays a key role in achieving a climate-neutral economy.
Companies, industry associations, policy makers, civil society experts and the research and innovation community from the battery raw materials supply chain are invited to join the debate with speakers from the European Commission, the Ministry of Mines and Energy of Brazil, Albemarle – Chile, the Cluster Portugal Mineral Resources and others.
Simultaneous translation will be available in Portuguese, Spanish and English.
Stage for Members - Louribrás
During the year 2021, the ASSOCIATION CLUSTER PORTUGAL MINERAL RESOURCES, will give a weekly stage to its associates. Because we are proud of the network that we have been building, between Companies, Academia and other Entities, and because each member of the Cluster fills us with pride.
This week Louribrás “takes the stage”.
Stage for Members - LNEG
During the year 2021, the ASSOCIATION CLUSTER PORTUGAL MINERAL RESOURCES, will give a weekly stage to its associates. Because we are proud of the network that we have been building, between Companies, Academia and other Entities, and because each member of the Cluster fills us with pride.
This week, LNEG “goes up” to the stage.
International Museum Day
We selected 5 museums that you have to put on your visit list.
May 18th is enshrined as International Museum Day and, to commemorate this day, we have selected some of the most interesting museums that address the Mineral Mineral Resources in Portugal to be able to include in your list.
EIC Accelerator
The EIC Accelerator, with applications continuously open and the first cut-off date on 16 June, is a funding instrument that aims to support the development of start-ups and small and medium-sized enterprises with the potential to achieve high impact. The aim is to use the nearly €1 billion available to support disruptive projects, innovations that support the European Green Deal, as well as digital and health technologies with grants, equity investment, training, coaching and mentoring, access to investors and other companies.
GTARM - Advanced Management and Technology in Mineral Resources
It is possible to apply to the TeSP of GTARM - Advanced Management and Technology in Mineral Resources for people who turn 23 years old until December 31st, 2020, and who do not have the opportunity to apply through the normal system. Registration for these exams runs until May 20th, involving two exams organized by the Polytechnic of Leiria. The general culture test will be held on June 5 and the math test on June 19.
When registering online for the exams, the candidate must submit the following documents:
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Qualifications certificate;
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Curriculum Vitae, updated and accompanied by all the professional training proofs;
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Motivation letter.
Laboratory Characterization of Natural Stone: Introduction
The ability to access the most demanding Natural Stone markets requires strict control over the quality of products and services offered. Especially important is the competence of the technical teams to:
- ensure that the Stone supplied corresponds to what was demanded, with regard to its behavior and its esthetic properties and characteristics;
- anticipate the behavior of the Stone in the different conditions of application of the material.
WHEN: July 12-15
DURATION: 16 hours | 4 days
Portuguese language
LOCATION: HERCULES Laboratory and Mechanical Testing Laboratories (LEM), University of Évora, Portugal
Stage for MEMBERS - ISEP
During the year 2021, the ASSOCIATION CLUSTER PORTUGAL MINERAL RESOURCES, will give a weekly stage to its members. Because we are proud of the network that we have been building, between Companies, Academia and other Entities, and because each member of the Cluster fills us with pride.
This week ISEP “goes up” to the stage.
Stage for Members- Frazão Rochas SA
During the year 2021, the ASSOCIATION CLUSTER PORTUGAL MINERAL RESOURCES, will give a weekly stage to its associates. Because we are proud of the network we have been building, between Companies, Academia and other Entities, and because each member of the Cluster fills us with pride.
This week Frazão Rochas SA “takes the stage”.
Technological Pole in Mineral Resources - Centro Region
The signing of the protocol for the constitution of the TECHNOLOGICAL POLO IN MINERAL RESOURCES - CENTRAL REGION was carried out yesterday, April 27, 2021, at the Cineteatro de Porto Mós. Coordinated by the Municipality of Porto Mós, as an action to support the main sector of the Region, this Hub is the network integration of the dynamics already underway developed by StoneCITI.
Regional Smart Specialization Strategy 2030 -EREI
The document “Estratégia Regional de Especialização Inteligente 2030 - EREI". A (new) decade to co-build the region and challenge the future ”unanimously approved at a meeting of the Regional Innovation Council of Alentejo, has already been published.
The Mineral Resources Cluster, a member of the Regional Innovation Council of Alentejo, carried out a summary of the consultation of EREI Alentejo 2030.
Obviously, consulting the summary does not dispense with a more thorough reading of the complete document, made available by CCDR Alentejo.
Earth Day
Today, April 22, the day on which Earth Day is celebrated, which aims to make the population aware of the values of nature conservation, environmental protection and other concerns associated with the biodiversity of planet Earth. To mark this day, the Cluster Portugal Mineral Resources stresses the commitment of its associates to sustainability and protection of the environment.
Stage for Members - FRAVIZEL
During the year 2021, the ASSOCIATION CLUSTER PORTUGAL MINERAL RESOURCES, will give a weekly stage to its associates. Because we are proud of the network that we have been building, between Companies, Academia and other Entities, and because each member of the Cluster fills us with pride.
This week, FRAVIZEL “goes up” to the stage.
Bronze Label certification recognizes good management practices
The Cluster Portugal Mineral Resources was recognized at the European level with the “BRONZE” seal of excellence in accordance with the European Cluster Recognition System managed and awarded by ESCA (European Secretariat for Cluster Analysis), which recognizes good management practices of the Cluster.
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Travel Guide to a Competitive Economy
IAPMEI and the Ministry of Economy and Digital Transition, invite you to embark on the “Guide to a competitive economy” conference, to be held under the Portuguese Presidency of the Council of the European Union, on the 28th April, starting at 9:45 am.
This event aims to raise awareness of business success cases and contribute to the debate on the valorization of national production factors and the best way to enhance them.
On board this high-level conference will be representatives of the main clusters of national competitiveness, business associations, public entities and some leading figures in the economy for an interesting trip to the national economy that does not appear in tourist guides, but that puts the country on the map.
Stage for Associates - FILSTONE
During the year 2021, the ASSOCIATION CLUSTER PORTUGAL MINERAL RESOURCES, will give a weekly stage to its associates. Because we are proud of the network that we have been building, between Companies, Academia and other Entities, and because each member of the Cluster fills us with pride.
This week FILSTONE “takes the stage”.
Webinar - Uranium in Portugal. From Exploration to Environmental Remediation
Under the joint organization of the Regional College of Geology and Mines of the Centro Region with the National Colleges of Geology and Mines and Environment, a webinar entitled April 28, starting at 2:00 pm and lasting approximately 3 hours, will be held "Uranium in Portugal. From Exploration to Environmental Remediation", which will take place online, via ZOOM.
Stage for Members
During the year 2021, the ASSOCIATION PORTUGAL CLUSTER MINERAL RESOURCES, will give a weekly stage to its associates, because we are proud of the network we have been building, between companies, academia and other entities, and because each member of the Cluster fills us with pride.
This week ASSIMAGRA - Mineral Resources of Portugal "goes on stage".
Training Action - Digital Quarries Management Platform
ARROW4D, in partnership with ASSOCIAÇÃO CLUSTER PORTUGAL MINERAL RESOURCES and ASSIMAGRA , are organizing a training course on the INXSTONE Platform - Digital Quarries Management Platform, 100% co-financed, and aimed at companies that have quarries in the Alentejo.
This Platform is a technological solution developed by the company ARROW4D, with the objective of helping in the management of quarries. INXSTONE is a web platform that allows visualization, communication, cloud storage and data monitoring, collected using the latest technologies and that, in a comfortable, accessible, real-time and anywhere, allows access to a set of fundamental information for the management of a quarry.
The training will not be in a group, but personalized for each of the participating companies.
Take advantage of this opportunity!
For more information and registration contact ARROW4D via email: global@inxstone.com
Webinar - New Data Economy
Find your potential customers and improve your company's results.
The world and the economy are changing at breakneck speeds, new free business models for the user based on “big data” have been imposing and consolidating. Faced with this constantly changing scenario, companies and people have to understand what is happening in order to adapt and know how to get the best out of their own businesses in the face of this new situation.
Directed: The session is directed to the commercial and marketing managers of small and medium-sized companies (SMEs). The contents are especially interesting for managers, commercial and marketing directors.
Objective: During the Webinar, the current business model is described and offers a practical and applied solution to find new potential customers.
This webinar will be presented in Spanish.
Presentation of the InterComm Report study - Global B2B Communication
Aicep Portugal Global, Escola Superior de Comunicação Social and SayU Consulting promote the presentation of the study InterComm Report - B2B Communication Trends in Global Businesses.
A pioneering study of B2B Communication trends in global markets, InterComm responds to the need to understand how Communication is understood by Portuguese organizations that focus on selling to other companies - Business-to-Business (B2B) - and relevant international businesses and presents a portrait of the role of Communication in building and managing relationships with its stakeholders.
Watch live and learn about the study's conclusions.
Mining Environmental Liabilities Management Webinar
It is with great pleasure that we invite you to the Mining Environmental Liabilities Management webinar: Inventory, risk assessment, reprocessing, reuse and rehabilitation , which will take place on April 26, 2021 from 16:00 to 17:30 ( CET).
This webinar will focus on innovative solutions to resolve, mitigate and / or prevent environmental impacts caused by effluents, emissions and waste from ongoing, abandoned or inactive mining operations.
This webinar is organized by the EU-Latin America Partnership on Raw Materials.
A call for tenders is open for the award of a Research Grant/Scholarship
A call for tenders is open for the award of a Research Grant/Scholarship for bachelor, within the scope of the "Calcinata" project - Production of lime-based mortar from the calcination of carbonated sludges from the ornamental stone industry (marble and limestone), Project nº 72239, co-financed by the regional OP of Alentejo 2020, Portugal 2020 and the European Union through the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF).
OPEN LETTER TO THE PRIME MINISTER | MINERAL RESOURCES
ASIMAGRA, CLUSTER OF MINERAL RESOURCES, APICER, APG, and the COLLEGE OF GEOLOGICAL ENGINEERING AND MINES OF THE ORDER OF ENGINEERS OF PORTUGAL, presented an Open Letter to the Prime Minister of Portugal.
The open letter aims to raise awareness of the XXII CONSTITUTIONAL GOVERNMENT to clearly support the national extractive sector, recognizing its economic importance in generating employment and wealth, increasing the value chain, increasing exports, and contributing to territorial cohesion.
Public Session - Presentation of the Strategic Study of the Zona dos Mármores
Today, the public presentation of the Strategic Study of Zona dos Mármores took place online. This initiative brought together the Mineral Resources Cluster and ASSIMAGRA. For about 1 hour, 93 participants learned about the main conclusions of the study. In the end, there was still room for questions. This study made it possible to think strategically about the Estremoz anticline, characterizing the region and its heaps and established four strategic vectors (Streamlining and Diversifying the Economy; Creating Employment and Social Welfare; Ensuring Environmental Sustainability and Ensuring Good Territorial Governance ) and respective action measures.
'Co-financed' study of ALENTEJO 2020, Portugal 2020 and the European Union through the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF).
Mineral Resources Cluster responded to the Public Consultation on the Recovery and Resilience Plan promoted by the Government
The Recovery and Resilience Plan is part of the Portugal 2030 Strategy, as part of the European Union's Recovery and Resilience Mechanism. The EU intends to achieve the economic recovery of its member states, putting Europe at the forefront of sustainability and technological innovation, for a more resilient future for European citizens.
Find out in the document the contributions of the Cluster of Mineral Resources to this Plan.
DIGITALbuilt - Digital Innovation Hub for the Built Environment
Architecture, Engineering and Construction Cluster together with the Mineral Resources Cluster and the Portuguese Railway Cluster submitted a joint application for the Creation of DIGITALbuilt - Digital Innovation Hub. It also has a partnership with BUILT CoLAB, Technological Interface Centers (ITECONS, StoneCITI and soon the Railway Competence Center) and with other support entities (FI GROUP and FNWAY).
Save The Date - The Alentejo marbles: Industry, History and Heritage
The Alentejo marbles, flag of the extractive industry and Portuguese exports, in focus in the next session of the cycle of seminars on mining heritage, of APAI - Associação Portuguesa de Arqueologia Industrial.
On the 11th of March on Zoom (Access password: 683214), with the collaboration of the Associação Cechap.
Save The Date - International Info Day
The MINE.THE.GAP consortium will host an international Info Day on 11 March to present the MINE.THE.GAP project and the first open call. All interested companies and institutions in Europe are invited to participate. The event will take place from 13:00 – 15:00 CET.
Strategic Study of the Zona dos Mármores | Save The Date
Presentation of the Strategic Study of Zona dos Mármores | Save The Date. March 16, 2021.
More Information coming soon.
Project Co-financed by Alentejo 2020
Xperience 4.0 Initiative
Within the scope of the Advantage 4.0 project, COTEC Portugal launched the Xperience 4.0 initiative with the objective of training professionals to accelerate the innovation cycle, through experimental development, production, rapid prototyping and industrialization. Reference cases will be presented over several sessions, both nationally and internationally. The first session will take place on March 9, at 3:30 pm, through a digital platform, and will count on the participation of Brainport Industries, a campus in the Netherlands where it is possible to test new technologies and products before moving on to the investment phase. The session will be in English.
Perseverance Rover - Landed on Mars!
Opening doors to the future! Perseverance Rover has successfully landed on Mars. A whole range of raw materials was needed to make this landing successful. Perseverance wheels are made of aluminum, with traction clips and titanium curved spokes for elastic support. The legs are made of titanium tubes, by the same process used to produce frames for racing mountain bikes. Two rechargeable lithium-ion batteries to meet the peak demands of rover activities. And many others. Metals and minerals are irreplaceable in our past, present and future! - Euromines font
Horizon Europe Days
After the official launch of Horizonte Europa, ANI, in collaboration with the other agencies of the PERIN Network, will organize, from February 8 to 19, the Horizon Europe Days, dedicated to Pillar II (Global Challenges and Competitiveness of European Industry) and to Pillar III (Innovative Europe), which will take place in digital format.
Virtual Day @ INOVSTONE 4.0 -
Virtual Fair
On January 28, Virtual Day @ Inovstone 4.0 was held. Couldn't you attend the event? You can still visit the virtual fair - https://tecnicoevents.easyvirtualfair.com/ - and you can enjoy it until February 8th.
About 300 people have already visited the fair, so be the next!
Webinar | Drones and their application in the extractive industry
The Southern Regional Council of the College of Geological and Mining Engineering will promote, on the next 11th of February, at 6 pm, via the Zoom platform, a webinar under the theme "Drones and their application in the extractive industry".
Virtual Day @ INOVSTONE 4.0
The Seminar and the opening of the INOVSTONE 4.0 Fair for the presentation of results and the last moment / final event, that marks the closing of this Project, took place on the 28th January 2021.
The INOVSTONE 4.0 Virtual Fair will be available online until February 8th 2021.
On Tuesday 26th January, at 07:30 and 16:30 GMT we held virtual round table discussions on inclusion of Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) factors in reporting of mineral deposit estimates and exploration results globally.
Annual Cluster Conference 2020
The PORTUGALClusters Partnership together with IAPMEI, organized on December 11th, the National Cluster Meeting 2020 in webinar format. This Partnership brings together 18 Clusters, which aggregate more than 2100 entities. In the last 10 years, these Clusters have capitalized 206 million euros of investment in projects.
NEWS
Women break stone and project the industry in 130 markets
Four women have been printing their marks on Portuguese natural stone for almost two decades. Through the implementation of a new vision in the industry, with a focus on innovation, digitalization of processes, the environment, competitiveness, building brands to gain strength in foreign markets.
The sector was traditional and, it can be said, without fear, dominated by men. It was not a gender battle but a work that brought everyone together for the development of an extractive industry, based on trust, competence, knowledge and experience, bringing together the quality and beauty of the Alentejo marbles, the much appreciated limestones of Extremadura, slate (or shale) and granite, which are found in various regions of the country.
Digital Event - PortugalClusters Annual Session: "The role of Clusters in Dynamizing".
On the next 11th of December, the annual session of PORTUGALClusters will be held with the theme "THE ROLE OF CLUSTERS IN DYNAMIZING THE ECONOMY".
Book your digital place now at https://forms.gle/PfTtv1YgVfJzPvfz9
Cluster and INESC TEC organize online workshop on new industry challenges
The Cluster Portugal Mineral Resource Association and INESC TEC's Robotics and Autonomous Systems Center, with the support of EIT RawMaterials & TEC4SEA, joined forces to organize the online workshop "New Challenges in the Mineral Raw Materials Industry: Safety, Digitalization, Technology & Innovation ". This event, which takes place on November 12, aims to boost the mineral resources community in general, strengthen networks, demonstrate the importance of mineral resources in our daily lives and redefine future strategies.
Mineral Resources Cluster creates Advisory Council
Mineral Resources Cluster creates Advisory Council
The Board of Directors of the Cluster Portugal Mineral Resources Association approved the creation of an Advisory Board to support and discuss the Cluster Strategy.
In this sense, several personalities were invited, whose curricula and areas of activity constitute an asset for the objectives and ambitions of the Mineral Resources Cluster.
This Council will meet regularly, and the first meeting is expected soon to discuss the 2030 strategy of the cluster. Initially, it will consist of the following members: Adriano Barros; António Costa e Silva; António Mateus; Carlos Caxaria; Carlos Lagoa; Fernando Noronha; Luís Amado; Miguel Goulão and Pedro Santos (representing Quercus).
Cluster joins the European Alliance for Raw Materials
On September 29, the European Commission, represented by Vice-President Sefcovic, launched the European Raw Materials Alliance - European Raw Materials Alliance (ERMA). The new Alliance was established due to the recognition of the critical importance of raw materials for the EU's security, sustainability and industrial leadership. It was recognized that to achieve environmental ambitions, digital transition and future leadership in technological terms, there will be a significant increase in demand and consumption for critical raw materials.
The European Alliance for Raw Materials intends to identify barriers, opportunities and investment possibilities for European training at all stages of the raw materials value chain, from mining and exploration to waste recovery.
As a first step, the Alliance will primarily focus on increasing European resilience in the rare earth and permanent magnet value chains, as these are vital to most industrial ecosystems in Europe, in particular for the growth of electric mobility, storage of energy and wind turbines. In a second phase, it should expand its action to other topics related to the needs of basic metals and others, essential for energy storage and conversion.
Cluster is a founding member of the Alliance for the European Circular Economy
The Alliance for the Circular Economy is part of the Action Plan for the Circular Economy launched by the European Commission in March 2020. This plan integrates initiatives transversal to the life cycle of products, promoting circular processes, sustainable consumption and the maintenance of resources as long as possible in the European economy. Circularity and efficiency in the use of resources are seen by the EU as a prerequisite for climate neutrality, in alignment with the Green Deal and the European industrial strategy.
The Alliance's ambition is to help implement the Circular Economy Action Plan by accelerating the development of cutting-edge solutions. In this context, the two major ambitions of the Alliance are:
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Create conditions for the success of business projects and encourage the emergence of innovative investment projects - new solutions, technologies, business models that can be developed and implemented in the market;
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Create a favorable environment for the development of norms, standards and other practices that contribute to guarantee an effective adaptation of circular economy policies to the reality of the industry.
The Alliance is composed of intermediary organizations (clusters, industrial parks ...) with the capacity to lead and join efforts in the adoption and implementation of the economic solutions recommended for the circular economy of the future.
The CTeSP course on Management and Advanced Technologies in Mineral Resources at the Polytechnic of Leiria opens doors to the digital transition of companies
With 12 students already enrolled and 3 placed in the 3rd phase, this course represents a decisive initiative for the qualification of human resources and for the digital transition of organizations in the sector. The importance of this type of educational initiative is even more evident in the light of the study “Impact of Digital Technologies on Productivity and Exports in the Portuguese Ornamental Stones Sector”, published in June 2020. This study concludes that the investment of 1 € in qualification and digitalization can provide a return for companies in the sector, in the first 5 years, between 5 € and 12.5 € for each euro invested.
The enrolled students are already mostly integrated in companies in the sector of mineral resources with the expectation of improving their skills and knowledge, and thus contribute to the technological, economic and social evolution of the companies in which they are currently collaborators.
This course will enable you to acquire skills in the operation of special equipment, in planning and executing manufacturing, in technological improvement and development, as well as in transmitting notions of relationship with customers and suppliers, of operations management and of hygiene and safety, in a context of sustainability. It is a unique course at national level, based on a collaborative network that involves entrepreneurs, business associations and municipalities, from a perspective of regional development and international projection.
European associations send an open letter to the European Commission
In response to the European Commission's recent positions on critical raw materials, several European associations sent an open letter on 5 October to Vice-President Maros Sefcovic.
In this letter, the associations Cerame-Unie, Eurogypsum, Euromines, Euroroc, EUSALT and IMA Europe list the arguments that contribute to the joint position to welcome and encourage both the Action Plan for Critical Raw Materials and the launch of the European Alliance for Raw Materials (ERMA). The availability of signatory associations to support, within the scope of their competences, the implementation of the referred action plan is also reaffirmed.
Workshop IV of the EXPLORA - ONLINE project Theme: Neves-Corvo near Mining exploration scenarios - October 27, 2020.
Within the scope of the EXPLORA project, Workshop IV of the EXPLORA project was held on October 27 with the theme "Neves-Corvo near Mining exploration scenarios". This workshop corresponded to the closure of the activities of the referred project and was carried out in a virtual format.
The workshop presented the new special volume of Geological Communications dedicated to the Iberian Pyrite Belt as well as the new metallogenetic charts 1/200 000 from the south of the country (pages 5, 6, 7 and 8). A presentation was made by Somincor / Lundin Mining about their mining project. The EXPLORA team also presented some of the main results of their investigation.
Workshop participants were entitled to a special volume of Geological Communications and to the 4 thematic maps of the Minas Gerais region of Neves-Corvo (Geological-Mine Chart, Gravimetric Chart, Magnetic Chart and Radiometric Chart).
Online PME Digital Project Closing Event - October 28th between 10am and 12pm
Cluster Portugal Mineral Resources is one of the partners of the PME Digital project. The project aims to train, provide information and increase the entrepreneurial skills of SMEs for digital transformation, fostering the acceleration of the Portuguese Economy towards a Digital Economy.
Over two years, this project has been a catalyst to empower, provide information and increase the entrepreneurial skills of SMEs, encouraging digital transformation and the acceleration of the Portuguese Economy for a Digital Economy.
Best practices, case studies, assessment tools, clarification and debate events, targeted training, digital solutions and an aggregating portal. These are the main results.
At the end of this first cycle of the project, it is worth evaluating it, realizing the lessons learned, measuring the contributions, reflecting on how to do even better thinking also in this current context of Pandemic.
LINE OF MARBLE is a dissemination program that consists of creating products and functional objects for daily use that meet the needs of contemporary life
Using Alentejo marble as the main material and designed by nine national and foreign design and architecture studios, LINE OF MARBLE will be unveiled in the next edition of Milan Design Week, scheduled to open on April 12, 2021.
Until the opening date of Milan Design Week, follow our social networks, in which there will be several publications that preview the event, giving focus to Designers, Materials and Companies involved in this challenge.
Project co-financed from ALENTEJO 2020, Portugal 2020 and the European Union through the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF).
"New mine law": what now? - Opinion article in Público
Important opinion article for the sector with the collaboration of the President of the Cluster.
"The Government's proposal assumes, in a simplistic and unfounded way, the vox populi view of this sector, neglecting the consolidated advances in the last decades in the fields of prospecting and mineral exploration, mitigating environmental impacts and expanding social responsibility actions."
To read the full article click on the button below.
Cluster Administrator is elected President of APG
Following the Electoral Assembly of the Portuguese Association of Geologists (APG), which took place on 26 June, the current member of the board of directors of the Cluster of Mineral Resources of Portugal, Luís Lopes, was elected President of APG for the 2020-2022 biennium .
The professor at the University of Évora was also included in the list A that won the elections and whose plan of activities is based on two main objectives:
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Create an even more professional APG structure and prepare for the creation of the “Order of Geologists”;
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Increase the public visibility of the geologist profession and its specific skills to solve the challenges that Portuguese society faces.
At a time when he assumed his mandate and faced with regulatory proposals for the development and exploration of mineral resources, Luís Lopes gave an interview to Público on 11 August in which he presented his point of view on the topic.
Reviving project starts in October with the participation of the Mineral Resources Cluster
The Reviving project, of which the Cluster is a part and will play a relevant role, is a European project approved by the ERAMIN 2 program for international cooperation. This program promotes research and innovation in non-energy and non-agricultural raw materials to strengthen the competitiveness of the industry and change to the circular economy.
The objective of the REVIVING project is to obtain improved models for an efficient recycling of metals from mine waste, based, for the first time, on native rejects, microbiome manipulation, using molecular data to promote bacterial populations of bioleaching and hydrometallurgy, through of an innovative methodology using negative pressure.
The Reviving project will run from October 1, 2020 to September 30, 2023 and involves a consortium of 8 partners: 4 entities from Portugal, 3 from Romania and 1 from France.
Cluster is co-promoter of two Mobilizing Projects
Mobilizing Projects are strategic R&D projects approved by the National Innovation Agency that aim to create new products, processes or services with a high technological and innovation content, that contribute to their value chain and are configured as dynamizing capacities and scientific and technological skills. These projects aim to induce significant impacts at the multisectoral level, namely allowing the endogenization and exploitation of the developed technologies.
In particular, the following projects are underway:
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The InovMineral 4.0 consortium, which is part of the Cluster Portugal Mineral Resources, is an extension of the already started InovStone 4.0 project of Pedra Natural and covers the entire value chain of Mineral Resources, including the new thematic areas of Circular Economy, Digitization of Collaborative Processes and dynamization and creation of competences.
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The Digital Construction Revolution consortium, of the Cluster AEC, REV @ CONSTRUCTION, aims at the Digital Construction Revolution based on the sector's need to achieve gains in productivity and sustainable growth, which can leverage its competitiveness in Portugal and at European and Global level . The project brings together a broad consortium of 24 entities, composed of 15 companies (Teixeira Duarte, BIMMS, Casais, IP, Increase Estimate, Engexport, IPQ, A400, Mota-Engil, 3MAPS, OUZO, COBA, FASE, Adão Da Fonseca and Contacto Atlântico), 2 non-profit business associations (Cluster AEC and Cluster Portugal Mineral Resources Association) and 7 non-business entities (INESC-TEC, UM, LNEC, IST, FEUP, IC and ISEL).
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Biorecover Project launches campaign to publicize the importance of Critical Raw Materials
The European consortium Biorecover decided to launch an awareness campaign on the role of Critical Raw Materials (MPC) in the daily lives of European citizens, as well as on its importance for the sustainability of the Economy and potential risks in terms of supply. The European Union is highly dependent on these types of minerals, which are essential for its growth and competitiveness, but which represent important challenges in terms of their availability and extraction.
The Biorecover project aims to develop an innovative sustainable strategy for the recovery of MPCs from primary and secondary sources. The MPCs with which the project works have been grouped into three categories: rare earth minerals, magnesium and platinoids.
Tax measures to support micro, small and medium-sized enterprises - COVID-19
Law no. 29/2020 was published on July 31 and Law no. 29/2020 came into force, with the objective of implementing fiscal measures to support micro, small and medium-sized companies in the framework of the response to the new SRAS-CoV-2 coronavirus and to COVID-19 disease.
The 6 articles that make up the law implement the following measures:
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Temporary suspension of payment on behalf of the IRC;
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Possibility of reimbursement of the part of the special payment on account that has not been deducted, as of the first following tax period;
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A maximum period for the effective refund of VAT, IRC and IRS when the result of withholding payments on account or settlements is greater than the tax due.
European Commission Announces Action Plan for Critical Raw Materials
At the beginning of September, the European Commission presented the action plan for Critical Raw Materials. This plan aims to respond to current and future challenges and proposes actions to reduce Europe's dependence on third countries, by diversifying the supply of primary and secondary sources, as well as improving efficiency and circularity.
The list of Critical Raw Materials has also been updated with 4 new raw materials, in order to reflect its importance in the evolution of economic and industrial changes, now totaling 30. In particular, the inclusion of lithium, which is essential in the transition, stands out. for electric mobility and energy storage.
In this context, the Vice-President of the European Commission, Maros Sefcovic, defended the exploitation of lithium in Portugal, calling for dialogue with the communities involved.
Mine the Gap project kicks off in September
ACPMR will integrate the European Mine the Gap project that will start in September of this year 2020.
The project, which has over 10 organizations from Spain, France, Italy Germany, Poland, Bulgaria and Finland, consists of creating and integrating new value chains in SMEs in the Mineral Resources and mining sector through information and communication technologies , circular economy and support for efficient management of production processes.
In fact, our society is not aware of the importance of mineral raw materials and comes to have a negative view on the concept of mining, strongly related to the use of outdated and less environmentally friendly methods and technologies. This is particularly relevant for SMEs, which are unable to keep pace with large companies and therefore suffer from a lack of innovation, intersectoral fertilization and the potential for disruption. The Mine the Gap project arises, precisely to support SMEs to promote and accelerate investments to develop their capacity for innovation and to have a support platform for the strengthening of their existing value chains and the development of new industrial value chains, through intersectoral and regional innovation and support services within the cluster.
The basic consortium of the project is composed of 9 Clusters, 1 RTO and 1 Association of 9 regions and 7 European countries representing more than 500 SMEs. The project aims to develop a management structure, methodologies and strategies, including direct financial support to SMEs, additional services to support companies and access to new investments.
Cluster participates in European initiative for circular economy
The Mineral Resources Cluster was invited to create the European Alliance for Cross-Industrial Circular Economy Investment. This Alliance intends to create a pipeline of investment in circular economy projects, taking into account the climate crisis and the potential economic opportunities offered by the circularity applied to our industry. There is already a wide range of research and evidence-based analysis that has enabled the first foundations of the circular economy to be established, and the purpose of the Alliance is to make these projects happen. The challenge, therefore, is to unlock investments for the circular economy.
The Alliance is, at this stage, preparing a strategy for action that is based on two fundamental principles:
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Support circular economy projects and promote initiatives so that they can achieve success in terms of the market;
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Create the appropriate frameworks so that projects can be implemented, with the necessary adaptations to the reality and policies of the circular industrial economy
The presence of the Portuguese Cluster will ensure the transfer of know-how to the national business sector and take advantage of opportunities to develop international projects in this area.
Strategy for the next decade
The Mineral Resources Cluster has increased its membership base by 11% since the beginning of the year. It is another important recognition of the work that is developed in favor of the sector. It is also worth noting that since the beginning of the year and until 15 July, the Cluster supported the development of 6 applications in consortium to the Incentive System - Research and Technological Development (SI I&DT) in co-promotion.
Finally, realize that the Cluster is working on the design of the 2021-2027 Strategy, based on founding documents such as the European Green Deal, which, in essence, indicate some fundamental axes for the future of the development of the European economy: the transition to an even more digital economy; in the European industrial strategy; and in the regions' smart specialization strategies. Soon, the Cluster will provide more information on this process, as it will be necessary for all members and some key stakeholders in the sector to participate.
© 2020 by Associação Cluster Portugal Mineral Resources
