ISMC Takes Part in the Kick-Off Meeting of the European Project EMRIE in Castro Verde, Portugal
The Iberian Sustainable Mining Cluster (ISMC) participated in the Kick-Off Meeting of the European project EMRIE (Enhancing the Mining Regions for Industrial Ecosystems), held on 6–7 May in Castro Verde, in Portugal’s Alentejo region. This key event marks the official launch of an ambitious initiative supporting the EU Critical Raw Materials Act, aimed at strengthening the resilience and sustainability of Europe’s critical raw materials supply.
Coordinated by the Comissão de Coordenação e Desenvolvimento Regional do Alentejo, I.P. (CCDR Alentejo), EMRIE brings together a high-level European consortium committed to sustainable regional development and circular economy practices within the mining sector.
Day 1: Strategic Vision and Project Objectives
The first day of the meeting focused on introducing the project’s strategic objectives and fostering collaboration among partners. Key topics included responsible resource management, enhanced recycling and domestic sourcing of critical raw materials, and the promotion of circular economy principles.
Representing ISMC at the event were María Fernández Reyes and Francisco J. Luque-Ruiz, joined by Kristiina Jokelainen, whose technical and strategic insight enriched the discussions.
Day 2: Visit to the Historic São Domingos Mine, Iberian Pyrite Belt
The second day featured a site visit to the historic São Domingos Mine, a former open-pit mine located within the Iberian Pyrite Belt, once a major source of copper, sulphur, zinc, lead, gold, and silver.
Today, this disused mining site serves as a powerful reminder of Europe’s mining heritage and a platform for exploring opportunities in environmental restoration, heritage preservation, and circular economy transformation. The visit offered a valuable opportunity for project partners to reflect on how to repurpose former mining landscapes for regional benefit.
A Shared Commitment to Sustainable and Innovative Mining
EMRIE brings together a robust consortium of public and academic institutions from across Europe:
Comissão de Coordenação e Desenvolvimento Regional do Alentejo, Associação Cluster Portugal Mineral Resources, Junta de Andalucía – Ministry of Industry, Energy and Mines, Kainuun liitto, Iberian Sustainable Mining Cluster (ISMC), Marshal’s Office of Lower Silesian Voivodeship, Wrocław University of Science and Technology, Örebro University, Lviv Regional State/Military Administration, Dnipro University of Technology, National Technical University of Athens, with the support of Interreg Europe.
At ISMC, we are proud to contribute to this strategic European initiative and reaffirm our commitment to building a more innovative, sustainable, and resilient mining ecosystem, aligned with the EU’s long-term goals for critical raw materials and regional development.