ISMC Debates the Future of Lithium and Sustainable Mining in Oviedo

October 31, 2025November 3, 2025EventsISMC-Iberiamine

ISMC debate el futuro del litio y la minería sostenible en Oviedo

The Cluster for Sustainable Mining of the Iberian Peninsula (ISMC) took part in the colloquium “Breakfast with Science: Lithium, its Need and Supply Strategy”, held at the Faculty of Geology of the University of Oviedo as part of the European project Li4Life.

The meeting brought together experts, researchers and institutions to discuss the technological, social and geopolitical challenges surrounding lithium — a strategic resource for the energy transition and Europe’s industrial autonomy.

Innovation and Sustainability in the Lithium Value Chain

Throughout the session, key topics were addressed, including the industrial feasibility of new lithium extraction and processing technologies, its role in power generation and nuclear fusion, and the geopolitical challenges linked to critical raw materials.

The colloquium was moderated by Dr Juan María Menéndez Aguado, Professor at the University of Oviedo, and featured contributions from Dr Begoña Fernández Pérez, Dr Roberto Iglesias Pastrana, and Dr Dr H.C. Santiago Cuesta López, Director-General of ISMC and the ICAMCYL Foundation.

Dr Cuesta López highlighted the role of innovation and regional cooperation as drivers of sustainable technology development for the utilisation of European resources, stressing the need to strengthen a responsible and circular mining industry.

European Collaboration through the Li4Life Project

The Li4Life project, funded by the European Union through the CINEA agency, aims to promote the recovery, recycling and sustainable valorisation of lithium throughout its life cycle. In doing so, it contributes to building a more resilient, competitive and Green Deal–aligned European supply chain.

Representing ISMC, Patricia Núñez Cortés presented the S3P strategy for the utilisation of endogenous resources in European regions, reinforcing the importance of collaboration between science, industry and public administrations.

ISMC’s Commitment to Sustainable Mining

Through initiatives such as this, the ISMC Cluster reaffirms its commitment to sustainable mining, technological innovation and the formation of regional alliances that foster the sector’s competitiveness.

Founded in 2018, ISMC has headquarters in León and Seville, and brings together more than 80 organisations — including companies, technology centres and public bodies — working towards responsible, circular mining aligned with Europe’s sustainability goals.

ISMC debate el futuro del litio y la minería sostenible en Oviedo

Innovation and Sustainability in the Lithium Value Chain

European Collaboration through the Li4Life Project

ISMC’s Commitment to Sustainable Mining

COMPANIES

Technology Metals Europe S.L

COMPANIES

Seguridad y Calidad Mineroambiental S.L

Engineering and technical assistance company that develops projects, offers advice, training and research in the field of mining, environment and occupational risk prevention.

COMPANIES

Saloro S.L

COMPANIES

Cualificados S.L

Consulting, training and education services for companies and workforce, particularly for the mining and public works sectors, as well as for the public administration.

COMPANIES

Pizarras La Baña S.A.

COMPANIES

Pizarras Matacouta, S.A.

PIZARRAS MATACOUTA, S.A. The best natural slate since 1978. We are an industry specialized in cutting, carving and finishing natural stone. Pizarras Matacouta is a reference throughout Europe where it exports 95% of its exclusive product.

COMPANIES

Perforaciones Noroeste S.A

Service company dedicated to the execution of all types of drilling and blasting projects, both in the field of mining and quarrying and in civil works of public or private initiative.

COMPANIES

Peal Hispania S.A.U

Service company dedicated to the execution of all types of drilling and blasting projects, both in the field of mining and quarrying and in civil works of public or private initiative

COMPANIES

Pasek Minerales

PASEK MINERALS is a company dedicated to mining exploitation belonging to the PASEK Group, since 1972, it has an open-pit exploitation in the area of the Geological Complex of Cabo Ortegal (Galicia), dedicated to the exploitation of the Dunita mineral (Magnesium Silicate)

COMPANIES

Partindus S.L.

Manufacturer and exporter of civil engineering and mining machinery. One of the largest exporters of construction, tunnels and mining machinery.

COMPANIES

Mining Sense Global S.L.

Consulting for mineral resources; specialised advice on project planning, economic models and strategic decisions.

COMPANIES

Magellan Barents, S.L.

COMPANIES

Lurpelan Tunnelling S.L

Design, calculation and construction of underground infrastructure, as well as execution of all kinds of blasting projects. Participation in large strategic infrastructure projects.

COMPANIES

Lain Technologies, S.L

COMPANIES

Leonore Development S.L

Development and commercialisation of mining and trading projects for minerals, metals and products specialised in industrial metals, mainly iron.

COMPANIES

Kronergy

COMPANIES

Javier Madera García (Staub Ingeniería)

Consulting firm specialised in occupational risk prevention solutions. Among its customers are relevant national companies in several industrial sectors.

COMPANIES

IP Contrl S.L

firm for the mining safety administration and authorized control body for the inspection of mining waste facilities and rehabilitation of affected areas.

COLLABORATING ENTITIES

Instituto para la Competitividad Empresarialde Castilla y León

Institute attached to the Department of Economy and Finance of the Regional Government of Castilla y León focused on promoting the economic development and productivity of the region.

COMPANIES

Inproobras S.L

Inproobrasoffers specialised technical services to both public administrations and private companies in mining, environment, public works and safety.

COMPANIES

Ingeniería y Seguridad Minera de Baleares, S.L

Somos una empresa dedicada principalmente a la ingeniería y seguridad en minería, conformada por tres ingenieros que trabajan de manera coordinada y sinérgica, lo que permite incrementar el potencial de la empresa con el aporte diferenciado de cada miembro que la conforma.

COMPANIES

Hormigones del Sella, S.L

Belonging to the Candesa Group, we are one of the main groups dedicated to non-metallic open pit mining and its derivatives, with a powerful presence in the north-western quadrant of the Iberian Peninsula.

COMPANIES

GrupoHedisa Cor S.L

Business group whose industrial activity is oriented to two business units: the natural stone and construction sector, and engineering and manufacturing.

Collaborating entities

Grupode Investigación TEP222de la Universidad de Jaén

Research group belonging to the University of Jaén whose main lines of research are advanced materials, construction materials, geological-mining heritage, materials engineering and innovation.

COMPANIES

Global de Asesoramiento y Aplicación Técnica, S.L

COMPANIES

Gevora Construcciones, S.A

GÉVORA is an activity oriented towards the construction of infrastructure, renewable energy projects, solid waste, water purification and treatment as well as the conservation and exploitation of large quarries.

COMPANIES

Gesminle S.L

Consulting, technical and legal assistance in mining, public works, special blasting and construction, both for public administrations and private companies.

COMPANIES

Geotecform

Instituto para la Competitividad Empresarial
de Castilla y León

Ingeniería
y Seguridad Minera
de Baleares, S.L

Grupo
Hedisa Cor S.L

Grupo
de Investigación TEP222
de la Universidad de Jaén

Global de Asesoramiento
y Aplicación Técnica, S.L

Escuela Politécnica Superior
de Ingeniería
de Manresa

Equipos para minería
y construcciones S.A

Confederación Nacional
de Empresarios
de la Minería
y la Metalurgia

Colegio Oficial
de Ingenieros
de Minas del Centro de España

Cinclus Soluciones
S.L