ISMC Strengthens Its Presence at Raw Materials Week 2025 with Strategic Engagements and European Innovation Projects
The Iberian Sustainable Mining Cluster (ISMC) played a significant role at Raw Materials Week 2025, one of the most influential annual events in Europe for the raw materials value chain. With the participation of our General Manager, Santiago Cuesta López, and several members of the ISMC team, the cluster contributed to discussions that are shaping the future of sustainable mining, critical raw materials (CRM), and European industrial resilience.
Throughout the week, ISMC joined multiple high-level events, technical sessions and strategic dialogues, reinforcing our mission to foster a competitive, innovative and responsible raw materials ecosystem across Europe.
Institutional Engagement at the European Parliament and OECD–European Commission Dialogues
ISMC took part in key institutional discussions that highlighted the importance of responsible sourcing, governance and social acceptance in the mining sector.
At the European Parliament, ISMC participated in the side event “Navigating the Energy Transition: Affordable, Renewable, and Secure – Backing the Critical Raw Materials Act to Reinforce EU Strategic Autonomy”, hosted by MEP Nicolás González Casares. The debate explored how critical raw materials underpin Europe’s renewable energy and industrial ambitions, emphasising the need for sustainable and secure value chains.
ISMC also attended the OECD–European Commission session “Subnational conditions to advance responsible EU mineral projects: Lessons from OECD mining regions”, an important dialogue focused on governance, regional competitiveness and the role of local ecosystems in accelerating responsible mineral development across Europe.

Showcasing Horizon Europe and EU Innovation Projects
A central part of ISMC’s presence during Raw Materials Week 2025 was the representation of several European R&I projects coordinated or supported by the cluster. These initiatives reflect the ongoing transformation of the raw materials sector and the crucial role of digital technologies, circularity and environmental management.
ISMC showcased progress from the following projects:
DEXPLORE – Deep-land critical raw materials exploration
TERRAVISION – Digital monitoring and Earth Observation for tailings safety
GAIA-TSF – Technologies for sustainable tailings facility management
NEO-CYCLE – Circularity and recycling of strategic materials
RESILEX – Resilient value chains for silicon and specialised materials
MaDiTraCe – Traceability and digital certification tools for mining supply chains
- EMRIE: Strengthening regional innovation ecosystems to support a sustainable supply of critical raw materials and circular economy approaches in European mining regions.

These projects demonstrate advances in exploration technologies, mine site monitoring, circular and sustainable extraction, traceability, and digital systems designed to reinforce Europe’s strategic autonomy.
Contributing to Europe’s Long-Term Strategy for Responsible Mining
From debates on strategic autonomy, responsible mining, digital innovation, and community engagement, ISMC contributed to shaping the policy, technological and territorial agendas that will guide Europe’s raw materials sector in the years ahead.
Our involvement reflects not only the strength of our ecosystem but also the growing importance of the Iberian region as a strategic contributor to Europe’s supply of critical raw materials.
ISMC Team Representing the Cluster in Brussels
ISMC’s participation was made possible thanks to the work and dedication of our team members attending Raw Materials Week 2025:
Laura Quijano, Patricia Núñez, Alicia García, María Fernández, Diego Lozano, David Sanjuan, and Clara Balbín.
Their presence ensured that ISMC remained actively involved in institutional debates, innovation sessions and strategic networking opportunities throughout the week.


