ISMC Strengthens Alliances and International Visibility at the EIT RawMaterials Summit 2026
The Iberian Peninsula Sustainable Mining Cluster (ISMC) actively participated in the EIT RawMaterials Summit 2026, held in Brussels from 19 to 21 May, one of Europe’s leading events for the critical raw materials sector, industrial innovation, and the transition towards more sustainable and resilient value chains.
A Strategic Event for the Future of Raw Materials in Europe
Organised by EIT RawMaterials, the event brought together European institutional representatives, industry leaders, technology centres, universities, start-ups, and innovation projects to discuss Europe’s strategic future in the field of raw materials and industrial autonomy.
The opening session featured prominent figures from the European raw materials ecosystem, including Bernd Schäfer, alongside representatives of the European Commission and key stakeholders from the mining and technology industries.
Representing ISMC at the event were Patricia Núñez Cortés, Laura Quijano, Alicia García, María Fernández, Josep Marí Cervera, and David Sanjuan, who took part in a range of activities linked to both European projects and industrial and technological collaboration initiatives.
ISMC Participation in Strategic Summit Sessions
During the sessions held in Brussels, the ISMC team participated in several technical sessions and networking meetings aimed at fostering new collaboration opportunities and strengthening strategic alliances within the European ecosystem.
One of the highlights was attendance at the session entitled “Secondary Raw Materials for a Sustainable Thermoelectrics Ecosystem”, organised by START – HE PROJECT. During this session, the PERMANET project actively contributed to discussions on the role of secondary raw materials and sustainable solutions in the development of the European thermoelectric ecosystem.
The discussions emphasised the importance of advancing towards circular, sustainable, and technologically innovative models capable of ensuring the supply of critical raw materials in Europe.
MaDiTraCe PROJECT and Digital Traceability Solutions
ISMC was also present at the booth of the European project MaDiTraCe PROJECT, where our colleagues Alicia García López and María Fernández Reyes shared the project’s progress in traceability, digitalisation, and the Digital Product Passport with representatives from across Europe.
The project attracted considerable interest among attendees thanks to its proposals for improving transparency and traceability within critical raw materials value chains through innovative digital technologies.
Participation at the stand also enabled the establishment of new connections with industrial organisations, research centres, and European stakeholders interested in digital solutions applied to the mining and raw materials sector.
European Innovation for More Sustainable Mineral Exploration
Another key Summit session was “Reimagining Mineral Exploration: Digital, Sustainable & Responsible Solutions for Europe”, attended by Laura Quijano and Patricia Núñez Cortés on behalf of ISMC.
The session presented innovative approaches related to responsible mineral exploration, environmental monitoring, and the application of advanced digital technologies within the extractive sector.
Among the participating European projects were:
These initiatives showcased solutions based on artificial intelligence, Earth observation, advanced geochemistry, and mining tailings monitoring systems, demonstrating Europe’s strong commitment to a more sustainable, digital, and resilient mining industry.
Networking and New Collaboration Opportunities
Throughout the event, ISMC held various meetings and strategic discussions with partners and stakeholders from the European raw materials ecosystem, strengthening existing relationships and exploring future avenues for cooperation.
Among these engagements, exchanges with Xcalibur Smart Mapping and other organisations linked to mining innovation, geological exploration, and digital technologies applied to the sector were particularly noteworthy.
The Summit once again consolidated its position as a key platform for promoting dialogue between industry, research, and European institutions on strategic issues such as industrial autonomy, European competitiveness, and the development of sustainable value chains for critical raw materials.
ISMC’s Commitment to Innovation and European Cooperation
ISMC’s participation in the EIT RawMaterials Summit 2026 reaffirms the cluster’s commitment to innovation, international collaboration, and the promotion of European projects aimed at building a more sustainable, competitive, and technologically advanced raw materials sector.
Through its presence at strategic sessions, European projects, and networking activities, ISMC continues to strengthen its role as a key stakeholder within the European innovation ecosystem for critical raw materials.
