SCIMIN – CRM (Sustainable & Circular Production of Mineral Critical Raw Materials) is already up and running. We have just had our first, and most exciting, global meeting in Oviedo, Spain. Partners from ten different countries (Sweden, Austria, Serbia, Spain, Cyprus, France, Bosnia Herzegovina, Finland, Netherlands, and Switzerland) and 21 institutions gathered this week to launch a new project to transform the extractive industry into a sustainable activity. The project, led by ANEFA and funded by the European Commission, will focus on developing sustainable mining practices, promoting circular economy principles, and securing Europe’s supply of critical raw materials.

María Nieves Roqueñí, Councillor of the Regional Ministry of Ecological Transition, Industry and Economic Development, from the Spanish regional government of Asturias, opened the event with a speech in which she stated that: “This important European project focuses on the need for Europe to respond to the demand for critical raw materials for the development of our industry. A project highlighting the importance of having raw materials from mining or circular raw materials from waste recovery to provide us with industrial and energy sovereignty.”

Also in her words: “The project aims to address a crucial shift in our economic model. It seeks to: transform the extractive industry, making it more sustainable economically, socially, and environmentally; strengthen European autonomy, ensuring a reliable supply of raw materials for consumer goods production. Support ecological transition, providing the necessary resources to achieve a greener and better future”.

Each partner, only one of them had to participate online, had the opportunity to explain their main areas of expertise, their role in the project, and their goals for the future: innovation, certification, machinery, biodiversity, technology…  SCIMIN – CRM’s main goal is to address the growing demand for essential minerals and reduce Europe’s reliance on foreign sources. Critical raw minerals are essential for various industries, including technology, renewable energy, and transportation. Europe currently depends heavily on other countries for these materials, which can pose risks to supply chains and economic stability. SCIMIN – CRM aims to promote sustainable and circular production methods to minimize environmental impact.

On the second day, the whole team visited one of the pilots involved in the project, a fluorite mining operation and process plant located near the town of Ribadesella in Asturias, Spain, managed by Minersa named Mina Ana. We had the chance to know first-hand the special needs and possibilities of this mining operation, as well as the important role that SCIMIN – CRM will play in making it more efficient, sustainable, and useful.