The Horizon Europe projects DigiEcoQuarry, ROTATE, and SCIMIN-CRM, led by ANEFA and funded by the European Commission, have joined forces to support the development of a new educational poster series to promote public understanding of the essential role of mineral raw materials in modern society and in Europe’s green and digital transitions.
Developed by the team of these projects in collaboration with the Spanish Fundación Minería y Vida (Mining and Life Foundation), the collection has been created as an outreach and educational resource for schools, exhibitions, conferences, and public engagement activities, helping to communicate the importance of the mineral raw materials sector in a clear, visual, and accessible way.
The poster series explores the entire mineral raw materials value chain and addresses a wide range of topics, including: the importance of mineral raw materials in everyday life; geological resources; mine rehabilitation and environmental restoration; circular economy and mineral recycling; biodiversity conservation and responsible resource management; climate neutrality and the energy transition; Corporate Social Responsibility and ESG principles; digitalisation, automation, and Mining 4.0 technologies or career opportunities in the mineral raw materials sector.
Beyond technological innovation, Horizon Europe projects also play an important role in increasing societal awareness of the strategic importance of raw materials and fostering dialogue between industry, research, policymakers, and citizens.
The three projects share a common commitment to supporting a more sustainable, innovative, and resilient mineral raw materials sector. By contributing to educational initiatives such as this poster series, the projects help communicate how responsible mining, advanced technologies, and circular economy approaches are shaping the future of Europe’s raw materials value chain.
Mineral raw materials are indispensable for manufacturing the technologies that enable modern life—from renewable energy systems, electric vehicles and batteries to medical equipment, digital devices and communication infrastructure. Ensuring their sustainable supply is therefore fundamental to achieving the objectives of the European Green Deal and strengthening Europe’s strategic autonomy.
This initiative demonstrates how Horizon Europe projects can generate value beyond research by producing educational resources that bridge the gap between science and society, inspire future generations, and promote a better understanding of the sector’s contribution to sustainable development.
The posters are available, and downloadable, in English at our official Flickr account and are intended to support educational and outreach activities across Europe, encouraging informed discussions about the critical role of mineral raw materials in building a more sustainable future.
