Minerals Policy Guidance for Europe

In this edition:

• 3rd Policy Lab 18-19 May in Luleå, Sweden
• Sneak preview of the new version of MIN-GUIDE website
• Innovation in Waste management and Mine closure
• Results of the 2nd Policy Laboratory on innovative Exploration and Extraction
• News: Introducing the new Raw Materials Information System and the REMIX project
• Upcoming events: European Minerals Day, EU Raw Materials Week and International ESEE Mining School

The third MIN-GUIDE Policy Laboratory Workshop entitled “Innovations and Supporting Policies for Mineral and Metallurgical Processing” aims to provide an overview of and reflect upon innovation examples in mineral processing, metallurgical processing, recycling and handling of processing rejects and how they link to policy in the EU Member States. The Policy Laboratory format, designed by MIN-GUIDE partners, engages participants from policy, industry, Geological Surveys, and research in an intensive and interactive exchange. This allows the participants to hands-on learn from good practice cases, to explore transferability in different contexts and to reflect upon future policy needs.

Finally, the outcome of the third Policy Laboratory will contribute to further develop the Online Minerals Policy Guide. More information about the Policy Laboratory can also be found on the MIN-GUIDE website or write an email to policylab@min-guide.eu

Registration is open until May 10th. Send an email to mineralteknik2017@ltu.se

After listening to stakeholders' comments we are almost ready to launch the new version of the website. We considered various options on how to make the website more user-friendly and appealing to the final user. Since we do not want to spoil the surprise, we would like to share only a few new features before the official launch in the second half of May.

User-friendly search tool: behind every good database is an effective search tool. Quickly find mineral and related policies in Europe sorted by country, instrument type, impact on the mining value chain and innovation impact.

Innovation cases: industrial innovation cases and their link to national policy frameworks presented in a trendy and colourful fashion. Easy to consult and share, the innovation cases will soon be available online for consultation.

New design: an easy-to-use interactive map, along with a more refined layout featuring elegant colours and a simple and modern structure that stays true to the visual identity of the project.

In April 2017 MIN-GUIDE published a project report on innovation within Waste Management and Mine Closure. This included an overview of innovation processes relevant to this part of the value chain, as well as an analysis of the innovation system including a list of recent industry innovation cases on waste management and mine closure practices. From an extensive list of innovations within the sector along with an overview of relevant policies and legislation, specific innovation cases will be selected for further scrutiny, including categorisation according to innovation type and link to specific policies. The results will be presented at the 4th MIN-GUIDE Policy Laboratory Workshop.          

An important finding was that most innovations within this segment of the value chain have mainly impacts in the environmental and social sphere: Sound waste Management, valorisation of wastes into added value products and introduction of innovative technologies is apparent to lead to better environmental conditions in mining operations with subsequent benefits to social acceptance.

More than 50 participants from all across Europe took part in the 2nd MIN-GUIDE Policy Laboratory Workshop: Innovations and supporting policies for minerals exploration and extraction that took place in Leoben (Austria) on March 21-22, 2017.

This MIN-GUIDE Policy Laboratory was the second in a series of stakeholder workshops organized in the MIN-GUIDE project. The main objective of Policy Laboratory 2 was to provide an overview of, and reflect upon, innovation and supporting policies in minerals exploration and extraction, including deep sea mining. Consequently, the workshop had a two-fold approach: informing participants about the most recent progress and steps in the development of the MIN-GUIDE online Minerals Policy Guide, and to facilitate an exchange and learning on recent innovations and their link to policy.

All the materials of the event (including key-note speaker presentations and workshop report) are now available online.

This project has received funding from the European Union's Horizon 2020 innovation and research programme under agreement No. 689527

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