The new National Agenda, entitled “Discovering Industrial Tourism”, was officially presented at BTL – Lisbon Tourism Exchange, on February 28^th.

This guide, which includes activities from 49 partners from the Portuguese Industrial Tourism Network, is the result of the third edition of the initiative “Discovering Industrial Tourism”.

This initiative, which runs from March 16^th to 30^th 2024, guarantees a unique opportunity to discover places and experiences associated with the living industry and industrial heritage in Portugal. Through visits and direct activities, carried out in industrial spaces, the “Grupo Dinamizador da Rede Portuguesa do Turismo Industrial”- Portuguese Industrial Tourism Network Dynamic Group, aims to provide participants awareness for industry evolution, industry’s role in boosting the national economy, the existing new technologies, but also, telling our history and along our cultural identity.

The Portuguese Industrial Tourism Dynamic Group is an informal structure coordinated by Turismo de Portugal, in a venture between the 5 Regional Tourism Entities, the Regional Directorate of Tourism of the Azores, the Portuguese Association of Industrial Heritage, the Route of Mines and Points of Interest in Mining and Geology in Portugal, several private projects and representatives of 7 municipalities intrinsically linked to Portuguese industry.

The Agenda “Discovering Industrial Tourism” and other information about the activities can be accessed through the link: AGENDA TURISMO INDUSTRIAL 2024

Between March 3^rd and 6^th, EDM will participate in the 91^st PDAC Convention, considered the “Super Bowl” of the mineral and mining community.

A unique, annual event that brings scientists, companies and organizations together, through its most direct relationship with the prospecting and exploration sector.

This year, the Convention will have as a common thread the capacity for business innovation, balancing the values ​​of sustainability and environmental impact, along with the continuous need of resources prospection, as a response to the challenges of our planet, especially the energy transition.

In 2024, the PDAC Convention is expecting more than 30,000 participants, from more than 130 countries, for its exceptional face-to-face networking opportunity with potential partners, creating new opportunities for work investment and development in Portugal.

Since its beginning in 1932, the event has grown in size, stature, and influence, becoming one of the most important and impactful events in the mineral and mining industry. Today, it attracts more than 1,100 exhibitors hosting 700 speakers.

For more information, please visit PDAC CONVENTION

Urgeiriça Mine received a technical visit as part of the “Regional Training Course on prevention and mitigation methods for protection against radon exposure in buildings”, an event organized by the International Atomic Energy Agency.

This event, hosted by the Government of Portugal and co-organized by the Faculty of Science and Technology of the University of Coimbra between January 22^nd and 26^th, was exclusive to national and international professionals linked to radon monitoring, construction industry, regulatory authorities and research centres. The course allowed participants to gain skills in radon prevention and mitigation methodologies, as well as risk communication.

Exposure to radiation in buildings can and should be monitored and controlled. For this purpose, the safety standards of the International Atomic Energy Agency were presented during the course, generally used to implement preventive measures and corrective actions against radon exposure.

At the same time, it was possible for participants to update information on safety and quality protocols, radioactive materials, radon prevention and remediation projects in buildings, but also to acquire greater technical skills in risk communication and public involvement.

In the extensive program of presentations, EDM had the opportunity to participate with the theme “Urgeiriça Uranium Legacy Site and Buildings and Dwellings Remediation” and present the progressive development in this area, within the scope of the technical visit to the Former Mining Area of ​​Urgeiriça.

Among 43 participants, from 22 Member States, there was an opportunity to learn about the mining area, in addition to the entire environmental recovery intervention carried out in the region, contributing to the protection of the environment and the population.

A good national and international example in the remediation of former radioactive mining areas and in the mitigation of radon in buildings.

It was last Sunday that a visit to the Urgeiriça Mine took place, as a request of the 2CV Club from Mangualde.

With Carlos Martins and António Tuna supervision, and as part of a conviviality day organized by the 2CV group itself, Urgeiriça received visitors encouraging knowledge of the territory.

It was with some amazement and a lot of curiosity that most young and experienced participants, discovered the old mining site. For the visit leaders, this event is proof of how a large part of the population, often located in regions with a mining tradition, does not know the heritage they have “on their own doorstep”.

In a clear commitment, there is a need to also create a greater wealth of knowledge regarding industrial tourism. Even more so, if we talk about a sector that brings so much identity for Portugal as the mining industry, and which is an intrinsic part of the Route of Mines and Points of Mining and Geological Interest in Portugal.

Alongside the recognition of a territory that belongs to everyone, participants’ interest in the environmental recovery was equally visible during the visit. Once again, it is observed that environmental education is an important topic for citizens, as they can also follow the development of some projects, as long as there is a well-stablished and transparent communication between all parties involved.

The 9^th Radiation Protection Congress of the CPLP – Community of Portuguese Speaking Countries, will take place from December 11^th to the 15^th, in Coimbra.

The meeting, organized by the Portuguese Society for Radiation Protection and the Brazilian Society for Radiological Protection, will mainly focus on the biological effects of radiation, natural radioactivity, protection, management and safety, national and international regulations and policies, emergency planning and response, among other necessary topics to address in this context.

EDM-Empresa de Desenvolvimento Mineiro, S.A., will be present at this meeting, with the contribution of Edgar Carvalho on the 13^th, Wednesday.

With the presentation title “Environmental recovery of former mining areas in Portugal”, Edgar Carvalho will show to the audience, all the work carried out by the company over the last few years, within the scope of remediating national mining liabilities.

Three theoretic and theoretic-practical courses are also planned to be held during the 9^th Radiation Protection Congress, on which EDM will be represented by Carlos Martins, as one of the supervisors of the “Theoretical-Practical Course on Radon”.

This will be the third edition of a highly required and successful training, which will take place between the 13^th and 14^th December.

In addition to lectures, debates and courses, the program also includes two technical visits during the 5 days of work, one of them to Urgeiriça Mine, on Friday, December 15^th. The Urgeiriça Mine, whose recovery was carried out by EDM, starting in 2006 and ending in 2021, is a case that many want to learn about and analyse as a potential example for their own countries.

The 9^th CPLP Radiation Protection Congress will be held in the Central Auditorium of the Faculty of Science and Technology of the University of Coimbra.

The entire program can be accessed at the CPLP Radiation Protection Congress – 2023

The festivities in honour of Santa Bárbara, the Patron Saint of Mine Workers, will take place on December 4^th, in Urgeiriça.

The official program begins this Saturday the 2^nd, when the Former Uranium Mine Workers Youth Meeting will take place – with its own alignment of activities- and, during Sunday the 3^rd, with the anniversary celebration of the House Staff.

As for the traditional religious procession, it will take place on the 4^th, the same day as the Uranium Mining Family confraternization lunch.

The Festivities in Honour of Santa Bárbara in Urgeiriça, have the support of EDM – Empresa de Desenvolvimento Mineiro SA.

EDM participates in the 10th PROMETIA Scientific Seminar, held in Lisbon between the 28^th and 30^th November.

Catarina Diamantino and Frederico Martins represented EDM with the entitled presentation, “The role of EDM in the environmental remediation of old mining areas”, providing information on the best practices but also related challenges to environmental recovery carried out by the company. In addition, they also showed past examples of prospection works, EDM’s modus operandi for characterizing each site to be intervened, examples of already rehabilitated areas and research projects where the company participated and still contributes.

Presenting a rich program, the Scientific Seminar focused themes such as “Supply Risks of Raw Materials and Responsible Sources”, “Innovative R&D Projects for CRM Production” and “METNET Session and Pilot Activities”.

The PROMETIA group is a non-profit association based in Brussels that promotes innovation in mineral processing and extraction, focusing on the mining and recycling of critical raw materials. Its mission is to make these materials accessible to industries and citizens in Europe, and at the same time, it wants to increase technical knowledge in processing, supporting the economic and business development.

Find out more about the European association here: PROMETIA

The 10th Interdisciplinary Day of the São Domingos Mine will take place on December 4th, simultaneously with the celebrations of Santa Bárbara Day.

This year, the 10th Interdisciplinary Day of the São Domingos Mine will focus on the convergence between the mine, new technologies and education. At the same time, it aims to create an understanding between the environmental component and society, showing the important role that mining activity brings to regional communities and the country itself, while explaining how the rehabilitation of industrial space can generate greater value for all.

This event will feature the participation of EDM – Empresa de Desenvolvimento Mineiro, SA, in a presentation given by Catarina Diamantino, under the title “The environmental recovery of the former mining area of ​​São Domingos: application of technosols in the recovery of contaminated soils”.

Quoting the official note from the 10th Interdisciplinary Day:

“For more than a century, a town created by mining exploration, experienced in a different way the meeting of cultures from two countries – Portugal and England – and the technological advances of the time, which were applied to infrastructure, extraction and processing of pyrites: the São Domingos Mine. With the end of mining exploration, an environmental liability came to light, which resolution constitutes a current challenge, and a diverse natural and industrial heritage, which must be preserved, were left bare. It is because of the history of this particular mining town, located, among others, along the Iberian Pyrite Belt, that cross-reference views of specialists in areas such as anthropology, archaeology, biology, geology, history, science history, chemistry, sociology and urbanism, must be made, with an emphasis on scientific, technological and environmental centred discussions. An available contribution to all of those interested in the topic with particular use for teaching and educational service professionals in their work within the communities.”

ASSIMAGRA kicks off the Roadmap for the Decarbonization of the Natural Stone Sector.

The meeting will be held on October 27th, starting at 9:00 am, at the Hotel Montebelo – Mosteiro de Alcobaça.

The aim of this project is to draw up a strategic plan to reduce carbon emissions, improving energy efficiency and encouraging best practices in the sector over the next few years, within the scope of the Roadmap to Decarbonization.

Some of the topics under discussion include the analysis of the Product Life Cycle, its Environmental Footprint and Environmental Product Declarations, as well as the impact of Artificial Intelligence, as a facilitating element for companies, within an extremely complete event schedule.

Link to registration and agenda HERE

The new edition of the Partners’ guide to the ROUTE OF MINES AND POINTS OF MINING AND GEOLOGICAL INTEREST IN PORTUGAL 2023-2024 is now available.

This guide’s edition aims a continuous response to schools needs, from organizing field visits to other training experiences. The guide presents the Partners offer within the “ROUTE OF MINES AND POINTS OF MINING AND GEOLOGICAL INTEREST IN PORTUGAL” among a set of other resources, suggesting interesting pedagogical activities – face-to-face and non-face-to-face – that can be developed in the different contexts in which the educational practices take place.

THE ROUTE integrates a large number of entities with diverse backgrounds, resources, methods and institutional frameworks, which undoubtedly enriches the offer and makes it more interesting. The activities now presented, naturally reflect this diversity, always providing different and unique experiences to those who participate in them.

The information regarding the activities is under the responsibility of the participating entities, so it is recommended that each should be consulted in case of missing data.

To all teachers, students and other educational agents – we wish you a wonderful school year, and exciting geological and mining experiences.

Access the guide HERE.

A different summer, within the ROUTE OF MINES AND POINTS OF MINING AND GEOLOGICAL INTEREST IN PORTUGAL, this time, in Lisbon city for those who have already been, or still are on vacation.

A total of 20 analogue photographs were donated to the Museum of the University of Lisbon from Isabel Carvalho.

Taken in the year 2000 at the Panasqueira Mines, during a photographic project, Isabel was able to portray the life of the miners, in a space where work and light conditions, essential for photo shooting, but more importantly, for survival itself, are austere.

The characterization of the workers, as a fraternity, and the importance of the mine, both on a social, cultural and historical level, impressed in the people and places memories, is the added value of this work, which can be associated with the rest of the collection dedicated to these important Portuguese mines.

A still-living portrait of the deep-earth wound, to be seen at the National Museum of Natural History, University of Lisbon, 23 years later.

More information:

Minas da Panasqueira, por Isabel Carvalho

Registrations are now open for the Technical Guide Course on “Interpretation and Management of Geological and Mining Heritage”, to be held by the University of Trás-os-Montes and Alto Douro (UTAD) between September 8th and December 2nd, 2023.

Registration is formalized by completing the online form and by sending a digitalized proof of payment.

EDM – Empresa de Desenvolvimento Mineiro, SA., will award to the best students. Sign up now!

More info here.