APG Day – 9th Annual Meeting will be held on 24 March 2017 at the LNEC – National Laboratory of Civil Engineering (Lisbon).
Under the scope of this event, a tribute will be paid to António Gomes Coelho, an associate who died in January this year.
This meeting will feature the special interventions of associates Ricardo Oliveira and Vítor Correia.
Entrance is free.
Further information at https://apgeologos.wordpress.com/
Portugal was present at the International Summit of Ministers of the Mining Sector in 2017, which took place on 6 March, in Toronto.
The Secretary of State for Energy, Jorge Seguro Sanches, was one of the speakers at this meeting, which had as its main theme the “Opportunities and Challenges for Innovation and Clean Innovation in the Mining Sector”.
Focused on the role of innovation in the mining sector, this meeting also allowed the role of governments and the new collaborative models and initiatives with industry to be debated.
The International Summit of Ministers of the Mining Sector forms part of the PDAC International Convention, Trade Show & Investors Exchange, a prestigious worldwide convention that brings together people, companies and organizations linked to mining and financing of the sector.
In addition to having more than 900 exhibitors and 22 thousand participants from 125 countries, this event is composed of technical sessions, various technical training courses and networking events.
Sustainability and efficiency in the use of resources are one of Portugal’s priorities, and policies and legislation aimed at this objective have been implemented.
As a direct result of this strategy, the mining sector will be the first to eliminate industrial liabilities (forecast by 2022) amassed during the 20th century, and has currently invested another 90 million euros in the environmental remediation of former mining areas, with EDM – Empresa de Desenvolvimento Mineiro, SA being tasked to carry out the associated work.
The former Lousal mine has become one of the 20 knowledge tourism centres launched by Ciência Viva and Vodafone.
Closed in 1988, the pyrites mine is now one of the sights in a tourist attraction, accommodation and hotel guide, with discounts, offering visitors experiences in the field of chemistry, geology, physics and the environment. The Lousal tour begins at the Ciência Viva Centre – Science Mine and ends underground, among crystals of different minerals.
It should be noted that the former mining area ofLousal has been subjected to two major environmental recovery operations, the first in 2010/2011 and a second between 2014/2015, with the total investment amounting to more than 3.6 million euros.
On 21 January, in Gouveia, EDM – Empresa de Desenvolvimento Mineiro, SA assigned a contract to Conduril, SA for the environmental rehabilitation of the abandoned former mining areas of Castelejo, Formiga and Vale de Videira, in the municipality of Gouveia, Vales, in the municipality of Fornos de Algodres, and Póvoa de Cervães, in the municipality of Mangualde, in a total investment of around 3.8 million euros.
The public event marking the start of works on the ground was presided over by the Secretary of State for Energy, Jorge Seguro Sanches.
This initiative was preceded by the formalization of a partnership agreement between EDM – Empresa de Desenvolvimento Mineiro, SA and Gouveia City Council with a view to taking advantage of the tourism, geological and mining potential of the former mining areas in the municipality of Gouveia.
In addition to the environmental remediation contract awarded to the company Conduril, SA, worth around 3 million euros, the intervention process includes preparation of the necessary studies and designs, technical supervision, on site safety coordination, environmental inspection, as well as a set of environmental and radiometric monitoring services. The works will have a completion deadline of one year.
The intervention of EDM – Empresa de Desenvolvimento Mineiro takes place under the concession contract awarded by the State, on an exclusive basis, for the environmental rehabilitation of degraded mining areas (DL 198-A/2001-6/7).
On 12 January 2017, the Government approved, through the Council of Ministers, the draft renewal of the concession contract between the Portuguese State and EDM – Empresa de Desenvolvimento Mineiro for the pursuit of environmental recovery activities in degraded mining areas for a period of seven years.
This measure thus permits the continuation of the action plan that has been under implementation since 2001. The works are progressively eliminating the impacts of mining activities, reducing the risks to public health and ecosystems and providing better conditions for future land use and acceptance by local communities of activities related to the exploitation of geological resources.
On 7 January, EDM – Empresa de Desenvolvimento Mineiro, SA awarded Conduril Engenharia, SA the first phase of the environmental recovery works at the São Domingos former mining area in the municipality of Mértola, for 2.3 million euros.
The works consist of the execution of a retention basin and a system of canals on the right bank to divert waters from leaching contamination, thus achieving a significant reduction in the volume of acidic waters. The intervention will also allow a reduction in the discharge of pollutants, particularly for the Chança dam.
This new phase of the project follows the tendering procedure launched on 10 September 2016 at a ceremony at S. Domingos Mine attended by the Secretary of State for Energy, Jorge Seguro Sanches.
The works are due to start next spring, after official approval of the contract by the Court of Auditors.
The mining area of São Domingos, decommissioned in 1966, was mined for copper and sulphur for the production of sulphuric acid, as well as by-products such as lead, nickel, cobalt, silver, cadmium, arsenic, antimony and tin.
The intervention of EDM – Empresa de Desenvolvimento Mineiro takes place under the concession contract awarded by the State, on an exclusive basis, for the environmental rehabilitation of degraded mining areas (DL 198-A/2001-6/7).
The Secretary of State for Social Security, Cláudia Joaquim, presided over a formal session marking the conclusion of the environmental remediation project of the Velha Dam, Urgeiriça, on 14 April 2008. During the event, which was attended by the Board of Directors of EDM – Empresa de Desenvolvimento Mineiro, SA, a plaque was unveiled in honour of the miners who worked in the uranium mines. The initiative made it possible to fulfil a long-standing aspiration of the workers arising from the request made by former Secretary of State for Industry and Innovation, António Castro Guerra, when a commemorative plaque was erected in 2008.
EDM – Empresa de Desenvolvimento Mineiro, SA is participating in a Working Group, established by the Secretary of State for Energy, Jorge Seguro Sanches on 30 November, to identify and delineate occurrences of lithium deposits in Portugal, as well as economic activities associated with their development and use.
Coordinated by the general deputy director of the Directorate-General of Energy and Geology, Cristina Vieira Lourenço, the working group also includes representatives of the National Energy and Geology Laboratory, the National Association of Extractive and Manufacturing Industries and the Portuguese Association of Manufacturers of Marble and Granite, thus seeking to evaluate the possibility of producing lithium metal.
“The potential of domestic geological resources, as a factor in economic development of increasing strategic importance, determines the adoption of measures to evaluate and promote natural resources in Portugal, from a standpoint of environmental sustainability and social responsibility”, stressed the Secretary of State for Energy.
The importance of lithium minerals in Portugal is demonstrated by the growing interest shown by mining companies.
Lithium minerals extracted in Portugal are intended exclusively for the ceramic industry, their use being limited to mere flux, leading to significant savings in companies’ energy bills.
It will thus be important to study and establish the position that Portugal may take on the world stage in relation to a whole new emerging industry associated with the electrification of society, and in particular means of transport.
The conclusions of this Working Group should be presented by 31 March 2017.
On 23 October, EDM signed a prospection and research agreement with the Portuguese State for the area known as “Rosário”, falling under the municipalities of Castro Verde, Aljustrel, Almodôvar and Ourique, where an initial investment half a million euros is anticipated.
At the same time, two contracts for areas known as “Alcácer” and “São Pedro das Cabeças” were signed between the State and the company ESAN, located in the municipalities of Alcácer do Sal, Grândola, Castro Verde and Aljustrel, a reflection of the consortium created with EDM, last February, for the Iberian Pyrite Belt. As well as the above-mentioned areas, the partnership, 85% controlled by ESAN and 15% by EDM, includes a prospection project called by “Monte das Mesas”, located in the municipality of Aljustrel. The budget for the work plan and investments associated with these projects is estimated at 7.6 million euros over the next five years.
The Iberian Pyrite Belt, which stretches to Andalusia, is the area with the largest domestic mining potential, and is where the Aljustrel and Neves Corvo mines are located, which are operated under concession by Almina and Somincor, respectively. Investment in this national asset, the Iberian Pyrite Belt, having strong potential for copper and zinc, is essential and will enable the discovery of new mineral deposits in the Alentejo subsoil.
EDM is a publicly owned company that operates as a leading sector operator, assuming, as concessionaire on an exclusive basis, an important role in the preparation and prosecution of environmental restoration projects in areas degraded by abandoned former mines. It also pursues, on its own initiative or in a partnership, activities for the prospection, research and exploitation of mineral resources and provides specialized services in the fields of georesources and the environment.
ESAN is a member of the Eczacibasiesan group, a conglomerate based in Istanbul, with diverse interests, but with a particular focus on mining activities and the processing of industrial minerals for the ceramic industry. In 2009 it acquired a mining unit where zinc concentrate and lead are produced (Balya Mine in Turkey), which is operated by ESAN.
On 7 October 2016, beginning at eleven o’clock at Mangualde Town Hall, a public meeting was held to discuss the assignment to the local community of areas around the former, recently recovered mines.
In the municipality of Mangualde, the mines of Cunha Baixa and Espinho were decommissioned, respectively, in 1991 and 1990 after the exploration of uranium. The environmental liability resulting from that operation has since been the subject of major rehabilitation work overseen by EDM – Empresa de Desenvolvimento Mineiro, SA under the “Concession Contract for the recovery of abandoned mines”, signed between the State and Empresa de Desenvolvimento Mineiro, SA (EDM).
On Friday, 7 October 2016, the Secretary of State for Energy, Jorge Seguro Sanches, travelled to the municipality of Mangualde to preside over an act of deep social and political significance, consisting of the transfer of the recovered mining areas by Mangualde City Council to local associations, which will be responsible for the use and management of those spaces for the local population.
With regard to the reclaimed area of the former Cunha Baixa mine, a protocol was signed transferring to the Agricultural Cooperative of Mangualde Farmers (COAPE) a farm irrigation system, built by EDM, which includes a reservoir that receives rainwater, allowing around ten hectares of agricultural land to be irrigated relating to 19 beneficiary parcels.
A protocol was also concluded handing over to the municipality of Mangualde, and to the Civil Parish of Cunha Baixa, a Visitor Centre building and adjacent Picnic Area, built on the site by EDM. This Visitor Centre will house a permanent exhibition on the history of mining in the municipality of Mangualde and on environmental recovery measures, and should also serve for occasional thematic exhibitions and other cultural activities that the municipality and the parish organize there, thus constituting a dynamic tourist and cultural centre.
In the reclaimed area ofthe former Espinho mine, a protocol was signed involving the municipality of Mangualde, the Civil Parish of Espinho and the Protection and Rescue Operations Brigade (K9V – GIOPS) association. Through this protocol, this former mining area will be used for training and dissemination of activities in the field of civil defence.
Mangualde City Council is the entity that serves as a link with all local organizations and pro-actively seeks solutions to take social advantage of the spaces recovered from the former mines. Thus, a Partnership Agreement was also signed between the municipality of Mangualde and EDM, SA establishing the terms of current and future cooperation, precisely with a view to achieving the common goal of putting the investments made in environmental rehabilitation of the former mining areas at the service of the population.
The municipality of Mangualde once played host to significant uranium mining activities, which have now ended. The Cunha Baixa mine was active between 1967 and 1993, operating open pit and underground mining activities which reached a maximum depth of 150 metres. Environmental recovery included radioactive decontamination and safety works and, also, the stabilization of spoil heaps and embankments and the renaturation of water lines and scenic landscaped areas, as well as agricultural land, including the creation of an irrigation system to make use of rainwater without the need to resort to wells. The investment was in the order of 6 million euros and included a contribution from European Community funds.
The mining area of Espinho covers around 3.7 hectares, and the mine was operated between 1988 and 1990, as an open pit, from which around 18,000 tons of ore were removed with an average uranium content of 0.17%, corresponding to around 30 tons. The open cut is flooded with around 74,000 m³ of water, today forming an extraordinary water surface that enhances the site. The environmental remediation carried out here consisted of the shaping and sealing of spoil heaps, protection and safety works and drainage. The landscaping carried out affords the site excellent conditions for recreational activities. The investment was in the order of half a million euros and included a contribution from European Community funds.
In the municipality of Mangualde, the former mines of Valdante were also the subject of works under the environmental recovery of Cunha Baixa due to their proximity, and the former mining area of Freixiosa.
In 2017, the environmental remediation of the former mining area of Póvoa de Cervães will be completed, the works forming part of a general and simultaneous environmental restoration contract involving several former mining areas covering different municipalities (Castelejo, Formiga, Vale da Videira, in Gouveia, Vales, in Fornos de Algodres, and Póvoa de Cervães, in Mangualde), awarded on 20 September 2016, under a project approved by the POSEUR (4.9 million euros).
On 23 September, EDM – Empresa de Desenvolvimento Mineiro concludes another stage of the environmental rehabilitation of former Urgeiriça uranium mine, where operations were discontinued in 1999, with the opening of a modern recreation and sports area for the local population.
This area was transferred to Nelas Council, which filed with the Civil Parish of Canas de Senhorim, and with the Urgeiriça Mines Staff House, the terms of its opening to the public, use and management, in a ceremony attended by the Secretary of State for Energy, Jorge Seguro Sanches.
At the same time, the municipality of Nelas and EDM signed a ‘Partnership Agreement’ with the goal of marking the wide range of current and future cooperation between the two entities geared towards putting at the service of the local community the heritage and areas recovered from the former mines.
Forming part of one of the largest environmental remediation investments ever made in Portugal, which should, at the end of the work, amount to around 33 million euros, the Urgeiriça mine redevelopment project receives financial support from European Structural Funds.
EDM – Empresa de Desenvolvimento Mineiro, under the “Outline Study of Radioactive Ore Areas”, established a ‘Master Plan’ of actions and works to be implemented, in a phased manner, with a view to the environmental recovery of that mining area through a conceptual model based on technical principles deemed appropriate in relation to hydrological, environmental and radiological aspects.
EDM – Empresa de Desenvolvimento Mineiro, SA has launched a tendering procedure for the first phase of environmental rehabilitation works at S. Domingos mine. It is a project involving a total investment of around 20 million euros.
During the event, held in Mértola, a partnership agreement was also signed between EDM and the municipality of Mértola regarding use of the cultural, tourism, geological and mining potential of S. Domingos.
The public session was attended by the Secretary of State for Energy, Jorge Seguro Sanches, who presided over the acts. The mining area of S. Domingos, in the municipality of Mértola, was mined for copper and sulphur for the production of sulphuric acid, alongside by-products such as lead, nickel, cobalt, gold, silver, cadmium, arsenic, antimony and tin.
Considered for many years the largest Portuguese mine, it was decommissioned in 1966, following the depletion of reserves, leaving environmental liabilities consisting of spoil heaps, acid water, industrial ruins and damage to the landscape.
EDM will now undertake the essential works for the environmental recovery of this mining area in stages, supported by appropriate, high quality technical projects, which could promote a new era of economic, social and cultural development, which national and local authorities wish to launch this territory. This first stage of the works should cost around four million euros and is expected to last 14 months.
The intervention of EDM takes place under the concession contract awarded by the State, on an exclusive basis, for the environmental rehabilitation of degraded mining areas (DL 198-A/2001-6/7), and a significant part of the works will be funded by European structural investment funds, by means of an application approved by the sustainability operational programme and the efficient use of resources (POSEUR).