S3P Mining Industry and Global Value Chain (S3P Mining Industry) bring the European mining regions to work together on improving the conditions for sustainable access and supply of raw materials critical in the Green transition. The EU mining regions have a vital role since these regions have the most significant mineral potential for the discovery and development of mining projects needed for the industrial value chains and ecosystems to grow. Integrating SMEs at the regional level into mining value chains led by large companies is the starting point in this partnership. In interregional activities, the regions and SMEs can explore their capabilities and position in value chains and facilitate their integration into European and global value chains. Therefore, engaging regional innovation ecosystem actors in this process is necessary. As a result, the regions can reach the EU level and international collaboration, strengthening the industrial transition and regional growth.
Year established: 2019
Mineral raw materials are crucial for the EU´s future and the backbone of the EU industrial ecosystems. Minerals also represent a key input for developing the clean technologies needed to meet global climate goals. Last years have also shown the urgency of the EU to increase the domestic mineral raw materials. Despite the development of the circular economy and the use of secondary materials, mining will remain important for many decades. The competitive and environmentally sustainable mineral supply chains are crucial for the industrial ecosystems to operate in the EU. That requires a better understanding of the different assets and needs of EU mining ecosystems in the regions and clear policy action to mobilise their potential and synergies with other economic sectors.
An essential aspect of ensuring thriving EU mining ecosystems lies in their capacity to increase well-being in the mining regions with responsible mining with economic benefits and environmental sustainability.
The S3P mining industry brings European mining regions to work together on improving the conditions for sustainable access and supply of raw materials in the EU. In addition, the regions shared their experiences and knowledge in tackling the challenges of establishing and maintaining the mining and related industries in the regions:
The regions have highlighted in their S3 to support sustainable mining development, social acceptance, skills development and engagement of SMEs in value chains. In new S3s, actions to support circularity and digitalisation are becoming more critical. The common aim is to strengthen the regional innovation capacity to facilitate investments, growth and employment in the mining industry and related industries and services in the participating regions.
Green transition, industrial circular economy, regions rich with raw materials, sustainable regional development, emerging SMEs industries, modernisation of the mining value chain, responsible mining, interregional cooperation complementarity, skilled labour, societal acceptance
Clusters meet Regions East and North Finland, - A sustainable approach to raw materials- 25th - 27th April 2023, Kittilä, Lapland, Finland https://clustercollaboration.eu/event-calendar/clusters-meet-regions-Kittila-Finland
S3P mining industry partners presenting European mining regions’ collaboration in the 4th OECD Meeting of Mining Regions and Cities on 20-23 June 2023 in the City of Karratha, Australia, more information HERE
The next S3P mining industry internal online meeting on 29.3 or 4.4, or 5.4 – will be confirmed
