What is MIREU?
The EU project MIREU aims to establish a network of mining and metallurgy regions across Europe. The main objective of the project is to identify ways to ensure the sustained and sustainable supply of mineral raw materials to the EU and to promote investment, innovation and growth in the sector.
As mining projects are carried out at regional and local levels, regions are key actors in ensuring a continued supply of mineral raw materials to the European economy. The MIREU project will bring together mining and metallurgy regions from across Europe to work together on improving the conditions for sustainable access and supply of raw materials in the EU. The MIREU consortium is comprised of 30 partners from 17 European mining and metallurgy regions.
Our Mission
With many European sectors and jobs depending on the access to mineral raw materials, the EU is committed to secure the reliable and unhindered access to these materials. The MIREU project will bring together European mining and metallurgy regions to work together on improving the conditions for the responsible development and secure supply of raw materials in the EU. The regions will share their experiences and knowledge to help tackle the fundamental challenges of establishing and maintaining an extractive industry.
The objectives of the MIREU project:
- Map synergies between mining and metallurgy regions. This will include looking at raw materials value chains; market conditions; economic benefits and funding. It will also frame working practices, policies, stakeholder engagement and social acceptance, as well as environmental performance and post-mining opportunities across the regions.
- Identify favourable conditions for raw material development, based on successful projects and best working practices.
- Engage with stakeholders and wider society to raise public awareness about the need for minerals and the importance of responsible practices and a sustained supply within Europe.
- Develop EU level Social License to Operate (SLO) Guidelines and an accompanying Toolkit that will further the social awareness of mining and metallurgy at the national, regional and local levels; develop pan-European social responsibility standards for the mining industry; redefine the role of regional regulatory authorities in furthering SLO; and provide concrete tools for all affected stakeholders to improve transparency and communication, with the ultimate aim of building trust.
The outcomes from the project will be gathered in an online MIREU Knowledge Portal, that will be freely accessible during the lifetime of the project. To guarantee the continuation of the network, a permanent platform for future collaboration between the regions will be established after the end of the project to carry on the activities.
What is the MIREU project?
Want to know more about the MIREU project? Watch this video to learn more about how we're creating a network of mining and metallurgy regions across Europe.