Introduction to the Project

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 16 European mining and metallurgy regions.

Project Objectives

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 are to:

  • Map synergies between mining and metallurgy regions.
  • Identify favourable conditions for raw material development.
  • 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.

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ERRIN's Role

ERRIN is responsible for the MIREU project's communication and dissemination activities. This includes managing the project's website and social media channels; developing promotional material and publications; organising and participating in events; engaging in promotional activities; stakeholder engagement; and supporting project partners and regions in their local promotional efforts.

ERRIN is further involved in the task of developing a permanent platform for future collaboration between the European mining and metallurgy regions. The platform will be established after the end of the project to carry on the activities.

  • Ryan Titley
  • Director of Projects
  • Heidi Johansson
  • Project Officer
  • Hilary Webb
  • Policy & Communications Officer

ERRIN Members

Benefit & Links

In order to not give only particular entities (organisations, enterprises) but the entire regions a voice on their raw materials sector in Brussels, the main institutional output of the MIREU project is to launch the Council of Mining and Metallurgy European Regions (CoMMER). CoMMER will generate cross-sectorial and interregional synergies for the mutual benefit of mining and metallurgy regions. Learn more by following Raw Materials on the ERRIN website.

Project in Action

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Latest Updates

EPRS: Ten Issues to Watch in 2021
  • By Hilary Webb

EPRS: Ten Issues to Watch in 2021

The European Parliamentary Research Service (EPRS) has published its annual report 'Ten issues to watch in 2021'. The document provides in-depth analysis on what its policy analysts identify as the key issues to watch in 2021.

Action plan on critical raw materials
  • By Hilary Webb

Commission presents action plan to secure Europe's sustainable critical raw materials

The Commission has presented a new action plan on critical raw materials, which will work to secure a sustainable supply of raw materials to Europe while ephasising the EU's strategic autonomy.

European Green Deal Image
  • By Ryan Titley

Green Deal: Sustainability for the EU Extractive Industries

As ERRIN continues to investigate the relationship between European Raw Materials policy and the overarching topic of the European Green Deal, we would like to invite our members to get in touch if they are interested in supporting a Task Force on this topic.  

MIREU Survey
  • By Hilary Webb

MIREU Survey on Perceptions of Mining in Europe

The MIREU project has launched a survey that aims to gauge perceptions of mining across Europe. The survey works towards a key goal of the project - understanding people's thoughts, feelings and expectations in regards to mining. By participating in the 15-20 minute survey you will influence industry practices and government policy by helping MIREU to set new guidelines for a responsible mining and metallurgy sector. 

SUMEX
  • By Hilary Webb

Sustainability outside the box: lessons from natural resource projects

The SUMEX project is preparing for its second virtual clustering workshop: Sustainability outside the box: lessons from natural resource projects, architecture and E-learning.

Structural Transformation - socially innovative design
  • By Hilary Webb

Structural Transformation - Socially innovative design

This webinar will ask if and how social policy and the European Green Deal go together. Saxony-Anhalt will use its experience to demonstrate how it is possible to successfully phase out coal production, while pressing that focussing on economic aspects alone is not enough.