Alentejo

Mining & quarrying as a competitiveness and development driver in the Alentejo Region

BRUSSELS 13.01.2015

ALENTEJO

Alentejo region (NUTS II) occupies more than a third of mainland Portugal and is made up of five sub-regions (NUTS III): Alto Alentejo, Alentejo Central, Alentejo Litoral, Baixo Alentejo and Lezíria do Tejo.

Concerning to population, with 757,302 residents, according to the 2011 census, Alentejo region represents about 7% of the national population.

Why Investing in Metallic and Nonmetallic Minerals in RIS3 of Alentejo?

Mining & quarrying as a competitiveness and development driver in the Alentejo Region

In Alentejo, the substantial reserves of ornamental stones (marble, granite and schists), stones for industrial purposes (aggregates) and metallic minerals (especially the resources of the Pyrite Belt of Lower Alentejo), are likely to generate diversified direct activities, associated to the value creation.

EX: Cartografia do Anticlinal de Estremoz adaptado de Lopes et al. 2000

Neves Corvo / SOMINCOR

This activity should not be confined to the extraction process and should be able to clustering a variety of activities supported on the multidimensional and coordinated economic exploration of these resources, promoting the dynamics and the potential of innovation associated to the transformation process and commercialization. The transformation of mineral resources on national territory and especially in Alentejo region will be a guarantor of adding value to the product and also an important factor to leverage competitiveness and employment levels where exist the possibility to explore this resources.

The ongoing dynamic of a common strategy for Prospection and Exploration of Mineral Resources in Portugal, reinforces the relevance of Alentejo Region regarding the availability of geological resources and R & D.

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Alentejo Algarve Centro Lisboa Norte

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Alentejo Algarve Centro Lisboa Norte

Mines, Produced Quantity (t) and Production Value (thousand €) 2012Source: Direcção Geral de Energia e Geologia

Produced Quantity (Alentejo 31,4%)

Production Value (Alentejo 90,3%)

In ornamental stone sector, the aggregated turnover of extraction and transformation reaches about 146 million Euros, corresponding to a GVA of 58 million Euros, showing a positive dynamic. At employment level, ornamental stones represent 1,916 direct jobs.

Turnover and GVA in the main economic activities in the sub-domain "Mineral Resources"Source: FCT, 2013

In the case of metallic ores, the global demand should continue to grow with the economic development of emerging countries such as China, India and Brazil. This expanding demand will promote price increases that will raise the profitability of production of the Alentejo mines, often closed due to fluctuations in raw material prices. There will be opportunities for innovation at the level of mining technologies, with a focus on environmental and energy efficiency at the forefront of the innovation trajectory.

Concerning to ornamental stones the differentiated approach by market segment and sometimes even by customer, resulting from a market that was configured in a opposite direction to the large consumption, see in the mineral resources of Alentejo an important potential and competitiveness factor, because they are unique and internationally recognized for its quality. The valorization of these resources is an important strategic factor for the region.

4. Green Economy, Energy and Smart Mobility

SMART SPECIALIZATIONSMART SPECIALIZATION

1. Food and forest

2. Minerals, Resources and Environment

Technologies

5. Technologies and Specialized Services in the

Social Economy

3. Heritage, Cultural and Creative Industries and

Tourism Services

Summary Analysis of the theme "Mineral Resources, Technology and Environment" Source: prepared by CCDR Alentejo

Distinctive characteristics

Regarding the Iberian Pyrite Belt, Alentejo has one of the largest and richest world reserves of polymetallic sulphides.

Good industrial capacity and high technological domain concerning to processes and equipment (technological development and equipment modernization) to prospect and explore resources.

Existence of a Technological Center and a Cluster able to promote the valorization of ornamental stones through the transfer of new technologies and the inclusion of innovation factors of product and processes, aiming at the certification of companies and products.

Scientific potential

CEVALOR - Technological Center for the Portuguese Natural Stone

INETI (Beja) – Geological and Miners Studies Center of Beja

ValorPedra - Natural Stone Cluster

CIBIO EU - Research Center for Biodiversity and Genetic Resources

Competitive Advantages

Base raw materials of dominant sectors in Portugal and that are expanding and restructuring through knowledge exploration and through new activities such as ornamental stones, polymetallic sulphides, etc.

Geological resources in quantity and diversity with high value, particularly mining polymetallic sulphides, associated with the Iberian Pyrite Belt, ornamental stones of high diversity and beauty (marble, granite and schists).

Opportunities

Market gains associated to innovation at design and marketing level and new uses for ornamental stones, including by-products, benefiting of the prestige image associated with the use of stone as a natural product of high aesthetic and ecological value, in a sustainability perspective, considering environmental, geological and safety aspects.

Strengthening the prospection and exploration of new deposits and innovation in processes as a answer to the growth of international metals market.

Promoting geological and mining heritage, contributing to the sustainability of thematic tourism projects associated with old mines.

Technological potential installed able to develop new products and processes for application in traditional industries and in intensive industries in technology, sustained in eco-concepts.

Strengthening environmental governance at regional and local level, in the context of institutional reform aimed at sustainable development.

Development of biodiversity stations and long-term ecological research associated to environmental education and tourism activities.

Thank You

António Costa da SilvaExecutive Councillior