The Iberian Mining Observatory (MINOB) will be launched in Brussels on 17 November at the European Parliament in an event to be held at room Spaak 1C51 from 12:30-13:30 under the auspices of MEP Miguel Urbán Crespo coinciding with the EU Raw Materials Week. To obtain an visitor's pass, please register sending an email to mail@minob.org by November 15.
MINOB is a tool available to social actors with an interest in extractive industries and the documentation and future prevention of its impacts. It establishes a monitoring and early warning system to detect, map and report misconduct and bad practices of the mining sector in Portugal and Spain.
During the EU Raw Materials week an updated version of the MINOB will be launched including 30 geo-referenced cases of infringements of social and environmental rights in Iberian mining operations.
Existing evidence on each case is compiled in a standardised and systematically searchable database that is permanently updated and with duly referenced information.
The database can offer a relevant contribution to the inspection and control functions of public administrations and law-enforcement agencies as well as to a better understanding of mining by political institutions, the media, NGOs, social movements and affected local communities.
MINOB is an environmental citizenship initiative launched with the support of the Spanish Ministry of Social Rights and 2030 Agenda by the Centro de Saberes para a Sustentabilidade, a Regional Centre for Expertise in Education for Sustainable Development officially recognised by the United Nations University.
Schedule
Welcome and introduction: the social and environmental impacts of mining, by MEP Miguel Urbán Crespo
Presentation of the MINOB project, by Joám Evans Pim (Fundación Montescola)
Worst Practices in Iberian Mining round-table moderated by Dr. Isidoro Albarreal (Ecologistas en Acción) with representatives from mining-affected communities.