Abstract:

The Higher Technical School of Mining and Energy Engineering of the Technical University of Madrid and the New University of Lisbon are working in an international European project oriented to provide knowledge about the importance of mining and raw materials in the modern Europe’s Society. Mining is part of Europe’s history and the project is about showing how it influenced in what Europe is today, its impact in the technological development and its effect on the evolution of societies. It is about looking at mining through a historical approach, providing a positive perspective on a topic that has been considered hostile and a source of conflict.

MineHeritage is an innovative educational project that will show how the activities related with mining and raw materials are a fundamental part of the common European cultural heritage, expecting a strong impact among students in school age together with young people and adults.

Mining is a central part of European history. It is a key component in European development and modernity in all aspects, from work and quality of life to environmental dynamics. Showing to society the importance of raw materials from an historical approach, means involving and improving society's relationship with our culture, values and technology.

This paper describes an educational project that is being developed as part of the development of the MineHeritage Project with the support of EIT Raw Materials, one of the eight Knowledge and Innovation Communities (KICs) initiated by the EIT (European Institute of Innovation and Technology), funded by the European Commission, and whose mission is to help boost the competitiveness, growth, and attractiveness of the European raw materials sector through radical innovation and guided entrepreneurship. This paper responds to the strategic objectives of the KIC EIT Raw Materials, which seeks to increase the attractiveness of the raw materials sector to the whole society by trying to unite the growing interest in the cultural heritage of mining.

By developing a broad roadmap of mining and raw materials and providing a greater understanding of these technological developments and mining raw materials during specific historical periods and territories, along with the impact on the progress of society and its culture, we are able to develop a complete picture of mining and raw materials from prehistoric times, linking historical and contemporary social work strategies and technological developments. In addition, through educational tools developed to attract children and young people to explore history through games, videos, brochures and other captivating materials, creating a common platform of knowledge and understanding.

Keywords:

Mining History, Mining Heritage, Mine, sustainability, Society development, Adult education, youth education.