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Minerals in action

Objective

The Mia project will deliver a series of Researchers' Night and Researchers at Schools events from April 2026-March 2028 under the theme of minerals and raw materials research. Mia will focus on how we source, and use, minerals for every use in society. It will also improve publics' understanding of how minerals research supports the UN SDGs, Critical Raw Materials Act and other EU policies.
Ireland has a long history of mining dating back to the Bronze Age with copper mines employing thousands of people at their peak in the 19th Century. Today, most people in Ireland are unaware of our significant mining past and that we currently host Europe’s second largest lead and zinc mine – Tara Mines. This has been in operation since 1970s and is still a significant employer locally, however, it is an underground mine with a very small footprint at the surface and is therefore largely unnoticed.
In early 2021, Mia partners conducted a survey which showed that the primary negative perceptions of mining are that it is bad for the local environment and dangerous for miners. Positive aspects of mining are considered to be job creation and employment, and the growth of local economy. However, a high percentage struggled to find any positive aspects of mining or were aware of the uses of minerals.
The focus of this project will be to establish effective engagement strategies, and physical and digital content, that can be further developed and reused by the partner universities and Geological Survey. Through a series of public facing events, content and activities - including a bespoke education programme - Mia will address the lack of awareness and knowledge of minerals used in society today and strengthen the EU and UN policies in this area. Although the open access outputs will be created in Ireland across the 2 year project, they will be transferable and relevant to other EU countries and will have long term impact.

Fields of science (EuroSciVoc)

Keywords

Programme(s)

Topic(s)

Funding Scheme

HORIZON-CSA - HORIZON Coordination and Support Actions

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Call for proposal

(opens in new window) HORIZON-MSCA-2025-CITIZENS-01

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Coordinator

UNIVERSITY COLLEGE CORK - NATIONAL UNIVERSITY OF IRELAND, CORK
Net EU contribution
€ 57 937,50
Address
WESTERN ROAD
T12 YN60 Cork
Ireland
Region
Ireland Southern South-West
Activity type
Higher or Secondary Education Establishments
Links
Total cost
No data

Participants (3)