Mission

‘To advance the sustainable development of Spain’s rock and mineral raw materials industry by promoting environmental stewardship, social responsibility, and economic progress. Fundación Minería y Vida is committed to enhancing public knowledge, supporting educational initiatives, and fostering collaboration between industry, government, and communities to ensure that the benefits of mining are realised by current and future generations.’

The aim is to undertake actions that make sustainable economic and social progress compatible with respect for the environment and natural resources, ensuring the health of workers and citizens, improve the quality of life for present and future generations, as well as promoting awareness of Spain’s rock and mineral raw materials industry.

Through this project, the Foundation seeks to promote and convey the corporate social responsibility vocation of the Spanish extractive industry, particularly its commitment to sustainable improvement and social development in the regions where it operates..

Vision

‘To lead the Spanish rock and mineral raw materials industry towards sustainable and socially responsible practices, enhancing public understanding and acceptance, while contributing to global and national development goals.’

To demonstrate the commitment of Spain’s rock and mineral raw materials industry to Corporate Social Responsibility, particularly its dedication to sustainable improvement and social development in the regions and countries where it operates.

To develop initiatives that contribute to achieving the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the prevention and fight against climate change.

To ensure Spanish citizens’ rights and contribute to the improvement of their living standards through a sustainable supply of mineral raw materials from local deposits, tailored to the country’s needs. This will be achieved through more sustainable, circular, safe, and efficient practices, enhancing the competitiveness of companies within this industry, actively contributing to the goals of energy transition and climate neutrality, and addressing demographic challenges while increasing acceptance among stakeholders.

To promote actions concerning education, social development, environmental protection, scientific research, technological innovation, and the transfer of such advancements to the extractive sector and society. Additionally, to develop actions that promote equal opportunities and inclusive growth, foster and enhance talent, attract new professionals, and create employment within the industry. This includes specific training programmes, equality and inclusion policies, as well as promoting the industry as an employment opportunity for women.

To shift the public perception of the sector from negative to sustainable and responsible, emphasising the need for a steady supply of essential raw materials for societal development.

To assess the evolution of public opinion related to Spain’s rock and mineral raw materials industry, in collaboration with specialised institutions and public administrations and promote the exchange of experiences between companies and institutions.

Values 

To promote educational, training, and cultural actions aimed at informing, explaining, and raising awareness in schools, colleges, universities, forums, and other settings. These activities are intended for student groups and society as a whole, highlighting the importance of Spain’s rock and mineral raw materials industry, its contribution to sustainability, and its role in improving the quality of life for current and future generations.

  • To encourage the creation of environmental and social value in the activities of companies within Spain’s rock and mineral raw materials industry, based on sustainable development, social responsibility, governance and transparency policies, and the application of advanced ethical principles. The aim is for their behaviour to serve as an example to the productive sector and society of the benefits of integrating sustainable development into business management.
  • To promote actions that contribute to sustaining rural Spain, stabilising the population in areas facing demographic challenges, and achieving equality in all its forms.
  • To foster business leadership for the sustainable development of enterprises through the creation of reflection forums, educational and training activities, as well as sector-related image, communication, dissemination, and promotion efforts, both within and outside companies.
  • To promote continuous improvement in environmental, social, and governance practices within Spain’s rock and mineral raw materials industry, fostering respect for and care of nature, particularly biodiversity, air and water quality, and the circular economy. This also includes promoting knowledge, adoption, and implementation of environmental measures that contribute to the conservation of the natural environment in a manner compatible with the sustainable management of natural geological resources.
  • To encourage and promote all kinds of activities related to the study and research of the role of Spain’s rock and mineral raw materials industry in economic and social growth, derived from the improvement of applied technologies and business practices, and the creation of services in a developed society. This is viewed from the perspective of its impact on effectively improving citizens’ quality of life, environmental impact, and social and cultural cohesion.
  • To contribute to the development of cultural activities linked, among others, to historical or current Mining Heritage, thereby promoting its knowledge and conservation.

•               To contribute to improving safety and health conditions, as well as the quality of life of workers and citizens in the surrounding communities.

Specific Objectives 

  • To bring the extractive industry of Mineral Raw Materials and the profession closer to society.
  • To disseminate the importance and contributions of the industry to daily life and the well-being of citizens.
  • To correct stereotypes about the extractive industry.
  • To highlight the environmental contributions of the industry and promote its role in new policies related to combating climate change, circular economy, biodiversity, and just transition.
  • To encourage social participation (including administrations, schools and universities, professional associations, mining workers, citizens, and social agents) as a counterbalance to participatory processes opposing mining and industrial activities.
  • To adapt educational texts on mining within formal education and align them with the current reality.
  • To foster interest among secondary school students in pursuing a professional career in mining.
  • To highlight and promote the image of the industry (trust, credibility, transparency, equality, inclusion, commitment to sustainable development values, reputation, and pursuit of the common good) to stakeholders.
  • To initiate, expand, and implement models of CSR, Sustainable Mining Management, and Industry Governance.
  • To emphasise and instil pride and a sense of belonging within the industry.
  • To position the industry within the framework of its importance to Spain’s economy, the sustainability of rural Spain, and the improvement of all citizens’ quality of life.
  • To weave a network of alliances with social agents.
  • To conduct a collective action in defence of the industry’s rights, in a transparent manner.
  • To promote research and development initiatives within the sector.