Spain first international trade show for metal mining

Innovation in mining is the common theme of the Metallic Mining Hall (MMH). The event will be held at FIBES (Seville Exhibition and Conference Centre), Spain, November 3 to 5, 2015. It is to be Spain’s first international trade show dedicated exclusively to metal mining and will revolve around the key theme of innovation, applied to all phases of mining, from research and exploitation of deposits to the processing of mineral resources.

This was announced during the official presentation of the Congress, attended by the Regional Minister of Economy, Innovation, Science and Employment of the Junta de Andalucía (Andalusian Regional Government), José Sánchez Maldonado, the President of AMINER (Association of Research, Quarrying, Mining-Metallurgical Processing and Services Companies), Francisco Moreno, and the Managing Director of FIBES, Gaspar Sáez, the entities promoting the Trade Show, together with CONFEDEM (National Confederation of Mining and Metallurgy Employers), FEDEME (Metal Entrepreneurs’ Federation), the Official College of Mining Engineers of Southern Spain, the Official Geologists’ Association of Andalusia and the Official College of Technical Engineers and Degrees in Mining and Energy.

The two main attractions of the MMH – its extensive congress program and its exhibition and trade show areas – will focus on the same theme: innovation. In terms of the congress, the MMH will be structured into three scientific-technical conference days, with six 45-minute sessions per day each, totalling 24 sessions and 18 hours of congress activities, focusing on different aspects of mining, including research, underground and open-put mining, mineral processing and respect for the environment, as well as successful CSR initiatives undertaken by mining companies and which may serve as an example to other companies in the sector.

The exhibition and trade show spaces will be divided into three areas at FIBES: an indoor pavilion for stands, outdoor areas and a central area under the dome of the Palace and adjoining corridors.

Thus, during this three-day event, the venue will host some 12,000 visitors – attendees and congress participants – from the mining sector and a large number of exhibiting companies. There will also be a dedicated area for exhibitions and live demonstrations of specialized high-tonnage machinery used in this industry.

In total, the Congress will have a total area of 25,000 m2, including trade show areas and spaces for the celebration of the technical conferences. This event will also have a positive economic impact for the city of Seville, generating indirect revenues of around €3 million.

The most representative figure of the Congress is its Coordinator, Francisco Moreno, President of AMINER, supported by five committees entrusted with defining, developing and coordinating the event – the Executive, Organizing, Scientific, Logistics and Communications Committees -, formed by mining experts from leading companies in the sector involved in the project.

With the celebration of MMH, for a few days Seville will become the global showcase for the mining sector. This sector, and specifically the metal mining industry, has enjoyed a significant recovery in Spain in recent years and has become a strategic sector for Europe and Spain, and particularly for Andalusia. This event will therefore help attract national and international investors interested in this sector and will also give all participants interested the opportunity to establish business relations.

Andalusia is today one of Europe’s leading mining regions, establishing itself as the most important metal mining area in Spain and Western Europe. The sector stands out for its great potential in natural resources and its capacity to fuel economic and social progress in the region, creating a strong and stable productive fabric.

Its consolidation in Andalusia is mainly supported by high levels of production and employment at two mines operating in the Iberian Pyrite Belt: Minas de Aguas Teñidas and Cobre Las Cruces, in the provinces of Huelva and Seville, backed by two large mining groups, Trafigura and First Quantum Minerals. Both also apply responsible mining management models based on continuous technological innovation. But Andalusia also has other active sites, such as Sotiel and Riotinto, both in the province of Huelva, and others in different stages of development that may be added to this list, such as Aznalcóllar, Magdalena, Lomero Poyatos, Minas de Alquife, Paymogo, Tharsis, Las Herrerías, La Zarza, Santa Rosa or Masa Valverde, some with long mining histories. Thus, the sector is undeniably enjoying a period of prosperity.

Seville is also an ideal place for holding different kinds of business meetings and congresses, thanks to its excellent location and connections with other cities in Europe and Spain. This is complemented by its great history and monumental and artistic heritage, cultural attractions, varied cuisine and wonderful weather. The Exhibition and Congress Centre (FIBES) is located 6 km from the San Pablo International Airport and Santa Justa railway station, which offers high-speed rail services (AVE). It offers easy access to the region’s main motorways: A-4, A-92, A-49 and A-66. In 2014 alone, its facilities hosted 111 events, including conferences, fairs and shows.