MAGNA has celebrated the European Minerals Day (European Minerals day #EUMineralsDay) with regional public bodies, local authorities and local staff on a visit to the Eugi mine.
More than a hundred people have accompanied the company on an informative day on the work carried out in the mining sector and its contribution to the rural areas development. Among them, the general director of Industry, Energy and Strategic Projects S3 of the Government of Navarra, Yolanda Blanco; the mayor of Esteribar, Matilde Añón; the mayor of Erro, Enrique Garralda; the president of the Council of Eugi, Estibaliz Iribarren; the president of the Council of Zilbeti, Pedro Garrido, members of their town halls and councils, as well as councilors of the Baztan Valley, representatives of mining associations and other companies and local staff have participated in the guided tour by the deputy director general, Jorge Baños, and the management team.
During the visit to the mine, it was possible to know the area of operation in which the magnesite is extracted, the area that is currently undergoing restoration and the results of the restoration completed in the Asturreta area.
The mining director, Alberto Josa, explained that “this site is one of the most important in Europe.” Magnesite is a scarce mineral in the world, with the world’s largest reserves concentrated in China, North Korea and Russia.
Regarding the restoration developed, Josa explained that the Restoration Plan involves an investment of around 3 million euros. 40 hectares have been completely restored, having been planted in the order of 15,000 shrubs and trees.
From the company, the criterion of starting the restoration of the zones simultaneously to the extraction phase is used; in other words, restoration begins without waiting for the completion of the mining project.
The mining director has stressed that although the results of environmental rehabilitation are good, “Magnesitas Navarras has embarked on a path to excellence in the management of biodiversity in exploitation.” Therefore, he is working with experts accredited in a program to improve both flora and the increase of introduced native species as well as wildlife with initiatives such as shelter for chiroptera; stockpiles of dead wood for insects, bird food; rafts or wetlands for amphibians; and the use of bee hives to act as pollinators.
MinerÉTICA: contributing to social sustainability
This visit to the Eugi mine is part of the MinerÉTICA program, an initiative of the Government of Navarra, in which MAGNA participates in collaboration with mining associations and companies in the sector, whose objective is to increase knowledge about the role of the mining sector in our society and raise awareness about the need for minerals in our daily lives. www.mineria.navarra.es
