The European Federation of Mining Routes of Santa Barbara (MINES.B) is pleased to share the participation of its Vice President, María Ángeles Tomás, in an important international initiative promoted by the Spanish Association for the Protection of Geological and Mining Heritage.
The Association is organizing a series of online conferences entitled “Encounters with Geological and Mining Heritage”, aimed at fostering dialogue and exchange on the protection and promotion of geological and mining heritage. The most recent session, number 41, took place on Monday, March 23, and featured María Ángeles Tomás as guest speaker.
On this occasion, the Vice President of MINES.B delivered a lecture entitled:
“XX Years of MWINAS, the Mining Museum of the Andorra Sierra de Arcos Region: Toward the Internationalization of the Project”.
Her presentation traced the evolution of the MWINAS project, which began in 2005 as a small exhibition dedicated to the mining profession and has since developed into a comprehensive museum focused on coal mining. The museum illustrates the entire process, from mineral extraction—both underground and open-pit—to transportation and final use in electricity generation at a thermal power plant.
Special emphasis was placed on the internationalization of the project in recent years, particularly through its participation in the European Mining Routes of Saint Barbara Federation. Membership in MINES.B has enabled valuable networking opportunities, facilitating the exchange of experiences, knowledge, and best practices among European mining heritage sites.
This network not only supports collaboration but also works toward a key strategic goal: achieving recognition as a European Cultural Route. At the same time, it serves as an essential tool for improving the day-to-day management, conservation, and promotion of mining heritage.
The participation of Vice President María Ángeles Tomás in this conference series highlights the active and growing role of MINES.B in the European landscape, strengthening international cooperation and promoting mining heritage as a shared cultural, educational, and tourism resource.