Background At the European level, aggregates (gravel and sand) are, after water, the second most used natural resource by human beings (6.5 tons per inhabitant and year), with more than 27,000 registered mining exploitations and an economic volume that surpasses 20% of the community GDP. The European aggergates industry is the largest non-energy extractive sector in the EU with 3 billion tons produced every year. It consists of more than 28,000 extraction sites across the Europe and a majority of operators in the sector are small and medium sized enterprises. The European aggregates industry plays a key role in providing essential materials for the European construction sector. This activity generates a range of environmental impacts particularly with the use of techniques such as crushing, washing, sizing and the transport of minerals. It is a source of pollution (dust in suspension, water consumption, risk of leaching, waste, noise pollution, effect upon biodiversity, visual impact etc) and generates a significant “ecological impact” due to its capacity to modify the orography of the terrain. Problems also arise when the ownership of the land upon which the resource is found and the ownership of mining rights are not in the same hands. Objectives The "Eco-mining" project aimed to demonstrate the viability of an innovative approach to deal with the environmental and social problems caused by mineral/aggregates extraction and manufacturing. Innovative clean technologies were to be used to reduce water, air and ground pollution, and the negative effects on biodiversity. These innovative concepts and the results of the project were to be disseminated widely. Results On the whole, the "Eco-mining" project has demonstrated the viability of an innovative approach to deal with the environmental and social problems caused by mineral/aggregates extraction and manufacturing. This approach consisted in the development, implementation and validation of a series of models and actions in a quarry site and its local surroundings that combined technological, environmental, social and economical components. Two main lines of action were tested, embodied in the definition of 4 different projects and 3 models. The following activities and outcomes can be highlighted in particular: - Testing and validation of a new prototype based on the combination of 2 technologies: the introduction of a hydrocycloning system in the mineral washing processes and a special dehydration technique of the sludge obtained based on "natural decanting" and water pumping by renewable energy. The data obtained showed that this 2-phase system is economically effective and enables a 80-90% recycling rate of the water used for the overall extraction process. Further benefits were: energy savings, reduction in CO2 emissions, 100% use of the dried mud obtained for land restoration and hole filling. - Validation of a "sustainable extraction model" through the definition of 118 BATs and BPs, of which 30 were tested in the quarry sites. The direct results were the minimisation of the environmental impacts of the mining activity and extraction process. - Assessment of the feasibility and viability of 2 other approaches based on a group of actions integrating an economic, social and environmental dimension. A) Restoration/reclamation of degraded areas (old quarry sites) through a series of projects and actions that enabled various objectives/functions to be fulfilled simultaneously: biodiversity enhancement, habitat creation, soil erosion reduction, noise reduction, CO2 fixing, acoustic and visual impact minimisation, etc. In addition, these activities fulfilled educational andinformation purposes. B) Providing information and public amenities for the local population from an environmental and awareness-raising perspective, in the areas surrounding the quarry site. This project largely exceeded what was planned and made some impressive achievements. It succeeded in improving the relationships between the quarry company and the local land owners. The dissemination activities proved to be a strong point in the project. The project and the results achieved were widely known throughout the whole of the Castilla y Leon region and in other EU countries through the participation of an Austrian partner, and National and European business associations (ANEFA and UEPG) from the aggregate sector. The high potential for transferability is a notable added value of this project: indeed the project actions and models are easily adaptable and transferable and could be very useful in the integration of environmental and social aspects in other quarry/mine sites, in any European country with similar characteristics. The innovative value of the project also lies in the original approach proposed to deal with social problems in an area where the mining activity is an important economic resource. The project showed an efficient way of dealing with the minimisation of environmental impacts and the development of the local economy in a balanced way. It demonstrated the potential for using the environment as a conciliatory element in bringing together opposing interests when the property of the land and the mining rights are in different hands. The results will undoubtedly have important economic and social implications and benefits for the future. The project had a strong social and economic dimension as shown by the growing interest and involvement of various stakeholders (public bodies, ONGs, private companies, local population, etc). Indirect outcomes of the project have already been observed, such as the creation of "rural lodges", road access improvement, etc. and further future socioeconomic benefits are expected, with the development of leisure, rural and tourism-related opportunities. In addition, as a direct effect of the implementation and success of the "Eco-Mining" project, new synergies and working relationships have emerged. Complementary projects, in line with the project concept, are planned, in particular by the Regional Government and other regional entities. These initiatives represent an important added value for the project and provide grounds for the project to continue. The project also showed the commitment of an aggregate company to environmental matters and corporate social responsibility and improved the image of the aggregate sector. Mining activities could be seen as a "source of opportunity" and not as a "threat", reducing the environmental impact and creating economic and social improvements. As a conclusion, this experience represented an alternative to the traditional approach to mineral extraction and land restoration. The holistic approach adopted by the project has proved to be a solution to reduce the environmental impact of mining activities, encourage the local development of depopulated rural areas and solve conflicts arising from the mining rights and land ownership issues.