CRIET – the University of Milan-Bicocca and the ‘Ministry of Economic Development – DGRME (now DGS-UNMIG)’ considered it of mutual interest to initiate a solid form of cooperation in order to develop and increase knowledge of the extractive industry through:

• the exchange of information and the update of databases relating to mining activities;
• the professional upgrading of staff;
• the technical-professional and regulatory support in the field of security and protection of offshore installations;
• the support of the ‘Ministry of Economic Development’ for conducting studies and research into the safety of activities and mining installations, including the good governance of deposits.

In implementing this present agreement CRIET has carried out the following operational activities:

1. A preliminary study to map the path of the adoption of the ‘Plan of Areas’, in order to ensure the continuation of activities that are considered safe and environmentally compatible, with thorough analyses of legal requirements, potential problems, opportunities, regulatory compliance, safety, timing and the identification of those involved both in the ‘VAS’ procedure and the adoption of the ‘Plan of Areas’;
2. A proposal of a ‘Plan of the Areas’ in collaboration with the relevant technical offices of the Ministry of Economic Development;
3. A study aimed at defining a proposal for an optimal organizational solution for the management of communication activities connected to the drawing up and adoption of the ‘Plan of Areas’, with the objective of disseminating detailed information on the safety of offshore installations in the areas concerned;
4. A study aimed at defining a communication strategy proposal and a detailed ‘communication plan’ regarding offshore safety, including also the possible implementation of electronic platforms and the use of social media. The strategy and the ‘communication plan’ should be approved solely by the Ministry of Economic Development;
5. The provision of support for the drafting of the ‘Environmental preliminary report’ and the ‘Environmental report’, on topics related to offshore safety and communication;
6. Analyses of best practices and of previous cases, in order to resolve economic, financial and legal problems arising from incidents in offshore plants, including in cross-border areas;
7. A study and evaluation of the instruments businesses adopt in the aspect of corporate social responsibility, in order for these to be applied to offshore activities;
8. The exchange and update of respective databases.