Grup Mineralògic Català

The Grup Mineralògic Català (GMC) is a non-profit mineralogical association founded in 1975 in Catalonia, Spain. It emerged from the Geography and Natural Sciences Section of the Centre Excursionista de Catalunya (CEC) with the aim of bringing together the small, scattered groups of mineralogy enthusiasts across Catalonia. Rooted in the Sants district of Barcelona, the GMC has grown into one of the leading mineralogical organizations in the region, dedicated to the study, documentation, preservation, and popularization of mineralogy and mining heritage. The association organizes mineral fairs and exchanges, including Mineralexpo Barcelona-Sants and Mineralexpo Sant Celoni, and collaborates on events such as the international micromineralogy meeting in Camprodon, the Fira de Minerals de Gualba, and the Fira de Minerals Terres de Lleida. It was also part of the organizing committee of Expominer, one of the most important mineral fairs in southern Europe, held at Fira de Barcelona. The GMC publishes the magazine Mineralogistes de Catalunya, also issued in Spanish as Paragénesis, and an online news bulletin called Infominer. It also runs the MinerAtlas project, an open and collaborative service to locate mineralizations described by Josep Maria Mata i Perelló in the volume "Els minerals de Catalunya" published by the IEC. Over its five decades, the GMC has been led by notable mineralogists. Its first president was Joaquim Folch, later named honorary president. Joaquim Mollfulleda, a distinguished Catalan mineralogist and photographer, presided from 1978 to 1993 and remained honorary president until his death in 2006. Joaquim Callén led the entity until 2014, followed by Frederic Varela Balcells, who strengthened relations with museums and universities and promoted analytical study of minerals. Between January 2020 and January 2024, Joan Rosell Riba served as president, reinforcing ties with research centers such as Geociències Barcelona (GEO3BCN-CSIC) and the Museu de Ciències Naturals de Barcelona, and creating synergies with new sponsors. In January 2024, Varela returned as president. In 2025, coinciding with its 50th anniversary, the GMC received the collective recognition award at the XXXIII Premis Sants-Montjuïc. The association continues to be active, organizing fairs, publishing books such as "Minerals de Catalunya. Manual divulgatiu" and "Minerals i mines del Montseny," and promoting the study and enjoyment of minerals through excursions, conferences, and publications.

The Grup Mineralògic Català (GMC) was founded in 1975 as a non-profit entity, born from the Geography and Natural Sciences Section of the Centre Excursionista de Catalunya (CEC). Its purpose was to unite the small, dispersed groups of mineralogy enthusiasts throughout Catalonia. The first president was Joaquim Folch, who was later named honorary president. In 1978, Joaquim Mollfulleda, a renowned Catalan mineralogist and photographer, became president, a position he held until 1993; he remained honorary president until his death in 2006. The third president was Joaquim Callén, who led the organization until 2014. He was succeeded by Frederic Varela Balcells, who focused on strengthening relations with museums and universities and promoting analytical studies of minerals. From January 2020 to January 2024, Joan Rosell Riba served as president, during which ties were reinforced with research centers such as Geociències Barcelona (GEO3BCN-CSIC) and the Museu de Ciències Naturals de Barcelona, and new sponsorships were developed. In January 2024, Varela returned as president. In 2025, coinciding with the 50th anniversary, the GMC received the collective recognition award at the XXXIII Premis Sants-Montjuïc. Throughout its history, the GMC has organized mineral fairs such as Mineralexpo Barcelona-Sants and Mineralexpo Sant Celoni, collaborated on the Camprodon international micromineralogy meeting, the Fira de Minerals de Gualba, and the Fira de Minerals Terres de Lleida, and was part of the organizing committee of Expominer at Fira de Barcelona. It publishes the magazine Mineralogistes de Catalunya (also in Spanish as Paragénesis) and the online bulletin Infominer, and runs the MinerAtlas project to document mineral localities.

• 2026

  Fourth edition of Fira de Minerals Terres de Lleida to be held on 6 June in Balaguer.

• 2025

  GMC receives collective recognition award at XXXIII Premis Sants-Montjuïc on its 50th anniversary.

• 2024

  Frederic Varela Balcells returns as president in January.

• 2020

  Joan Rosell Riba becomes president in January.

• 2014

  Frederic Varela Balcells becomes president.

• 2006

  Death of honorary president Joaquim Mollfulleda.

• 1993

  Joaquim Callén becomes president, serving until 2014.

• 1978

  Joaquim Mollfulleda becomes president, serving until 1993.

• 1975

  Grup Mineralògic Català founded as a non-profit association.

Non-profit mineralogical association focused on study, preservation, and popularization of mineralogy and mining heritage in Catalonia.

• Mineralogistes de Catalunya (magazine)

  Magazine published by GMC, also issued in Spanish as Paragénesis.

• Paragénesis (magazine)

  Spanish-language edition of Mineralogistes de Catalunya.

• Infominer (online bulletin)

  Online news bulletin published by GMC.

• MinerAtlas

  Open and collaborative service to locate mineralizations described by Josep Maria Mata i Perelló in 'Els minerals de Catalunya'.

• Minerals de Catalunya. Manual divulgatiu (book)

  Book authored by GMC members Joan Rosell, Xavier Rodríguez, Josep A. Ignacio, and Prudenci Gatell.

• Minerals i mines del Montseny (book)

  Forthcoming book by GMC.

1. 1Benvinguts al Grup Mineralògic Català | Grup Mineralògic Catalàminercat.com
2. 2Grup Mineralògic Català - Wikidatawikidata.org
3. 3Grup Mineralògic Català - Viquipèdiaca.wikipedia.org