The National Network of Italian Mining Parks and Museums was founded on October 2nd 2015 in Milan at the EXPO, during a workshop for the valorization and recovery, for cultural purposes, of abandoned mining sites, organized by ISPRA (The Higher Institute for Environmental Protection and Research) and the Lombardy Region, and with the patronage of AIPAI (Italian Association for Industrial Archaeological Heritage) and the Ministry of Economic Development.

The National Network includes national and regional public bodies, trade associations, national councils, mining parks, mine museums, eco-museums, mining museums, experts, and scholars. It currently has 41 members. The Consortium of the Historical and Environmental Geomining Park of Sardinia is one of the signatories of the Memorandum of Understanding of October 2nd, 2015. The Autonomous Region of Sardinia joined the Network in September 2018.

The general objectives of the National Network include:
promoting the conservation, protection, and enhancement of the disused mining heritage throughout the country, fostering mutual understanding, spreading information and promoting individual initiatives proposed by the museum sites;
creating a program of itinerant meetings throughout the country and to hold periodic events in which to discuss shared interests, projects, tools and objectives to be implemented for the enhancement of the sites;
defining a reference regulatory framework, in agreement with the regions, as hoped for years by museums and mining parks operating in the area without specific regulatory references;
supporting all initiatives aimed at promoting the inclusion of Italian mining parks in international networks and organizations that work to enhance the industrial mining heritage for the purpose of developing "responsible" tourism.
In 2017, the first bill, codified as N. 4566 of June 26, 2017, entitled “Provisions for the protection and enhancement of abandoned mining sites and their geological, historical, archaeological, landscape, and environmental heritage,” was presented and filed with the Chamber of Deputies.
A Journey into the Italian Mining Heritage
A journey through some mining sites that, from north to south, are shaping the new face of Italy's mining industry, nowadays transformed, enhanced, and converted into mining parks and museums. A multifaceted experience ranging from geology to the environment, from landscape to mining technology.
Promotion of mining tourism as a form of responsible and sustainable tourism, a driver of economic development for local areas, especially when integrated with historic trails and routes, Italian villages, tourist railways, gentle mobility on foot and by bicycle, and places offering quality food and wine.

https://www.isprambiente.gov.it/it/pubblicazioni/pubblicazioni-di-pregio/viaggio-nell-italia-mineraria