Developing an EU strategy for security of supply of raw materials for Europe will be a key topic at this year's European Minerals Forum
The importance of having an EU strategy for the security of supply of aggregates will be one of the main topics discussed at this year's European Minerals Forum. EC vice president Günter Verheugen will present the
The debate on strategy for security of supply of raw materials for Europe will be launched by UEPG president Denis Mertens. The first challenge to be covered will be the need to increase the sustainable supply of raw materials.
Under the chairmanship of Alain Pasquier, secretary general of UNPG France, the UK's Quarry Products Association will identify the issues to be addressed. There will then be an opportunity for one of the European Commission drafters of the Raw Materials Initiative to contribute before the matter is debated by the industry representatives and the recommendations collated by Rapporteur Chris Dobbs, director of geology for
The second challenge is the importance of ensuring sustainable and more transparent supply from other countries. Four expert speakers will make an input to this debate under the chairmanship of Eric Turner, vice president for sustainability at Rio Tinto Minerals. The speakers will be Eurometaux secretary general Monique Jones, Euromines secretary general Corina Hebestreit, Richard Nouza from the Czech Ministry of Industry and Madelaine Tuininga from the Commission's DG Trade.
Euroroc secretary general Gerd Merke will present the recommendations to the plenary session.
Establishing an adequate knowledge base of raw materials is the third challenge which has been advocated at European Union meetings by
The final session before vice president Verheugen's keynote speech will be targeted at the important subject of increasing public awareness of the importance of the European Minerals sector. This will be chaired by Thierry Salmona, president of IMA Europe.
Although valuable initiatives have been launched, much work remains to be done in this area if stakeholders and the public as a whole are to be convinced of the economic, environmental and social importance of the sector. Expert speakers will be Martin Casey, director of public affairs of
What are likely to be the next steps?
The immediate objective is to have a political document in the form of a European Commission Communication to be sent to the Council of Ministers. This is in response to their request in 2007. The document will also go to the
According to the UEPG, the 2008 European Minerals Forum will provide an exceptional opportunity to ensure that industry views are included in the rapporteur recommendations to the Commission. Those industry representatives who would like a guest place, and have not yet reserved one, should email as soon as possible the
