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The publication offers a comprehensive insight into the essential contribution of the mineral products industry to the economy and sustainability, as well as the challenges it faces.
Key facts from the document are 250 million tonnes is the industry’s annual production; £9 billion is the annual industry’s turnover; £400bn is the turnover of industries members supply; £120 billion is the value of construction, the main customer; 70,000 people are employed in the industry and 2.5 million jobs are supported through the supply chain.
Other statistics show that materials in the MPA scope accounted for 65% of total UK production of minerals in 2012 (including crude oil/natural gas/coal); in 2013, 103 million tonnes of aggregates were produced in England, 27 million tonnes in Scotland, 18 million tonnes in Northern Ireland and 13 million tonnes in Wales while in 2013 crushed rock accounted for 45% of all GB aggregate sales, recycling 28% and sand and gravel 27%.
The UK has moved from being a net exporter to being a net importer of concrete products since 2009 and the annual cost of the Aggregates Levy was equivalent to 31% of industry gross value added (GVA) in 2012.
The cost of total climate change and energy measures is estimated to rise from an equivalent of 15% of the GVA of the cement industry in 2013 to 65% by 2020, and use of aggregates and cement per capita in the UK is about 35% and 60% respectively below the European average.
Member of Parliament (MP) Alun Cairns, No. 10 Policy Unit and MP for Vale of Glamorgan, said: “The mineral products industry needs to be recognised as critical to our future economic and social prosperity. This Facts at a Glance booklet demonstrates the industry's contribution.
“The growth strategy is clear: more high-tech, high growth industries are needed, like aerospace and digital communications. We also need enabling industries like construction and its supply chain.
“The booklet makes the link between the materials produced and the built environment, as well as their value as an enabler for downstream economic activity. I congratulate you on the work you are doing to help rebuild the country.”
Nigel Jackson, chief executive MPA, said: “The hard-earned recovery must not be taken for granted. It needs continual nurturing to maintain momentum, to minimise uncertainty and maximise confidence to encourage investment. We are also aware of the political decisions that lie ahead in the UK and the risks and uncertainties in Europe, the US and beyond.
“If 2014 continues to unfold positively and we progressively address the massive cumulative underbuild in housing, the need to replace our energy infrastructure, repair our roads and extend our rail network, the prospects for both the short and medium term can remain very positive.
“Why is our Facts at a Glance publication worthy of attention? Because we have to keep grinding out the facts and evidence, not only to inform policy thinking on mineral resources and their use as essential products, but to try and influence policy. It’s an evidence based world and no evidence probably means little influence: and there is no more powerful evidence than good data, well presented.
“Our second edition has filled many of the gaps of the first and is richer, more inclusive geographically and reaches across the full product spectrum. For MPA members this document is part of our Make the Link toolbox, making the link between our quarries, plants and factories and our roads, hospitals, schools, housing and energy infrastructure and the essential mineral products they rely on.”
The Facts at a Glance can be downloaded
