The European Aggregates Association outlines its ongoing campaign to improve access to raw materials in the EU Ensuring access to essential raw materials, despite continuous dialogue with the EU Institutions, is still a key issue for the Extractive Industry. The European Aggregates Association (UEPG) has conducted a long term campaign on "access to resources" and keeps calling for better and sustainable planning policies in Europe through two new initiatives.
The European Aggregates Association outlines its ongoing campaign to improve access to raw materials in the EU
Ensuring access to essential raw materials, despite continuous dialogue with the EU Institutions, is still a key issue for the Extractive Industry. The European Aggregates Association (UEPG) has conducted a long term campaign on “access to resources” and keeps calling for better and sustainable planning policies in Europe through two new initiatives.
In 2004, a study on ‘Minerals Planning Policies and Supply Practices in Europe’ was commissioned by the European Commission and developed by the Leoben University.
Following the publication of its position paper on the Raw Materials Initiative, UEPG saw the desirability of a new and authoritative independent support on mineral planning. UEPG president Jim O’Brien contacted Leoben University – through the Austrian Aggregates Association (FSKI) – for a review focused solely on aggregates.
The study focused on the following items: current and future aggregates supply and demand in Europe; minerals (aggregates) planning policies; and permitting systems.
The preliminary findings of Professors Moser, Wagner, Dr Tiess and student Kriz, were discussed at the UEPG committee meeting in March this year and at its board meeting the following month.
Preliminary results showed:
• Total of recycled materials is unlikely to exceed 10% of total aggregate supply in the medium term and, therefore, future supply of aggregates in Europe will still have to come from natural aggregate resources.
• Only a few Member States have a clear, structured national minerals policy • Aggregates are not considered in land use planning in most countries • Authorisation process is complex and very slow in most countries The final results will be communicated to the European Commission in May, so that conclusions may be incorporated into the recommendations of the Commission’s Raw Materials Initiative and be included in its final report.
Conference discussion
The EU Spanish Presidency will organise a minerals conference in Madrid between 16 and 18 June. The theme, ‘The EU Raw Materials Initiative: Sustainable access to resources in Europe’, is highly topical for UEPG and it will be supporting the Spanish Aggregates Association ( ANEFA) in the organisation of the event.
According to the UEPG, this will be an exceptional opportunity to review the expected development of the Communication and its benefits for the industry and for the EU economy. The conference will focus on the second pillar of the Raw Materials Initiative, the framework conditions within the EU to foster sustainable supply of raw materials from European sources and on raising public awareness.
The event will be attended by Members of the European Commission, Member States, the Extractive Industry and other stakeholders. The EC Commissioner for Enterprise and Industry, Antonio Tajani, and the EU Parliament President Jerzy Buzek, will address the Conference.
On 16 and 17 June, the conference will tackle various topics including: The Raw Materials Initiative – why is it crucial for Europe’s sustainability?; Critical access to raw materials;
Fostering sustainable supply of raw materials from European sources – Integrating extractive industry in land planning; Extraction sites and biodiversity – the way forward; and raising public awareness on raw materials There will also be a workshop where case studies on sustainable management of the extractives industries will be presented and there will be an opportunity for discussion. The outcome will be the Madrid Raw Materials Declaration 2010, presented by UEPG president Jim O’Brien.
On 18 June, technical visits will be organised, including the visit to three sites in Natura 2000 areas. More information is available on www.madrid2010rmi.com
