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European Sectoral Social Dialogue Committee „Extractive Industry“
APEP
22. November 2005
Draft Joint Statement
by the Social Partners in the European Social Dialogue Committee “Mines”
Need for a European Mineral Resources Strategy
Introduction
The Extractive Industry is made up of a mosaic of sub-sectors; generally classified into two groups, the
energy (i.e. coal and lignite) and the non-energy (construction minerals, industrial minerals and
metalliferrous minerals) extractive industries. Mineral resources are required for a vast range of uses
including agriculture, water supply, housing, transport, communications and consumer goods; coal and
lignite are mainly used in electricity generation and partly for the steel industry.
Eurostat provides information on the economic characteristics of the EU25 extractive industry though
the dataset is not complete. For 2002, Eurostat recorded for the EU25 non-energy extractive industry a
production value of € 35,7 billion, a value added of about € 14 billion and direct employment of about
261 thousand people1,2. In the coal sector, about 350.000 employees produced almost 600 Mio tonnes
of coal (397 Mio tonnes of lignite and 202 Mio tonnes of hard coal).
These figures are relatively small when compared to the production value3 for all EU manufacturing (€
5,338 billion) and other industries (e.g. construction € 1,095 billion). While they contribute more to the
EU economy, manufacturing and construction industries remain highly dependent on the EU extractive
industry for many of their raw materials, energy included. The production of some value added
products, such as glass and ceramics are entirely mineral dependent.
1
Eurostat (2003) European Business – Facts and figures (data 1991-2001)
Eurostat (2002) Business in candidate countries – Facts and figures (data 1995-1999)
3
Production value measures the value of materials produced by the industry, based on sales adjusted for changes
in stock and the resale of goods and services.
2
European Sectoral Social Dialogue Committee „Extractive Industry“
APEP
Employment
Production
(in Mio tonnes)
Turnover
(in billions)
Direct
Indirect
Hard coal and lignite
350.000
About 1 Million
599
NA
Metalliferrous minerals
11.500
46.000
72
3.1
Potash (products, incl.
magnesium products)
9.900
About 35.000
9.4
1.2
Industrial minerals
40.000
About 4 Million
(in consuming
industries)
100
10
* 2002 figures based on industry estimates
Minerals contribute to the EU sustainable wealth and have an important role to play in achieving the
Lisbon Agenda4. However, a series of factors may compromise the sector’s competitiveness. It is one
of the most regulated industries with over forty different existing or forthcoming Directives, Guidelines
and International Conventions, endorsed by the EU, not forgetting specific national and local
legislations5.
The Commission Communication “Promoting sustainable development in the EU non-energy
extractive industry” (COM (2000) 265) addressed for the first time the problem of sustainable
extraction and outlined a few critical issues:
4
•
Extracting minerals is increasingly influenced by competing land uses, such as urban
development, agriculture and nature conservation;
•
A balanced consideration of economic, environmental and social aspects is needed to ensure
the sustainable development of the industry;
•
A coherent Community policy is required.
EC Communication (COM (2003) 704 final)
Christmann P, Towards a Thematic Strategy on the Sustainable Use of Natural Resources – 2004, European Commission
Directorate General Environment 225p
5
European Sectoral Social Dialogue Committee „Extractive Industry“
APEP
Need for a European mineral resources strategy
Taking
responsibility
Having responsibility for economic growth, the security and
creation of jobs as well as the preservation of the environment,
the social partners of the European social dialogue committee
“Mines” are pursuing a European strategy for minerals.
Supply security
The most recent developments on the minerals markets, with
temporary shortages of raw materials and rising prices, call for a
reassessment of the current European situation with regard to
mineral supply security.
The objective is to develop a strategy for a long-term legal and
political framework which offers planning certainty for the
European extractive and related downstream industries as well as
fair and reasonable competitive conditions.
The social partners believe that changes in European policies are
required to attain the energy and raw material strategy goals with
respect to supply security, competitive prices, environmental
compatibility and the preservation of jobs.
At the same time, an effective sustainable European mineral
resource strategy can serve as the basis for achieving the goals of
the Lisbon process.
Economic growth
and prosperity
The basis of all industrial production in Europe is to secure the
supply of mineral resources as far as quantity, price and quality
are concerned. Without minerals, many articles and functions in
our modern industry and service economy would not be possible.
With their wide range of applications they constitute the basis for
meeting the basic material needs of the people, and are therefore
indispensable. Ensuring mineral resources supply is in the general
public and economic interest. The basis for sustainable mineral
resources supply must therefore be created while respecting
ecological, economic and social interests.
European Sectoral Social Dialogue Committee „Extractive Industry“
APEP
Planning certainty
The heavy investments necessary for the exploration of mineral
resources and the authorisation for their exploitation require longterm planning and legal certainty. The creation and preservation
of a significant number of jobs in Europe is only possible with
long-term planning certainty.
Compatibility with
environment
The sites for mineral extraction are - contrary to other industries bound to the geological occurrence of deposits. Access to these
sites is therefore essential. It is undisputed that the extraction
causes a disturbance of the landscape. However, the land surface
required for mineral extraction is with 0,01% of all types of land
uses very small and of a temporary nature only. Such disturbances
e.g. of the water balance, the soil, the flora and fauna request a
careful restoration afterwards. Many extraction areas after their
closure or even during their operation, demonstrate an
environmental upgrade or a significant degree of rehabilitation.
From an ecological perspective, the subsequent use of the areas
may often result in a qualitative improvement compared to their
original condition. In the ensuing period, thanks to targeted recultivation and rehabilitation efforts, areas are created which are
attractive for plants to flourish and animal species to settle.
Furthermore, such sites are developed to serve as leisure and
recreational areas.
Facing the needs of
the 21st century
According to generally accepted forecasts, the need for primary
minerals will continue to rise, despite the increased use of
secondary raw materials. This means that even with extensive
exploitation of all recycling possibilities, primary mineral raw
material demand will remain high.
A sustainable minerals strategy must acknowledge the needs of
the 21st century and offer both the companies and the employees
in the extractive industry in Europe prospects for the future. This
includes social and political dialogue in any event, as well as the
creation of reliable framework conditions. Only in this way can
the international competitiveness of high-quality products,
employment security and the necessary consideration of
environmental interests in the sense of sustainable development
be guaranteed.
European Sectoral Social Dialogue Committee „Extractive Industry“
APEP
Signatories:
EMCEF – European Mine, Chemical and Energy Workers Federation
IMA-Europe (aisbl) – European Industrial Minerals Association
APEP (aisbl) –Association of the European Potash Producers
Euromines (aisbl) – The European Association of Mining Industries
EURACOAL – European Association for Coal and Lignite