The EU Raw Materials Initiative – What next?

Fondation Européenne des Minéraux
European Minerals Foundation
The 11th European Minerals Forum
“The EU Raw Materials Initiative – What next?”
with the support of
Otlay Quarry, Hanson, HeidelbergCement, UK, UEPG Award 2010
Table of Contents
Introduction………………………………………………………………………………..
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European Minerals Forum Programme………………………………………………
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Contributions
Jean-Marie Chandelle, CEMBUREAU…………………………………………………..
Thomas Drnek, EUROMINES…………………………………………………………...
Michelle Wyart-Remy, IMA-Europe……………………………………………………...
Jim O‘Brien, UEPG - European Aggregates Association……………………………..
Robert Wasserbacher, FSKI, Austria……………………………………………………
Raimo Benger, Wbn-baustoffe, Germany………………………………………………
Holger Bartels, IG BAU, Germany…………………………………………………........
Thomas From, SveMin, Sweden....................................………………………………
Hugh Lucas, Aggregates Industry, UK……………….....………………………………
Michael Schulz, BKS, Germany……………….....………………………………..........
Slavko V. Šolar, Geological Survey, Slovenia …….....…………………………..……
Göran Bäckblom, ETP SMR.....………...............................................................……
Gérard Bos, Holcim.....………................................................................................…
Jim Rushworth, Lafarge.....….....................................................................……........
Tim Stokes, Cemex.....……............................................................................………
Michael Rademacher, HeidelbergCement.....….........................................…………
Damien Grégoire, Carmeuse.....….............................................................…………
Geert Cuperus, Fédération Internationale du Recyclage.....…………………….….
Brian James, European Platform for Recycled Aggregates.....………...............……
Simon Van Der Byl, European Asphalt Pavement Association.....……..........………
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Participants…………………………………………………………………..……………
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Introduction
The European Minerals Foundation was established as a not for profit body to increase
knowledge about minerals and raw material resources. Since its inception it has
organised European Minerals Fora on a wide range of subjects of importance to the
European Union.
Previous Fora have been addressed by Vice President Verheugen when he launched
the Commission‘s Raw Materials Initiative. Other speeches have in the past been
presented by Members of the European Parliament including the current President
Jerzy Buzek, Environment Commissioner Janez Potočnik as well as representatives
from EU Agencies, Non Governmental Organisations, Trade Unions and Business
Leaders. Commission representatives have addressed the Foundation Fora from DG
Industry and Entrepreneurship, DG Employment, DG Trade as well as DG
Environment.
This European Minerals Foundation Forum – the 11th in the series - focuses on the
next steps for the European Raw Materials Initiative. The significance of raw materials
to every industry and every aspect of life cannot be overstated. The construction,
chemicals, automotive, aerospace and machinery sectors, which provide a total added
value of € 1 324 billion and 30 million jobs all depend on access to raw materials. The
European minerals sector provides jobs for 350 000 employees and up to 500 000
when including the subcontractors. 14% of jobs in the EU are in businesses which
depend on mineral raw materials.
The health & safety of those employed is of utmost importance to the minerals sector. One
example of this is the European Network for Silica formed by the Employee and Employer
European sectoral associations having signed the Social Dialogue "Agreement on
Workers' Health Protection Through the Good Handling and Use of Crystalline Silica and
Products Containing it" on 25 April 2006, representing 15 industry sectors i.e. more than
2 million employees and a business exceeding € 250 billion.
While mineral raw materials play a vital and valuable role in human wellbeing providing
products that meet the needs of today's society, the way they are extracted from the
earth has a potential impact on biodiversity. The minerals industry is well aware of this
and of its responsibility to support biodiversity and is actively working towards its
conservation and enhancement. At many sites, conserving biodiversity is part of the
decision-making process and a foundation of land-restoration and water management
policy. Biodiversity is taken into account before, during and after extraction and, in
some cases its successful management has led to the creation of new natural habitats.
Many quarry operators solicit the help of biodiversity specialists and work in partnership
with government, communities and other stakeholders on biodiversity. For more
information and examples of biodiversity case study, please visit the website:
www.mineralsday.eu/biodiversity/
In terms of resource efficiency, this is an integral part of the extraction and production
process in the European minerals sector: sustainable extraction and processing as well
as the manufacturing of end-use applications, end-of-life recycling, recovery and
disposal are examples of ways in which the sector contributes to making optimum use
of the natural resources.
About 70% of EU manufacturing production depends on mined substances. A
sustainable supply of raw materials from European deposits is thus essential in order to
maintain a European Minerals Sector.
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European Minerals Forum 2010 Programme
9h30
Registration and Coffee
10h00
Welcome
10h05
The EU Raw Materials Initiative – What next?
EC VICE-PRESIDENT ANTONIO TAJANI
Responses
Jean-Marie Chandelle
Thomas Drnek
Michelle Wyart-Remy
Jim O’Brien
11h20
Chief Executive, CEMBUREAU
President, Euromines
Secretary General, IMA-Europe
President, UEPG
Improving Planning Policies, Permitting Procedures and Developing
Geological Information Base in the EU
Robert Wasserbacher, Legal Adviser, FSKI, Leoben Review - Main
Conclusions
Raimo Benger, Trade Association for Construction Materials and Natural
Stone (WBN), Germany/Holger Bartels, President Environment, IG BAU –
Joint Employer Union Statement on the security of continued minerals supply
Thomas From, Vice-Managing Director, SveMin, Bringing down Permitting
times in Sweden
Hugh Lucas, Head of Planning and Estates, Aggregates Industry –
Modernising the planning system – The UK case
Michael Schulz, President BKS Germany – Reconciling Mineral Planning
with Natura 2000 in Germany
Slavko V. Šolar, EC SARMa Initiative for Developing Minerals Planning
Systems in South East Europe
César Luaces Frades, Director General, ANEFA, Spain - conclusions
12h15
European Technology Platform on Sustainable Mineral Resources
Göran Bäckblom, Chairman of the Steering Committee
12h45
Buffet Lunch and Networking
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El Puente gravel pit, Holcim Spain, UEPG Award 2010
13h45
Setting up biodiversity targets, indicators and strategy 2010-2015
Claudia Olazabal, European Commission, Bio-diversity, DG
Environment
Gérard Bos, Relationship Manager, Holcim
Jim Rushworth, Vice President Environment and Public Affairs Quarries,
Aggregates & Concrete, Lafarge
Tim Stokes, Regional Vice President, Communications and Public Affairs
European Middle Asia & Australia, Cemex
Michael Rademacher, Manager Biodiversity and Natural Resources,
HeidelbergCement
Damien Grégoire, Environment Director, Carmeuse
Robert Wasserbacher, FSKI - Open discussion and conclusion
15h00
Challenges and Opportunities in achieving Recycling Targets
Geert Cuperus, Secretary General, Fédération Internationale du
Recyclage
Jean-Marc Vanbelle, UEPG Technical Committee Chair,
Quality Manager, Holcim, Belgium
Open discussion and conclusion
15h45
Essentiality of Minerals to the EU economy and reforming Public
Procurement
Dominico Savoca, Project Manager & Francesco Castagna, Secretary
General, ANEPLA – The contribution of minerals to the Region Lombardy
Simon Van Der Byl, Secretary General, European Asphalt Pavement
Association (EAPA) – Essentiality of infrastructure networks
16h45
The Way Forward by Jim O’Brien, UEPG President
17h00
End of the Forum
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Jean-Marie CHANDELLE
Chief Executive
CEMBUREAU
The EU Raw Materials Initiative – What next? CEMBUREAU’s position
CEMBUREAU acknowledges the value of the Raw Materials Initiative and the hard
work undertaken by the European Commission and relevant stakeholders within the
Raw Materials Supply Group.
Foster sustainable supply of raw materials from European sources
Limestone is the key raw material for the cement production. Limestone deposits are
abundant in the EU; therefore CEMBUREAU is particularly concerned with the second
pillar of the Raw Materials Initiative, that is, the improvement of the framework
conditions for mineral extraction from European sources in order to facilitate the
sustainable supply of raw materials from European deposits. Therefore CEMBUREAU
has welcomed the report recently released by DG ENT ―Improving Framework
conditions for Extracting Minerals for the EU‖ and agrees in the importance given to
land use planning policy and to the proposal of a ―one-stop-shop‖ system for permitting.
The exploitation of limestone deposits, either in existing quarries as well as nondeveloped quarries, faces competition from different land use. This element is raised
in the European Commission‘s report. Although no specific indicator for land use has
been identified, CEMBUREAU recommends the following:
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the need for further analysis with a view to securing better access to land,
fair treatment of extraction vis-à-vis other competing land uses and
developing a more streamlined permitting processes, as recommended by the
ad hoc group created under the umbrella of the Raw Materials Supply Group.
CEMBUREAU is highly supportive of avoiding hierarchical applications by joining the
authorities involved in an application for authorisation via a ―one-stop-shop‖ system
with all environmental aspects assessed in one single process. This initiative will be a
great contribution of the ad-hoc Working Group on Exchanging Best Practice on Land
Use Planning, Permitting and Geological Knowledge Sharing as it would bring
dynamicity to what is, as stated in the report, an extremely heavy, long and expensive
administrative processes.
Access to raw materials on world markets at undistorted conditions
The findings by DG Trade adequately put into perspective the issues related to
guaranteeing the international supply of raw materials for the EU. Nevertheless,
CEMBUREAU highly recommends that an assessment of the difficulties faced by the
extractive industries when securing their raw materials supply from the EU should also
be conducted.
Like aggregates, whilst limestone is generally available at both European and national
levels, economically viable regional and local access may be severely constrained.
Limestone is heavy and bulky, so it is imperative for economic and environmental
reasons (transport, fuel consumption, carbon dioxide generation, noise, road damage,
etc) that limestone is sourced close to the main, local, market.
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Therefore, unless there is Europe-wide acceptance of a strategy to provide viable local
provision, the necessary future supply of limestone at a local level will become even
more acute, and this will quickly spread to the regional and, subsequently, to the
national level. At EU-level this might eventually lead to plant closures, and to an
increase in imports of ready-made products which are currently produced in the EU,
like cement.
Reduce the EU’s consumption of primary raw materials
Recycling is a key issue to the Raw Materials Initiative strategy for resource efficiency.
Cement itself is not recyclable. However, the recovery of concrete falls between
standard definitions of reuse and recycling: concrete is broken down into aggregates
(granular material), generally to be used in road works, but also as aggregates in new
concrete. Recovering concrete has two main advantages: it reduces the use of new
virgin aggregate and the associated environmental costs of exploitation and
transportation, and it reduces landfill of valuable materials.
CEMBUREAU would like to see a reference to the environmentally relevant recovery
that takes place in cement production as far as waste from various other industry
sectors are recovered either in the process, as substitutes for fuels and raw materials
through co-processing, or in the product, as substitutes for clinker in cement.
The co-processing of waste in the cement industry provides a maximum substitution of
non renewable materials. Alternative raw materials can be used to replace the
traditional raw materials extracted from quarries, such as clay, shale and limestone,
which are used in the kiln. The use of alternative raw materials has numerous benefits,
including a reduced need for quarrying and an improved environmental footprint of
such activities.
Substitution of clinker in cement is an example of the positive contribution of the
European cement industry to resource efficiency. Two major examples are granulated
blast furnace slag, a by-product of the iron manufacturing process, and fly ashes, one
of the residues generated from the combustion of coal.
Final remarks
CEMBUREAU looks forward to the Communication on the Raw Materials Initiative and
would like to see the cement industry issues also contemplated in the document.
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Thomas DRNEK
President
EUROMINES
EUROMINES comments on the new Communication on
The Raw Materials Initiative – Putting the strategy into practice
A Change in Industrial Policy for Europe
EUROMINES welcomes the fact that the EU‘s policy recognises the importance of raw
materials for the EU in a series of policy document lately issued, such as the Agenda
2020, the Industrial Policy, the Energy Policy and last, but foremost, in the new
Communication on the Raw Materials Initiative.
Achievements appreciated and further needs
EUROMINES welcomes the work that has been conducted with regard to defining
criticality and to assess raw materials against the criteria defined. We welcome the
Commission‘s announcement that they wish to regularly update this assessment taking
into consideration also other raw materials and EUROMINES is committed to continue
working with the Commission to conduct the reviews and additional analysis.
Equally the identification of Best Practices has been extremely useful and is providing a
good impetus for improvements at Member State level which is already being reflected
in the latest revisions of national mineral policies, which are now emerging.
Access to Resources in third countries
General Trade Policy
Whilst EUROMINES recognises the motivation for actions to facilitate the access to
some raw materials in the short-term to safeguard the viability of its downstream
industry, the European extractive industry would like to highlight that such actions
might only provide punctual short-term solutions, but not long-term solutions. On the
contrary, these actions might even in some cases be delaying the necessary
investments for longer term solutions.
At the same time such actions take no consideration of the lack of sustainability (longterm availability, sustainability in terms of environmental protection and health and
safety) of such raw materials being supplied to downstream industries which would be
ignoring the declared objectives of the EU‘s policies on Sustainable Production and
Consumption and the Sustainable Use of Natural Resources. Sustainable supply of
raw materials no longer should be understood as a maintained low cost supply, but a
supply of raw materials adhering to sustainability criteria.
Therefore sustainability aspects need to be integrated into the EU’s Trade policy.
Equally negotiations of free trade agreements need to include sustainability
chapters and conditions.
Strategic Partnerships
The work with strategic partners is a valid step forward, but should also look at new
strategic partnerships which could be built up from scratch and equally needs to
include sustainability criteria and where necessary supporting measures for capacity
building.
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Development Policy/Africa: sustainable supply of raw materials
EUROMINES welcomes the Commission‘s intentions to strengthen the cooperation
with Africa by supporting
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Governance,
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Investments and infrastructure, and

Geological knowledge and skills.
EUROMINES would be prepared to assist the Commission with regard to
capacity building in governance and would in turn appreciate support in
investment and infrastructure policies and discussions.
Fostering Supply within the EU
EUROMINES welcomes the Commission‘s proposal to develop a mechanism together
with the Member States to monitor developments in the raw materials policy area in the
Member States, namely on Minerals Policies, Land-planning policies, and efficiency of
permitting procedures for exploration and extraction. However, the industry would
appreciate also a stronger commitment from Member States to development of
up-to-date geological information, permitting procedures and national exploration
programmes.
EUROMINES has supported and welcomed the new guidance on extraction in Natura
2000 sites. However, the implementation in the regions and Member States still needs
to prove that things will actually improve.
Raw materials concerns: Integration into other legislation
Raw materials issues need to be taken into account when issuing further legislation. A
continued unilateral greening of legislation in the EU without global and verifiable
commitments by other countries is in contradiction to the declared EU‘s industrial policy
which states that ―Europe needs industry and industry needs Europe‖. Unnecessarily
ambitious (and in some cases unjustified) EU environmental and health and safety
legislation continues to jeopardise in many cases the viability of operations and the
investment in new ones due to a continuously changing framework that puts European
enterprises at a serious economic disadvantage. The decisions on benchmarking in the
context of the ETS on CO and the proposed ETS on NOx/SO2 are such examples.
RTD and Innovation
EUROMINES welcomes the Commission‘s EU 2020 Flagship on Innovation Union and
is committed to join the Innovation Partnership ―Non-Energy Raw Materials for a
modern society.‖
Through its ETP SMR is has developed a strategic research agenda that can serve as
a basis for developing this partnership.
Furthermore it would be needed that EU and Member States increase their support for
education in and for the sector in order to increase the needed capacities which are
foreseeable for the future.
Currently; re-opening a mining department at a European university is almost as
difficult as reopening a closed mine.
Resource efficiency and recycling
The extractive industry is committed to resource efficiency. However, in order to
guarantee that future extraction, processing and recycling activities remain competitive
and sustainable it is important to assess the impact of legislative proposals on the
whole supply chain. The RMI has ascertained that mineral resources are not ―scarce‖,
but supply bottlenecks are occurring. Resource prices will not increase indefinitely, but
will fall eventually. Insisting on certification of recycling installations to manage wastes
and end-of-life products on the one hand and accepting primary raw materials supply
‖no-questions-asked‖ is hypocritical and should not be acceptable for the EU.
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The use of recycling certificates as market-based instruments would only work on a
worldwide level and would only promote the use of certain materials vis-à-vis others
without consideration of their functionality. This will lead to complete distortion of
markets. Such proposals need much more in-depth analysis and understanding before
being implemented if the EU does not want to jeopardise the competitiveness of
various downstream industries.
Equally, taxation on the use of primary raw materials could have potentially detrimental
impact on downstream industries and could provide additional encouragement to
relocate to areas closer to future markets where such taxation does not exist.
Resource efficiency for the non-energy extractive industry – apart from saving on the
use of energy and water - means increased beneficiation of ores and concentrates and
extended life-times of mines and quarries to delay the need to open a new one in a
new location. This should be considered when extensions of existing mines/quarries or
reworking of old tailings are being discussed in permitting negotiations.
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Michelle WYART-REMY
Secretary-General
IMA-Europe
Industrial Minerals contribution to the “Resource Efficiency” pillar
IMA-Europe represents 500 companies (685 mines & quarries, 750 plants), employing
42.500 employees producing in the EU, Norway, Switzerland, Turkey and Ukraine
more than 180 million tpa, for a value exceeding EUR 10 billion.
IMA-Europe and its Members welcomed the Raw Materials Initiative (RMI) and are
anxious to see the new Raw Materials Policy taking shape. Among the RMI three
pillars, ―Resource Efficiency‖ will be a key one. Very often, the industrial minerals which
IMA-Europe represents are described as non recyclable. It is true that industrial
minerals have in common that they represent a small portion of the financial and
environmental costs of the products they help making, whilst providing important
functionalities. The flip side is that industrial minerals are so embedded in the products
which they help to improve, that recycling, in the strict sense of the term, is merely not
possible. Does this mean that Industrial Minerals have no role to play in the global
resource efficiency improvement effort? Definitely yes, they do have a role to play.
Here are a few reasons why.
First of all, Industrial minerals participate to improving resource efficiency by
replacing other, scarcer, more expensive and less environmentally friendly
resources.
With a carbon footprint well below organic compounds, they are a valuable choice for
developing low carbon footprint products. A few examples:
- Various types of plastics are increasingly being replaced by easily recyclable
mineral-reinforced polypropylene (PP). Talc improves the rigidity of PP, enabling
down-gauging of the end product and decreasing the PP consumption. In
automotive applications it enables overall vehicle weight to be reduced, leading to
fuel savings.
- Silica in tyres saves synthetic rubber, but all the more reduces petrol consumption of
the cars allowing the development of a new generation of energy saver tyres;
- Perlite and vermiculite in bricks increases building insulation and contributes to
energy savings;
- Calcined kaolin with a high specific surface gets such opacity performances that it
allows reducing the use of pigments and resins in paints;
- Carbonates in polyethylene films reduce raw materials consumption while rending
breathable the film used in anti-irritating baby diapers,
- Minerals in paper allow reducing cellulose consumption and doing so improve the
full paper footprint, being an example of a better performance of a non-renewable
resource compared to a renewable one.
Second, the European Industrial Mineral industry improves the quality of the
products to permanently help their customers increase efficiency of usage.
As an example, the EU consumes only 10 kg magnesia per tonne of steel, while 23 kg
of magnesia is used per tonne of steel produced in China, and the mean consumption
of magnesia is 15 kg per tonne of steel worldwide. One may also mention that highquality kaolin for sanitary purpose may decrease by a factor of 5 the losses by cracking
during the first firing of the ceramic pieces, greatly improving the efficiency of the
resource. Another example could be given by the better sizing of calcium carbonates
grain that has allowed the down gauging of polyethylene films.
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Third, the industrial mineral industry permanently strives for sustainable mining
and processing, the first step in resource efficiency.
Since ever, the efficient management of the resource is one of the utmost priorities of
the owners and managers of a deposit. Sustainable mining consists in producing at the
lowest possible costs, notably in terms of energy and water consumption, the highest
possible qualities while supplying at lower prices the less valuable grades to the
adequate downstream markets. Making the best of the resource in a sustainable
manner is a driver of any economically viable mining company. The environmental
concerns have generally enhanced the quest for higher energy and CO2 efficiency, not
initiated it.
For instance most of the limestone deposits are entirely mined. The part of the
resource which is not of the quality required for the production of pure calcium
carbonate and/or lime will go for other industrial applications or civil engineering. The
variety of downstream applications is generated by the need to fully valorise the
available resources. Nevertheless, when the ore is mined to get a specific rare or
critical raw material which is indispensable and not substitutable for a specific use,
depending of the yield and of the quality of the secondary material, such an ideal
sustainable mining is not always possible and the excavated rocks will go back to the
hole.
In that respect one may regret that the decision taken in the Emission Trading Scheme
rules for harmonised allocations did not permit for differentiating technologies in
benchmarks setting. It cannot indeed be ignored that horizontal kilns are beneficial for
the valorisation of the resource allowing for calcination of the smaller limestone pebbles
while they are greater CO2 emitters than the vertical kilns and would therefore have
deserved a higher benchmark should their role for a sustainable management of the
reserves be acknowledged.
Fourth: Industrial minerals may not be recyclable strictly speaking, however they
are highly recoverable.
As previously explained, Industrial Minerals are, almost by definition, difficult to recycle,
because they provide efficient and inexpensive functionality. Therefore, the recycling
rate for most industrial minerals seems to be very low or nil. However most of their endapplications are themselves recycled, in such a way that industrial minerals are
recovered through the recycling of the products which contain them. Industrial minerals
recovery is generally not properly acknowledged and quantified. For instance, while in
glass feldspar and silica sand are not directly recycled, there is a lot of recycling of
glass, which contains feldspar and silica sand, and consequently they are recovered
through glass recycling. Many examples may be mentioned in addition to glass
recycling such as the recycling of paper, paperboard, and loaded polypropylene, but
also recycled building materials which are re-used in base courses (road sub-layers) or
lean concrete.
Fifth, industrial minerals are available and will be available as long as the
industrial minerals industry will be healthy.
Many industrial minerals are ubiquitous and for some there are still wide reserves in
comparison with other mineral resources. Feldspar is the most common mineral on
Earth forming up to 60% of the Earth crust, while silica is the second mineral forming
12% of the Earth crust and limestone may be found everywhere around the globe.
However not all grades are widely spread and geology designs the availability not only
of minerals, but also of their various qualities and grades. In such a context, the main
issue concerns exploration and technological developments that will allow for a
sustainable exploitation of resources, not geological scarcity.
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In that respect access to resources is essential and the industrial minerals industry, as
other extractive sectors, compete with other land uses (e.g. urban, agricultural, other
industrial uses or nature protection). In most cases, resources have to be produced
close to the manufacturing industries which use them. In the case of lime production
and for identical production processes, doubling the mean transport distance between
production and supply (i.e. around 150 km) leads to an increase of the CO 2 footprint
(calculated on combustion CO2) by 6%.
Resource efficiency for industrial minerals is a much integrated concept which does not
limit itself to the reduction of the consumption of the minerals, but takes into
consideration the full life-cycle of the end-applications from cradle to grave. It requires
holistic approaches, not simplistic ones.
For instance, decoupling is not limited to reducing raw materials mass flows. While it
implies access to high quality, not necessarily available data, an integrated macro-level
approach for developing the resource efficiency indicators should be favoured
compared to the use of the Domestic Materials Consumption (DMC). Furthermore, in
comparing virgin and recycled/secondary raw materials efficiency, the impacts of waste
collection, selection and recycling have to be accounted. Finally, focusing just on virgin
raw materials consumption in the EU (e.g. through taxes) will neither help develop
more resource efficient products, nor educate the consumer to make use of resource
efficient products.
Industrial Minerals are not left on the side of the road when it comes to resource
efficiency. On the contrary, they are in the centre of the game and using more
industrial minerals, may mean being more efficient for the global use of
resources.
Let me conclude on the criticality exercise. DG Enterprise may be congratulated for
the work undertaken to come up with a rational analysis of criticality of raw materials.
Industrial minerals are not critical. There are many reasons to that, but some are linked
to the methodology itself:
- The analysis was made on global data, not taking into account the geographic factor.
Just for yourself, try to think of an area without aggregates in the next two hundred
kilometres. Try to think of a ceramic industry that would need to import its feldspar
from India or China. This would be an uncompetitive industry. This should be taken
into account in the methodology. This factor actually makes industrial minerals, not
critical globally, but essential locally.
- The methodology could not take into account the fact that for the same raw material,
some grades are at higher risks than others, in particular high grades. The statistical
data quality and the methodology hardly allow for such distinction. In that respect
the high grade limestone case highlighted the issue, but no actual solution was
found. Some other raw materials, notably minerals, may suffer from this weakness,
e.g. the criticality of Chinese talc for high performance polypropylene probably
deserves to be assessed separately, but this will be difficult due to the absence of
available data.
- Last not least we all worked hard to supply as reliable data as possible, but we need
to be prepared for the next round of evaluation, to have more accurate data
available.
Many challenges are in front of us, this will require a lot of effort and more commitment
from industry. No need to say that only a healthy and powerful industry can achieve
this.
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Jim O’BRIEN
President
UEPG - European Aggregates Association
The imperative for Access to Local Aggregates Resources
Aggregates (that is crushed stone, sand and gravel) are an essential ingredient of the
key building components that make up the residential, social and commercial
infrastructure of modern European society.
UEPG, the European Aggregates Association, has welcomed the Raw Materials
Initiative and has urged the EU Institutions to develop a comprehensive European Raw
Materials Strategy to ensure a sustainable and long-term supply of aggregates.
The demand for Aggregates in Europe in 2009 was 3 billion tonnes per year, produced
mainly by SMEs (Small and Medium-sized Enterprises) on 22,000 sites across Europe.
The EU average use of Aggregates in 2009 was 6 tonnes per capita. The Aggregates
Industry is by far the largest in the minerals sector by tonnages produced. Taking an
EU average price of €7-8/tonne, the aggregates sector represent a turnover of around
€20-25 billion, though it has suffered heavily under the current economic crisis,
reporting an average decline of about 20% in 2009 compared to 2008. In several
countries, there are further volume declines being reported in 2010, indicating the true
depth of the current recession.
The aggregates industry has also been facing increasing difficulty gaining access to
vital local aggregate resources. This has affected not only key supplies needed by the
EU economy, but also the industry‘s economic performance, in itself a pre-condition for
long term sustainable development. The industry indeed appreciates the need to
preserve resources and actively encourages the use of recycled aggregates in this
context. In some member states the amount of recycled aggregates is already near
the saturation point of usable demolition materials, though then at best accounts for
only some 25% of national aggregates production. However across Europe only 6% of
aggregates demand now comes from recycled materials. Therefore aggregate supplies
will predominantly continue to come from natural resources.
While there is general availability of indigenous aggregates at European and national
levels, economically viable regional and local supply of aggregates is often constrained
by difficulties in achieving access to aggregate deposits and by the exceptionally long
duration of permitting processes. Therefore, unless there is the acceptance Europewide of a focused strategy to provide viable local provision, the necessary future supply
of aggregates will become even more critical, resulting in increased aggregate
transport with the associated energy costs and CO2 emissions.
The emphasis on local supply stems from the nature of aggregates consumption, which
unlike other minerals, is not concentrated in single localities, but is distributed over
wide areas. Hence transport of aggregates from the producer to the user is a key issue
because of their bulk, weight and low unit costs, and accounts for the bulk of CO2
emissions from the aggregates sector.
Some 90% overall of all aggregates come from naturally-occurring deposits, the
remaining 10% coming from recycled materials, marine and manufactured aggregates.
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The production of recycled and marine aggregates will continue to grow, however
longer-term some 85% of demand will still need to come from natural aggregates. As
aggregates are heavy and bulky, it is imperative for economic and environmental
reasons that these are sourced local to the main markets, particularly where transport by
rail or ship is not possible, as is usually the case.
Therefore access to local aggregate resources is a key, fundamental and critical issue
both for the aggregates industry and for European society.
The 2010 Leoben Review
In mid-2010, UEPG submitted the report ―Planning Policies and Permitting Procedures
to Ensure the Sustainable Supply of Aggregates in Europe‖, prepared for UEPG by the
prestigious University of Leoben, to the Raw Materials Initiative. Its conclusions were
also reinforced during presentations at the European Minerals Conference in Madrid.
Based on extensive analysis, the Report concluded that the demand for aggregates
continues to grow with economic development at national and European levels.
Empirical evidence shows that advanced economies can demand up to12
tonnes/capita, though this growth may suffer shorter-term positive or negative
influences from economic boom or recession respectively. Therefore it is reasonable
to anticipate that European demand for aggregates will recover and will reach 4 billion
tonnes in the medium term, driven mainly by economic growth in Central and SouthEastern Europe.
The Report analysed Minerals Policies across Europe, and more specifically
Aggregates Planning Policies in the Member States. It concluded that only very few
Member States have a well-structured approach to address the future sustainable
supply of aggregates. This may reflect a lack of understanding of the vital role of
aggregates in fulfilling society‘s physical needs. Therefore in the absence of such
policies, aggregate supplies may become critical in several regions, leading to local
supply deficiencies, with costly consequential inefficiencies in transport, energy usage
and CO2 emissions. Hence the urgent need for establishing Aggregates Planning
Policies in all Member States.
The Report then reviewed the associated Permitting Systems for extraction of
aggregates in the Member States. It concluded that, in most cases, the Permitting
Systems are unduly complex and slow, unnecessarily constraining access to
resources, and that many permissions eventually granted are too short to justify
adequate investments. In some Member States, planning systems are so inconsistent
or defective as to foster unpermitted operators, often bringing the industry into
disrepute.
In essence, each Member State needs to develop a simplified, more rapid, permitting
system, ideally as a ―one-stop-shop‖, or the equivalent thereof, by rationalising links
and procedures between national, regional and local agencies involved, while insisting
on continued industry excellence in environmental and social performance.
The Leoben Report concluded with recommendations to the Raw Materials Initiative
urging the EU Institutions to urge the development of a comprehensive European Raw
Materials Strategy for aggregates in each Member State. This should specifically focus
on the development of Aggregates Planning Policies and thorough, timely and
consistent Permitting Systems in each Member States, to ensure a sustainable and
long-term access to local aggregate deposits throughout Europe.
15
The Industry’s key role in Enhancing Biodiversity
The responsible aggregates industry has much improved its environmental
performance in recent years, and there is increasing focus in achieving biodiversity
excellence in Natura 2000 areas. The industry is very pleased that the EC Guidance
Document ―Non-Energy Mineral Extraction and Natura 2000‖ clearly acknowledges that
Natura 2000 designations should not a priori exclude extraction activities. In fact
several recent scientific studies have shown that quarries and pits are havens for
enhancing Biodiversity. UEPG has partnered with IUCN in promoting Biodiversity since
2007, initially in ―Countdown 2010‖ and now as a highly committed partner in the B@B
Platform. UEPG has promoted its Sustainable Development Awards in 2010, and the
winners showcased excellence in Biodiversity, restoration, environmental, health &
safety and social performance.
16
Robert WASSERBACHER
Legal Adviser
Fachverband der Stein - und keramischen Industrie Österreich
(FSKI)
Leoben Review
In 2004 the University of Leoben published a Study on ―Minerals Planning Policies and
Supply Practices in Europe‖, commissioned by the European Commission. The study
has been a key reference in relation to identifying actions to promote the exchange of
best practices in the area of land use planning and administrative conditions for
exploration and extraction. It highlighted a number of elements of best practice in
relation to raw materials, covering minerals policy, application and authorisation
processes, land use planning, and codes and technical guidance notes.
In 2010, in the light of the work of the ad-hoc Working Groups, sub-groups of the Raw
Materials Supply Group, UEPG approached the University of Leoben, based on its
extensive background on minerals policy matters, to contribute to the ad-hoc Working
Groups‘ work. The reports of the ad-hoc Working Groups would be delivered to the
Council for? implementation into the Raw Materials Initiative by the end of 2010 and for
an interim Report in June 2010. Thus, the UEPG proposal to Leoben University on this
issue would be to present the Aggregates sector‘s context, concerns and position in
Europe with relevant data.
UEPG with the support of our Austrian colleagues, Fachverband der Stein- und
keramischen Industrie Österreich met in February 2010 the Professors Moser, Tiess,
Wagner of Leoben University specializing in Mining, raw materials Planning policies
and Supply practices in Europe, to work together on a study. The University of Leoben
agreed to carry out a highly-focused short review on behalf of UEPG, based on its
knowledge of the aggregates industry, plus some knowledge mutually exchanged with
the UK-based Land Use Consultants. This was planned to be delivered by the end of
May 2010 to the European Commission calling for a better and sustainable planning
policies in Europe.
On the occasion of the Madrid "European Minerals Conference 2010 - European Union
Commodity Initiative: Sustainable Access to resources in Europe" of 16 - 18 June
2010, organized by the Ministry of Industry, Tourism and Trade under the Spanish
Presidency, Jim O'Brien, President UEPG, handed over to Commissioner VicePresident Antonio Tajani the Leoben Report. In a letter to UEPG Antonio Tajani
thanked UEPG for supporting the Raw Materials Initiative and in particular for the
contribution to the land use planning ad-hoc Working Group. In this context, the
Leoben Review of 2010 and its findings is the centre-piece of UEPG‘s contribution.
The Leoben Review is composed of 7 chapters. The first chapter introduced the
concerns of the Aggregates Industry. Although UEPG welcomed the Raw Materials
Initiative (RMI) and it has been contributing to the Initiative, UEPG is concerned that
the importance of a viable aggregates industry for the future development of Europe is
not fully appreciated by the Commission, and that recommendations specific to the
long term supply of aggregates might not be formal part of the conclusions and
recommendations of the RMI.
17
Chapter 2 depicted the current and future aggregates demand and supply in Europe. It
concluded that, based on extensive data on national and European consumption and
economic development profiles, the demand for aggregates in Europe will continue to
rise or at least stagnate. As economies continue to grow, this could potentially require
aggregate demand to rise from the current 6 tonnes/capita to as much as 9-12
tonnes/capita, indicating steadily growing future demand. Currently recycled
aggregates comprise only some 6% of total European output (though this may be an
underestimate), already reaching limits in some countries: it is unlikely in the medium
term that recycled aggregates will be more than 10% of total European aggregates
production. This highlights the need for a policy to ensure sustainable supply of natural
aggregates in Europe into the future, and for economic and environmental reasons, this
necessitates access to local raw material resources.
Chapter 3 analysed Minerals Policies across Europe, and more specifically Aggregates
Planning Policies in the Member States. It concluded that only very few Member States
have a well-structured approach to address the future sustainable supply of
aggregates. This unfortunately appears to reflect a lack of understanding of the vital
role of aggregates in fulfilling society‘s physical needs. Therefore in the absence of
such policies, aggregate supplies may become critical in several regions, leading to
local supply deficiencies, with costly consequential inefficiencies in transport, energy
usage and CO2 emissions. Hence the urgent need for Aggregates Planning Policies in
all Member States.
Chapter 4 reviewed the associated Permitting Systems for extraction of aggregates in
the Member States. It concluded that, in most Member States, the Permitting Systems
are unduly complex and slow, unnecessarily constraining access to resources, and that
many permissions eventually granted are too short to justify adequate investments.
The aggregates industry has much improved its environmental performance in recent
years, and there is increasing focus in achieving the requirements of Natura 2000
areas. Therefore each Member State needs to develop a simplified, more rapid,
permitting system, ideally as a ―one-stop-shop‖, or the equivalent thereof, by
rationalising links and procedures between national, regional and local agencies often
involved, while insisting on continued industry excellence in environmental and social
performance.
Chapter 5 summarised the conclusions of the previous chapters, and makes a number
of key recommendations for adoption by the RMI in order to ensure the sustainable and
long-term supply of aggregates in Europe.
It is recommended that
- all conclusions of this Review should be incorporated into the recommendations
of the Raw Materials Initiative and be included in its final report.
- the Raw Materials Initiative should encourage appropriate actions by the
European Commission to implement these conclusions in a timely manner, as
appropriate within all the Member States.
- Progress should be reviewed by a successor to the Raw Materials Initiative on
an annual basis over the next 5 years to ensure that effective follow-up actions
are put in place and efficiently implemented in all the Member States.
18
Raimo BENGER
Chief Executive
Wbn-baustoffe
Improving Planning Policies, permitting Procedures and developing a Geological
Information base in the EU
For me/us it is quite usual for our association and our social partner, the union IG Bau
to cooperate with one another. It is also extremely necessary.
And now I would like to tell you about the reasons for this necessity.
In order to improve Planning Policies we have to understand the different levels which
are important for getting a permit for a quarry. So now I should perhaps explain the
relationship between European, national and regional laws on raw materials in our
industry.
In my opinion there should be a European framework regulation on mineral planning
and the permit procedure - with the aim to have a similar planning and permit
procedure within Europe for the aggregates industry.
It is important and essential that the raw materials initiative formulates an EU policy for
a longer term supply of minerals. This should be made mandatory. Final objective
permission decisions should be taken at a higher level, far away from local politics. For
that we need a mandatory EU legislation.
One good example of an ongoing problem can be illustrated with the following:
In parts of Germany, the legislative power was transferred to local level from regional
level. This was a bad decision and in our opinion it should be immediately reversed.
Where planning policies are concerned, local level decision-making is a problem. Look
at planning policies and quarry permits. We frequently speak to environmental
associations and local people and do our best to keep to rules and regulations but the
people in the neighbourhood are often against any approvals for quarries or are not
open to discussions and tend to be ―anti‖ on principle. The philosophy of some who
are very loud in the public sphere is that although everyone needs raw materials, the
extraction of the said materials should take place elsewhere. They basically do not
want the disturbance involved, for example the dust, the noise or the traffic. But at the
end of the day they all need the products which result from the extraction of the raw
materials - greywacke for building streets and houses, limestone for the steel industry
and silica sand for the glass industry. They know that we need sand, gravel and
crushed rock. But they all keep to their motto of ―rather them than us‖. Keep away! Not
in my backyard!
Now that the planning and approval process is taking place on a local scale, local
politicians are allowed to decide if the operator gets an approval or a surface area in
his regional plan.
(In Germany you need a surface area in the so-called regional plan and after that you
can work towards the quarry for approval in the overall approval process).
19
The electors of the local politicians can obviously influence the decision somewhat,
which is of course difficult if a lot of them are against a quarry in the first place.
One further point is that, by European law, there must harmonize with Natura 2000.
There are a lot of examples in evidence. For example great care is taken to protect a
rare owl living in the walls of one quarry and a yellow-bellied toad which lives in
another. Up until now my trade association and marketing board has made two
common thread agreements with environmental organizations. This means that it is
possible to produce in a quarry and to protect the owls and other animals.
Unfortunately German authorities do not always adhere to the European law that I
mentioned.
So, coming back to my previous point, as long as decisions are made at local level
there will be problems. So this must change. European law and the messages of the
European raw materials initiative should be mandatory for national and regional laws.
The EU raw materials initiative is a good thing.
In order to achieve a reliable planning policy with reliable data, for a harmony between
nature and extracting raw materials, my association works together with our social
partner, the union IG BAU and with national environmental organizations. We need the
materials for our economy, for our state and for the people. We also have to save the
jobs in the industry and in related industries.
We work together but we need help from an EU policy which has to be
made mandatory in local areas.
20
Holger Bartels
Head of the Unit Agriculture – Environment
IG Bauen-Agrar-Umwelt
Joint Employer Union Statement on the security of continued minerals supply
Thank you for your invitation and the possibility of a joint statement with a business
association. This process is not spectacular, since the late 90's we share the
Sustainability Initiative in the cement industry in Germany.
The concept of sustainable development has its foundations in the discussion on
justice: justice towards individuals and towards society, but also justice between
generations and nations. When the topic of justice comes up, trade unionists inevitably
also think of justice in distribution, which constitutes a core element of sustainable
development.
Both sides of industry believe that ecological, economic and social requirements should
be better coordinated than in the past. These requirements need to be integrated at
every stage in the value chain: extraction of raw materials, cement production, concrete
production, construction and use, concrete recycling.
Many questions can only be solved if there is a common denominator to interests. The
interests of the environment must not take second place to the economic interests of
companies. And, of course, the social interests of people living in the region must not
take second place to the social interests of the workforce.
Acting in concert, we can achieve more, more for the environment, the people, the
companies. We must shape the future together.
21
Tomas FROM
Deputy managing director
SveMin – Swedish Association of Mining, Mineral and Metal Producers
Bringing down Permitting times in Sweden
-
Time to get permission; a real mine case
-
Proposals


-
Environmental Ambition Maintained
Permitting and monitoring should focus on activities with significant impacts
on the environment
Regulatory measures








Harmonise with IPPC /IED
In Sweden 5.000 facilities are obliged to seek permits
According to IPPC it should be 1.100.
Harmonise
with
Environmental
Impact
Assessment
Directive
In Sweden 3 – 4.000 assessments / year.
in Finland 25.
Reconsider and reduce to activities with significant impacts on the
environment
Expansions should be possible for the new parts only, and without a new full
permit procedure for the whole already existing facility
The permitting process is very time consuming and can be much improved
and the time significantly reduced
A positive and informing attitude of authorities with adequate resources and
competence
Clarify the expectations of authorities on applications.
Limit the possibility of the authorities to request new information at later
stages of the process.
-
Total emissions from Boliden Swedish Mines
-
Stekenjokk in production
-
Stekenjokk – closed and remediated mine site
22
Hugh Stewart LUCAS
Head of Planning & Estates
Aggregate Industries UK Ltd
Modernising the Planning System in the UK
All development in the UK requires a planning permission.
Minerals planning authorities are the County and Unitary authorities.
We have a plan led system but the system is slow and few up to date minerals plans
are in place.
Minerals are not evenly distributed and for aggregates we have a managed
aggregates supply system (MASS) that sets out the likely demand for aggregates and
the amount to be planned for within each region (having regard to resource
imbalances).
Reform of the local plan system is required to speed up plan delivery.
There are separate planning and environmental regulatory systems under separate
government departments. A recent review has identified much unnecessary duplication
and conflict between the two systems.
The new coalition government has a localism agenda for devolving planning to local
communities.
Industry is pressing for the retention of the essential elements of MASS as a framework
for planning reform for aggregate minerals.
The government may have published its Localism intentions by the time of the
conference.
23
Michael SCHULZ
President
BKS Bundesverband der Deutschen Kies- und Sandindustrie e.V.
Reconciling Mineral Planning with NATURA 2000 in Germany
Europe has numerous non-energy raw materials at its disposal, including great
quantities of raw materials for construction. Many of these are extracted in Germany.
They are vital for the construction industry in Germany, but, to some extent, also for the
industry in other member states.
The European Raw Materials Initiative of 2008 therefore aims to contribute to the
establishment of favourable framework conditions for the extraction of raw materials in
Europe in order to guarantee a reliable raw materials supply from European countries.
In reality, however, the situation at least in Germany is rather different. Access to local
mineral raw material deposits is insufficiently secured, sometimes even intentionally
inadequate, when politics, within the process of planning, ask for an assessment of the
needs for raw materials on a ―restrictive basis‖. The use of available deposits which,
from the geological point of view, would last for centuries to come is thus artificially
restricted through administrative measures. The reasons are manifold.
To begin with, in Germany mineral raw material deposits are not designated
independently according to the need of raw materials. In consequence thereof the
overlapping use of non-designated deposit areas for other purposes is easily possible.
On the other hand, designation of extraction areas according to the need of raw
materials, as stipulated by law, requires that the forecast of demand for the respective
foreseeable time period has been determined correctly. The forecast is, however,
frequently influenced by politics. Here, for instance, the consideration of an inflated use
of substitutes is a means to reduce the forecast for the demand of primary raw
materials. Bottlenecks in the supply of even sufficiently available local raw materials
are, in this way, pre-programmed.
In addition, extraction areas are frequently designated where deemed unattractive for
extraction enterprises. In Germany, for instance, there are nature protection, water
protection and Natura 2000 areas which are designated by own competent authorities
according to own criteria. However, there is no extraction planning for mineral raw
materials set up by own competent authorities according to own criteria. This means
regional spatial planning has the task of designating raw materials extraction areas
only after considering nature and water protection areas already determined. As a
consequence raw materials extraction is only permitted where other interests play little
or no role. This way ecological, economic and social interests are treated on an
unequal footing right from the very beginning.
The situation gets even worse if Natura 2000 and other areas are either flatly declared
taboo areas for raw materials extraction or are not available for other reasons.
Accordingly, in North Rhine-Westphalia, in the Düsseldorf administrative district, almost
the total surface area is protected against sand and gravel extraction. A mere 3% of the
total surface area is available as exploration areas for potential new extraction. There
are no sustainable technical examinations which positively justify the selection of these
residual areas. The quality of the remaining raw material deposits or the availability of
24
the residual areas under private law has not really been examined, a reconciliation with
deposits in other areas, such as in taboo areas, has not taken place. A reasonable
selection of workable deposits is, therefore, rather coincidental.
Of late in some areas in Germany considerations have arisen that the raw materials
gravel and sand, if they need to be extracted at all, should be restricted for use in the
home region only and not be sent to more distant destinations, in particular not abroad
(e.g. from the Lower Rhine area not to the Netherlands). This is brought about by
artificially decreasing the designation of new areas through deducting undesirable
exports from the need assessment, and by the designation of new extraction areas in
regions from where access to the foreign market is rather difficult. The designated
extraction areas are then no longer situated near rivers, for instance near the Rhine,
but somewhere in the interior (with some distance to the border), although gravel and
sand deposits near rivers are of a superior quality, and although these raw materials
can be transported in an environment-friendly way by river barges. In such cases the
Natura 2000 areas, frequently situated near rivers, serve as a (rather superficial)
justification. Only the designation across the board of these areas as taboo areas for
minerals extraction makes it possible to prevent nearly in total the supply, for instance,
of the Dutch market with materials extracted near the Rhine and transported there by
river barge. In this case this is not a direct ban on exports, but amounts to such and
could accordingly be considered to be in contradiction to the European Single Market
rules.
The recently published ―Guidelines‖ of the European Commission on the Natura 2000
areas state something quite different. They affirm that ―non-energy extractive industry
projects in and around Natura 2000 sites are not automatically excluded‖. The fact is
stressed that ―the non-energy extractive industry also makes an important positive
contribution to biodiversity conservation‖. As regards spatial planning, the ―Guidelines‖
state: ―Natura 2000 areas do not a priori prohibit mineral extraction.‖ In this case,
however, a recommendation follows to possibly identify alternative extraction areas
where there is a lower risk of potential conflicts and then to conduct a comparative
assessment of all respective areas (Guidance Document, sections 2, 3 and 4, pages
15, 28 and 41). Prerequisite for this comparative assessment is "a good knowledge not
only of where the mineral resources occur but also about access, quality and feasibility
for the mineral extraction‖ (Guidance Document, section 6, page 63). After all, an
outright taboo on Natura 2000 areas is not the aim of the ―Guidelines‖. In individual
cases raw materials may be extracted in these areas, too, for instance if the required
sites are under private law only or primarily available there. After Natura 2000 areas
were initially only designated according to purely nature protection aspects, evidently
the aim is now to permit economic activities in such areas under certain conditions.
We would therefore welcome if the EU Commission could find ways and means to
implement its position in the EU member states, particularly in Germany. This could be
supported by including the construction raw materials in the category of ―critical raw
materials‖, keeping in mind that access is extremely limited due to administrative
means. Constraints on the raw materials industry, as far as the industry is exportoriented (due to insufficient designation of extraction areas, due to designation of
locations detrimental to exports) should be termed as contrary to the rules of the
European Community. After all it is quite absurd to strive towards securing
discrimination-free access to raw materials on the world market (the primary aim of the
Raw Materials Initiative), if at the same time EU member states set limitations on intraEuropean trade with construction raw materials due to inadequate spatial planning. The
credibility of the entire Raw Materials Initiative is at stake.
Conclusion: The European Raw Materials Initiative merits respect and support. Its
implementation into national regulations ought to be promoted.
25
Slavko ŠOLAR
Lead Partner
Geological Survey of Slovenia, SARMa
&
Deborah Shields, Colorado State University, Politecnico di Torino,
SARMa Consultant
EC SARMa Initiative for Developing Minerals Planning Systems in South East
Europe
Aggregates are used in the construction of housing, commercial buildings, industrial
developments and a variety of public infrastructure projects. They are essential raw
materials that, while seldom at the centre of concern about mineral availability,
nonetheless warrant the attention of planners and policy makers due to specific
characteristics: ubiquitous production, large volumes, low unit price and consequent
low value-to-volume ratio and transportation limitations, high total value of production,
etc. Planning for supply is crucial in order to ensure undistorted flow of this raw
material to economies and society.
As a result of the global recession, construction activity has decreased significantly in
many parts of the world, which in turn has decreased demand for and as a result
production of aggregates. Preliminary USGS estimates indicate that US aggregate
production decreased approximately 24 % between 2008 and 2009. It is estimated by
the authors that reductions in Europe are ranging from 15 to 40 %, depending on the
country. Given the economic situation, some authors have suggested that the major
issue facing the aggregates sector is recovery from the recession. But longer term,
more fundamental concerns are at stake that will need to be dealt with. For aggregates
to be produced from new resources (or new areas associated with existing operations),
certain conditions will need to be met. These include the well recognized issues of
deposit quantity and quality, location, permitting, and environmental protection etc. In
addition, firms must be able to demonstrate that they can be profitable considering all
costs, including exploration, acquisition, permitting, operation, environmental controls,
compliance with regulations, transport to market, and reclamation. They will also need
a social license to operate.
There are differing interests with respect to, and competing goals for, land use.
Moreover, while individuals familiar with quarrying, construction, and the material
supply chain realize that provision of aggregates is essential to maintaining and
enhancing economic development and quality of life, that connection is not necessarily
obvious to people unfamiliar with the industry. And as a consequence, communities
frequently do not consider the importance of setting aside land for aggregates
extraction during their land planning processes. This problem is compounded by the
strong NIMBY factor associated with quarries, which is in turn exacerbated by poor
environmental and social practices and a lack of reclamation by some operations, as
well as the existence of illegal quarries.
Sustainable aggregates resource management (SARM) provides a framework for
addressing these complex issues. SARM requires that: (a) sufficient aggregates be
made available to meet the material needs of society, (b) eco-efficiency be practiced so
that resources are not wasted, (c) natural mineral capital be transformed into builtphysical, economic, environmental or social capital of equal or greater value, (d)
environmental, economic, social and corporate values and responsibilities be
recognized and addressed, (e) public debate before decision making be informed, so
26
that decisions are based on adequate, sufficient, unbiased information that is
understandable to all parties involved; and (f) tradeoffs regarding alternative land uses
be acknowledged.
The countries of Southeast Europe are rich in aggregates, but neither management nor
supply is coordinated within or across this area. The Sustainable Aggregates Resource
Management project (SARMa), an EU Southeast Europe (SEE) activity, has as its
objectives the development of common approaches to sustainable aggregate resource
management (SARM) and sustainable supply mix (SSM) planning in SEE. There are
open issues in SEE on the local scale as well as on regional/national and transnational
scales that will need to be addressed in order to meet societal expectations related not
only to the security of aggregates supply for economy, but also those linked to
environmental concerns and social issues. SARMa partners have identified salient
issues at all three scales and are gathering information, performing analyses, and
synthesizing results. The goal is to develop both overarching and scale specific
recommendations, as well as results targeted at various groups of stakeholders (local
community, industry, regional / national authorities).
Activities will connect institutional actors, decision makers, policy implementers,
economic sector, quarry operators, civil society, and NGOs through workshops and
targeted results at 3 spatial scales. Local: (a) Optimize the efficiency of primary
aggregates production, (b) prevent or minimize environmental impacts of quarrying
and improve reclamation, (c) minimize illegal quarrying by improving knowledge,
(d)promote recycling (construction, demolition & quarry waste), (e) increase interested
and affected groups‘ capacity. Regional/national: (a) assess and quantify aggregate
resources and relevant transportation links, (b) develop strategies for sustainably
managing aggregate resources, including in protected areas, considering aggregate
resources in land management and use planning, and harmonizing policies across
regions, (c)develop guidelines and procedures for SSM planning. Transnational: (a)
recommend methods for harmonizing SARM & SMM transregionally and
transnationally, (b) design a multi-purpose and multi-scale Aggregates Intelligence
System (AIS) as a long-term tool for know-how transfer. The follow-up action will be
preparation of a plan for a Regional Centre on SARM & SSM, to increase capacity of
all interested and affected groups through workshops, training, computerized tools and
educational materials.
27
Göran BÄCKBLOM
Chairman of the Steering Committee
ETP SMR
Senior Corporate Advisor
LKAB Group
&
Henryk KARAS’
Chairman of the High Level Group ETP SMR
Corporate Advisor, KGHM
European Technology Platform on Sustainable Mineral Resources
Raw materials are essential for the sustainable functioning of modern societies. To
meet the grand challenge of raw material supply, forceful efforts are needed in primary
extraction, in recycling and in substitution. For the European arena, metallic minerals
and ―high-tech‖ minerals are of particular interest, due to the large import dependency.
The extractive industry with its closely associated suppliers and producers is one of the
driving forces of European economy. This statement was truly underpinned by the G8
Summit meeting on Growth and Responsibility in the World economy in June 2007,
where the Heads of G8 States agreed that ―Raw materials produced by the extractive
sector are a key factor for sustainable growth in industrialised, emerging and
developing economies‖, further that ―Mineral resources have a great potential to
contribute to poverty alleviation and sustainable development and convinced on […]
the need to further enhancing the contribution of mineral resources to sustainable
growth.
In 2008 the EU launched the Raw Material Initiative (RMI) to secure reliable and
undistorted access to raw material as being ”crucial for the sound functioning of the
EU's economy”. Since then several statements have been made in connection with the
Presidencies of Czech (Prague Declaration), Sweden (Luleå Declaration) and Spain
(Madrid Declaration). It is generally acknowledged that the implementation of RMI
successfully would speed up the growth of economy within EU.
The members of ETP SMR support the EU2020 strategy to go out of the present crisis
and prepare EU economy for the next decade. We share the opinion which was stated
in the Europe 2020 strategy that by fostering knowledge and innovation and by making
production more resource efficient we can match big societal challenges, raise our
participation in the labour market and better fight against poverty. The three key drivers
of the new strategy including smart, sustainable and inclusive growth inscribe in some
way into the ETP SMR Strategic Research Agenda.
The Commission published in October 6, 2010 the flagship initiative ―Innovation Union‖.
The purpose is to accelerate research, development and market deployment of
innovations in order to tackle major societal challenges, pool expertise and resources
and boost the competitiveness of the EU industry. A number of issues have been
selected for so called Innovation Partnerships. One of these Innovation Partnerships
concerns the secure, reliable and undistorted access to raw materials as being crucial
for the sound functioning of the EU economy.
28
Minerals
Development of regions
Extractive industry
contributes to the
society!
Technology driver for
advanced materials, IT…
Tax revenues
Defining and establishing critical raw
materials base for European industry from
EU and non-EU sources
Innovation Union
Smart growth
Youth on the move
An industrial policy
for the globalisation era
A Digital Agenda
for Europe
Promote skills and focused research
on innovative exploration and extraction
technologies, recycling, materials
substitution and resource efficiency
- knowledge and
innovation
Sustainable growth
– a more resource
efficient, greener
and more
competitive
economy
Attractive and
challenging jobs
Inclusive growth –
a high-employment
economy delivering
economic, social
and territorial
cohesion
European Platform
against poverty
Increase resource efficiency and foster
substitution of raw materials
An Agenda for new
skills and jobs
Promote recycling and facilitate the
use of secondary raw materials in the EU
Resource efficient Europe
The ETP SMR welcomes the Innovation Union initiative and the clear commitment from
the Commission to support innovations to secure the mineral supply. The proposal by
the Commission to develop about ten such partnership projects including projects for
raw materials extraction, processing and recycling and finding substitutes for at least
three key applications of critical raw materials is truly the right step at the right time.
Europe has a good position to respond to the challenges of future mineral supply.
There are several regions in Europe rich in minerals. The close interaction with the very
competitive mining companies and the supplier industry has fostered world-class
technology that provides attractive jobs at home and competitive technology that
contributes towards making extraction safe, lean and green both in Europe as well as
world-wide. To maintain and further strengthen the competitive advantages,
sustainable vigorous efforts in research, development and innovation are vital. The
long-term commitment from industry, universities and research institutes, governments
and the European Union creates the solutions necessary to meet the needs of its
citizens. The European Technology Platform on Sustainable Mineral Resources (www.
ETPSMR.org) is industry-led and with a strong commitment to be a valued partner in
the work ahead.
In 2005 representatives of the extractive industry sector established the ETPSMR. The
platform was in 2008 officially recognized by the European Commission. The platform
has prepared a Strategic Research Agenda with the following main targets:
 “Define and establish critical raw materials base for European industry from EU and
non-EU sources
 Promote skills and focused research on innovative exploration and extraction
technologies, recycling, materials substitution and resource efficiency
 Increase resource efficiency and foster substitution of raw materials
 Promote recycling and facilitate the use of secondary raw materials in the EU.”
29
The
geographical
and
organisational spread of the
ETP SMR members (Sept
2010) are seen in the map.
In 2007 ETP SMR was able to
convince the EC to open up for
calls in the NMP Work
Programme that later made e.g.
the important ProMine and
Experl FP7 projects possible.
ETP SMR members have been
involved in several NMP FP7
projects during 2007 – 2009
and plan to be involved in
future projects as well.
 Innovative concepts and processes for new high added value mineral
products(ProMine, Experl)
 Technologies for a sustainable increased self-sufficiency in resources (One
Geology, Eurogeosource)
 New strategies and technologies for mineral resources extraction, processing and
recovery (IntellMine (in prep.) Calls for proposals are also expected for 2011)
 Reducing environmental footprint (EO-MINERS, Impactmine)
We believe, based on EU 2020 and RMI, that FP7 and FP8 will provide ample
opportunities to further carry through important activities in research, demonstration
and innovation.
The extractive industry is a part of the solution for one of the future grand challenges
– securing mineral supply for European industry. Our industry also contributes to
research, development and innovation of the key technologies that endorse the
Europe 2020 objectives:
 Smart growth: developing an economy based on knowledge and innovation.
 Sustainable growth: promoting a more resource efficient, greener and more
competitive economy.
 Inclusive growth: fostering a high-employment economy delivering social and
territorial cohesion.
The ETP SMR will increase work to co-operate with other pertinent European
Technology Platforms as the ETP SMR encourages a cross-thematic approach to be
used where deemed beneficial; many of the key technologies necessary to develop
would be generic in their nature.
30
Gérard BOS
Sustainable Development Relationship Manager
Holcim Group
Setting up biodiversity targets, indicators and strategy 2010-2015
From Nagoya to Brussels - “Strategic Partnerships for Biodiversity”
The focus of this paper is on 3 main topics:
-
The main messages to and from business coming out of CBP Cop 10 in
Nagoya
Holcim and IUCN published the ―partnership for biodiversity‖ sharing the main
outcome of their strategic relationship over the last 4 years.
Coordination of the activities of our sector is key to visibly contribute to the 20
Aichi targets.
Message to and from business in Nagoya
The CBD COP 10 meeting in Nagoya achieved its three inter-linked goals:
 adoption of a new ten year Strategic Plan to guide international and national efforts
to save biodiversity with 20 biodiversity related targets so called ―Aichi targets‖.
Countries will have 2 years to develop their own strategic plan.
 establish a resource mobilization strategy that provides the way forward to a
substantial increase to current levels of official development assistance in support of
biodiversity
 a new international protocol on access to and sharing of the benefits from the use of
the genetic resources of the planet.
More than 13 000 participants were counted at the meeting in Nagoya and business
was visibly present but also welcome at this meeting. A specific business engagement
decision was also adopted.
50 business related side events took place during the event. May I highlight some of
them:
WBCSD co-hosted with IUCN and Nippon Keidanren‘s Committee for Nature
Conservation (KCNC) the International Business and Ecosystems Dialogue (a whole
day side event) , which
 Involved around 150 participants including companies, NGO‘s, IGO and government
policy makers in a structure day-long dialogue process
 Focused on the role of business as a key actor in scaling up and mainstream action
on biodiversity loss and ecosystem degradation
The Business and biodiversity day was closed with the launch of the Japanese
Business and Biodiversity platform and in presence of the Environmental Minister of
Japan, Achim Steiner UNEP Executive Director and Julia Marton-lefevre, IUCN
Director General.
The next day, James Griffiths from WBCSD was able to address the high level
segment (123 ministers and 5 heads of states) as part of a stakeholder dialogue
representing business sitting next to Youth, NGO, Women, Local governments, donors.
Nagoya was, for once, a successful COP meeting and the presence of business was
well appreciated. The inclusion of business to achieve targets is recognized but
business engagement is also now expected by the conference of the parties.
31
Holcim and IUCN jointly released in Nagoya the outcome of their strategic
partnership.
Over the last four years, the close collaboration between Holcim and IUCN has helped
structuring our approach to biodiversity. The Holcim Biodiversity Management System
(BMS) is developed based upon the recommendations of the IUCN-Holcim
Independent Expert Panel. The BMS uses an integrated approach, building upon
existing tools and processes, and encompassing the entire site life cycle from
exploring potential reserves to site operations and eventually to closure. The main
objective of the system is to provide the tools and guidance to ensure that biodiversity
issues are systematically identified and appropriately managed across all the stages of
the extraction sites for all our operations worldwide.
Biodiversity Risk and Opportunity Matrix is Key element of BMS
In order to appropriately manage the biodiversity at the sites, Holcim has adopted a
risk-based 3 step approach:
 Know the importance of the biodiversity and potential impact
 Match the level of effort to the level of risk or opportunity
 Monitor results and adapt accordingly
The biodiversity risk matrix provides the framework to classify the level of risk based
upon the importance and impact and is based upon the following 3 steps:
 Determine the Biodiversity Importance of site (from global to local)
 Determine Likelihood of Impact to the biodiversity from the operation
 Determine Ability to mitigate the impact or create a positive outcome for biodiversity
Once the level of risk is established, the appropriate mitigation measures and
management response. The level of biodiversity management must be incorporated
into the quarry rehabilitation planning. This system allows Holcim to prioritize our
activities and focus first on the areas that present the highest risk or opportunity to
visibly contribute to the conservation of biodiversity. Can this methodology be scaled
up? The partnership for biodiversity can be downloaded from IUCN and Holcim site
(click here).
Coordination of our activities is key to visibly contribute to the 20 aichi targets.
There is a strong need for closer collaboration and more importantly alignment
between the various ―biodiversity related initiatives‖. Many Business and Biodiversity
platforms have flourished at each change of European presidency. Therefore we ask
for the latest Business and Biodiversity platform at EU level involving IUCN and the
commission to be as inclusive and perhaps act as an umbrella for the more local and
historical platforms created in Portugal, Germany, Netherlands and the Nordic
countries. CBD is also setting up a global Business and Biodiversity platform to link up
the various regions.
Secondly, the extractive industry has a long history of successfully working together
with conservation organisations and NGOs. These partnerships at company or trade
association level have allowed for significant improvements in terms of preserving
ecosystems and biodiversity. By working together, stakeholders are able to share
knowledge, expertise and solutions across all sectors. Cooperation also facilitated
sharing the positive impact which industry has on biodiversity conservation and
contributed to informing and educating a much wider audience on the value of
biodiversity.
Holcim is committed and has already started to share its knowledge and experience at
sector level. With WBCSD CSI, trade associations we participate actively to the
existing biodiversity task forces.
32
Our industry is extremely well placed to contribute to some of the country strategic
plans as we can provide for example with our rehabilitated quarries the connection
between Natura 2000 sites. We can also in some instances take care of degraded
ecosystems and create, enhance or restore a biological or hydrological corridor.
A review how our sector as a whole can contribute to the 20 Aichi targets might
be a useful first step to embark on jointly.
In conclusion, Business should not be seen as part of the problem but rather as an
integral part of the solution to enhance and better conserve biodiversity. Nagoya has
confirmed this and we hope this will further migrated into Europe. By making
biodiversity part of our business with local and global multi-stakeholder engagements,
together, we can contribute to build a more sustainable future.
33
Jim RUSHWORTH
Vice President of Environment and Public Affairs
A&C Division Lafarge
Lafarge Biodiversity Management including Indicators and Targets
A Pioneer in the field of Rehabilitation and Partnerships:
Lafarge has been one of the pioneers in the field of rehabilitation and partnerships with
scientists and NGOs namely in the UK, France, North America, Spain and in East
Africa since the late 1970's. These projects have demonstrated that a quarry can be
rehabilitated to a highly valuable area for nature conservation, often with a higher level
of biodiversity than pre-existing land particularly when this was developed on intensive
agricultural land. Examples of this can be seen on our website to our quarry
rehabilitation case studies:
http://www.lafarge.com/wps/portal/2_4_4_1-Environnement#tubeTitreOuvert1
The requirements of quarry rehabilitation were formalised in a dedicated Quarry
Rehabilitation Policy in 2000. As early as 2000 the CEO and the Executive
Committee approved a formal quarry rehabilitation policy stating:

All our quarries must have a rehabilitation plan from the outset

The rehabilitation process must be under the clear responsibility of one person

Accruals must be prepared in the accounts

Rehabilitation must be monitored annually
Biodiversity Management:
We have been working in partnership with WWF since 2000 (but years before in
different countries with local NGOs and our trade associations) and through this
partnership, we developed a Biodiversity Management System to pilot our actions in
the field of biodiversity. The Biodiversity Management System supports our teams
on integrating biodiversity into the management of a quarry. This includes:

A specific methodology

A tool kit:
o Tools to evaluate biodiversity sensitivity of a site
 The Biodiversity checklist to assess biodiversity risks and
opportunities on a site
 The Long Term Biodiversity index to assess the ecological
evolution of a site and to evaluate the quality of restored areas
(this tool is still under development)
o Standards to guide actions:
 Environmental and social assessments standards
 A Biodiversity Management Program standard to maintain
and improve biodiversity
 The Quarry Rehabilitation Standard
 A local consultation standard

Rules of governance:
o A GO/NO GO assessment process
o Stakeholders involvement rules
The participation of stakeholders (land owner, local communities, nature trusts, local
academia etc) is a key for us. We require our teams to work closely with local
communities and other key stakeholders to establish biodiversity development plans for
sites with rare species of fauna or flora or other ecological interest. In addition to our
partnership with WWF, Lafarge also works closely with specialists such as Museum
34
National d‘Histoire Naturelle (France), CBNB/IUCN and the Wildlife Habitat Council
(United States). In 2006 Lafarge set up an International Biodiversity Panel, chaired by
a member of the Group Executive Committee, to advise us on future biodiversity
strategy and targets.
Biodiversity Key Performance Indicators:
Three of our Group Sustainability Ambitions 2012 which are reported on annually in our
Group Sustainability Report have a link to biodiversity:
1- By end of 2010, 85% of quarries will have a rehabilitation plan that complies with
the Lafarge standard. It should be pointed out that a rate of 100% did not appear as
feasible on a permanent basis because of the ongoing acquisition of new quarries and
the complexity of the process. The number of active quarries reported varies from
about 10/15 % every year as old quarries close, new ones open and others are sold.
-> In 2009, 79 % of our quarries have a rehabilitation plan.
2- By end of 2010, all our quarries will have been screened for biodiversity stakes
according to criteria validated by WWF International.
-> At the end of 2009, 64% of our quarries have been screened according to a
checklist validated with WWF.
3- By end of 2012, biodiversity management programs (BMPs) for sensitive
quarries (i.e. located in high conservation environments or able to create valuable
conservation areas) will be developed.
-> At the end of 2009, 35% of our quarries located in sensitive areas have BMPs.
COP10 in Nagoya:
The successful Convention on Biological Diversity held in Nagoya, Japan in October
this year led to the adoption of targets on reducing the loss of biodiversity and
commitments to restore degraded areas. Parties of the United Nations agreed to
translate the overarching international framework into national biodiversity strategy and
action plans within the next two years.
Next Steps:
It is key for industry to work closely with Governments, the European Commission and
other key stakeholders in developing the national action plans. Industry will continue to
demonstrate, through effective rehabilitation programs which incorporate biodiversity
and are developed through consultation of key stakeholders, that it can at least
preserve biodiversity over the full life of a quarry (including rehabilitation) and in many
cases increase the level of biodiversity. It is therefore important that industry is able to
continue to play its‘ part in improving biodiversity through well managed restoration.
This could be put at risk if some form of taxation were introduced to pay for temporary
loss in biodiversity during the mining phase.
Industry also has a key role in raising awareness of the importance of biodiversity to all
its stakeholders and to visitors to its operations. Lafarge has been actively promoting
biodiversity through its‘ website, publications such as the annual sustainability report
and the publication of the biodiversity review to promote the year of biodiversity and
also through quarry visits and education programs with schools and universities.
35
Tim STOKES
Vice President Communications and Public Affairs
CEMEX EMEAA Region
CEMEX biodiversity management including the importance of partnerships
In meeting the demands of society as a global producer of building materials, CEMEX
recognizes the impacts its operations have on the environment. CEMEX works to
contribute to international efforts to address some of the world‘s most complex
challenges, including climate change, improved access to housing and community
infrastructure, and the conservation of biodiversity. As part of these ongoing actions,
we are keen to interact and work with all stakeholders to address issues of common
interest, to learn from them and to communicate our positions on public policy issues.
The CEMEX commitment to biodiversity conservation
Our commitment to effective land management and biodiversity conservation is
longstanding. We work diligently to responsibly manage the land within and around our
operations to protect biodiversity and maximize our contribution to nature conservation.
We recognize that our access to raw materials and our ability to operate in a given
locale depends to a large extent on our ability to effectively manage our land impacts
and protect the biodiversity of the area. However, we also believe that our operations,
especially cement and aggregates, can have positive impacts and actually contribute to
biodiversity conservation. For instance, quarries provide valuable habitats for some
protected species through site rehabilitation, but also during the operating period.
We have quarry rehabilitation plans in most of our 543 quarry sites (target 100% by
2015) and many examples of award winning rehabilitation projects focused on
biodiversity conservation. The most recent testament to this work has been the
donation of 2,500 hectares of restored quarry land to Chingaza National Natural Park,
Colombia (http://www.cemex.com/qr/mc_pr_111810.asp).
Partnerships to deliver the vision of biodiversity enhancement
As we move towards the end of the UN International Year of Biodiversity, and following
the Nagoya biodiversity conference it is appropriate that we consider which elements
might help to deliver progress in the years to come.
It is becoming increasingly recognised that a key requirement needed to deliver the
vision of halting biodiversity loss and enhancing it for future generations is the active
support and contribution of business. A symbiotic relationship between business, policy
makers, communities and specialist non-governmental organisations working together is
the only mechanism through which international aspirations for biodiversity recovery can
be achieved.
With its thousands of quarry sites the aggregates industry has for many years
recognised the benefits of partnerships at local, national and international levels in the
development of quarry restoration and rehabilitation plans. As the issue of dangerous
climate change has become prominent in recent years and as the role of biodiversity
and ecosystems in helping to mitigate climate change impacts has been recognised,
these partnerships have in many cases become more focussed and strategic in their
nature. Partnerships are also important to support operators in adopting appropriate
management practises, encouraging collaborative conservation actions at site level
36
and nationally enhancing awareness, knowledge and skills of employees involved in
biodiversity management.
Partnerships in action
One example of global industry partnership at work is the forum created under the
auspices of the World Business Council Sustainable Development (WBCSD) to
address biodiversity loss and other climate change issues. In addition, the WBCSD has
the capacity to partner with other organisations (e.g. IUCN, WRI etc.) to the benefit of
all parties involved.
CEMEX and our competitor companies actively contribute to several working groups
related to local biodiversity impacts and the cement industry. Among these is the
WBCSD Ecosystem Focus Area, which concentrates on exploring mechanisms and
developing tools to support business decisions on ecosystem services and biodiversity
management, and the Cement Sustainability Initiative (CSI) Task Force 5—Biodiversity
Working Group, which has as its main objectives to establish standards and
performance indicators for biodiversity management for the industry and to promote
members‘ best practices. More can be read about these initiatives at the following link:
http://www.wbcsd.org/templates/TemplateWBCSD5/layout.asp?MenuID=1
CEMEX – Global Partnerships making a local difference
In addition to the responsible land management related to our extractive operations,
CEMEX is engaged in several initiatives for the broader conservation of nature. As part
of these efforts, we have built relationships with leading global conservation
organizations, universities, governments, and communities. These partnerships provide
strategic guidance, improve our understanding of biodiversity issues, and help us better
address them on a global and local level.
Three examples of our key initiatives in this area are our conservation book series, the
trans-boundary El Carmen nature reserve and the recently announced global mapping
of our 543 quarry sites against areas of biodiversity sensitivity conducted in partnership
with BirdLife International. These examples help raise awareness of and advance
biodiversity conservation among a broad cross-section of stakeholders and at the same
time serve to support CEMEX‘s strategy to fully integrate biodiversity into the
management of all our quarry sites.
Conservation book series
This series, which we have published since 1993, is part of our commitment to promote
among our stakeholders a culture of biodiversity awareness and conservation, as well
as to raise awareness of the interconnected nature of biodiversity and climate change.
We publish a new book each year that discusses strategies and diverse approaches to
foster the protection of our natural world complemented by powerful images from the
world's best nature photographers. We have distributed these books through public
and private sectors as well as universities, where they are used as a reference tool by
experts in several fields. We have donated thousands of the books to conservation
organizations to help them fund their projects.
In December 2010 we have published ―Freshwater: The Essence of Life‖, which is the
18th publication in our conservation series, and is strategically aligned with freshwater
being the priority global conservation topic for 2011. It has been produced in
partnership with Conservation International, NatureServe, Wetlands International,
Ramsar and the International League of Conservation Photographers.
Trans-boundary conservation - El Carmen
Established in 2000 as part of our biodiversity enhancement strategy, our El Carmen
initiative helps protect and conserve approximately 200,000 hectares of ecologically
significant land along the border of the United States and Mexico. The area is one of
the five great wilderness ecosystems of the world – the first designated in Latin
America.
37
Owned by CEMEX and other private landowners, El Carmen is home to more than 500
species of plants, 289 species of birds, 78 species of mammals, and 79 kinds of
reptiles and amphibians. The initiative uses scientific research and proven habitat and
wildlife management practices to restore and protect the landscape, native grasslands,
and wildlife species.
CEMEX works on the initiative with partner organisations including BirdLife
International, Conservation International, The Wild Foundation and Agrupacion Sierra
Madre.
CEMEX partnership with Birdlife International
An important element in integrating biodiversity into the management of our quarry
operations is to deepen our knowledge of the nature in and around our sites. To improve
the company‘s performance in this area, in December 2007 we established a ten-year
Global Partnership with BirdLife International. BirdLife International is a global network of
non-governmental conservation organizations with a focus on birds.
With partner organizations operating in over one hundred countries and territories
worldwide, BirdLife is one of the world‘s largest NGO‘s and is the leading authority on
the status and conservation of birds and their habitats. As part of their collaboration,
BirdLife supports CEMEX in refining its biodiversity-related strategies, policies, and
practices, and provides advice on implementing conservation projects at operational
sites. The relationship helps raise awareness among the employees and local
communities about the importance of biodiversity. It also strengthens relationships
between CEMEX operations and the local BirdLife partner organizations, as is already
the case for example in France with Ligue pour la Protection des Oiseaux, in the UK
with the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds, or in the USA with the Audubon
Society.
As a first step in assessing the biodiversity sensitivity and opportunities associated with
CEMEX operations, CEMEX and BirdLife conducted a Biodiversity Scoping Study that
mapped all of CEMEX‘s 543 quarry sites worldwide and their proximity to key
biodiversity areas. Following the initial mapping, the study identified high-priority sites
based on their biological importance and on opportunities for improvement in their
management practices.
The study finally provides maps and databases that help the operational managers to
better understand the biodiversity context in which they operate. Conclusions of the
study were announced during the COP10 in Nagoya providing the framework for the
company to continue to build its partnership relations locally and to build on its
reputation for the rehabilitation of quarry sites. More information can be found at the
following link:
http://www.cemex.com/su/pdf/CEMEX_BirdLife_BiodiversityScopingStudy2010.pdf
Conclusion
October‘s successful Convention on Biological Diversity held in Nagoya, Japan led to
the adoption of targets to reduce biodiversity loss, at the same time giving
commitments to rehabilitate degraded areas. These will be translated into national
biodiversity action plans over the next two years.
There is a growing and flourishing partnership network between the aggregates
industry and local, national and international organisations concentrating on nature, the
enhancement of biodiversity and on building the awareness and knowledge banks of
society about this most important global issue. As national and international biodiversity
action plans are developed it is essential for governments to embrace these existing
partnerships, to learn from them and to ensure that this wealth of experience and
commitment is built into the development of national biodiversity action plans.
38
Dr. Michael RADEMACHER
Manager Biodiversity and Natural Resources - Global Environmental
Sustainability
HeidelbergCement
The contribution of HeidelbergCement to the protection of biodiversity
The preservation of biodiversity and the sustainable use of our raw materials are two
basic pillars of our sustainability strategy. Today, all around the world, raw material
mining is linked with complex permit approval procedures where particular emphasis is
placed on the effects of mining on the environment and on the avoidance of potential
damage. In this respect, ecologically sustainable rehabilitation of mining sites is an
essential prerequisite for obtaining approval. Since quarries are operated over many
decades, we need the approving authorities and the people who live near our plants to
place their trust in us. We can only cultivate that trust through meticulous work in the
field of environmental protection and work safety. Promoting nature with the utmost
care therefore plays an important part in securing our raw material reserves. Over the
last 20 years, scientific investigations have shown that quarries have become valuable
refuges for hundreds of rare animal and plant species and have made a significant
contribution to the conservation of nature.
The protection of animal and plant life and the preservation of a healthy environment is
a tradition at HeidelbergCement. In the Nußloch quarry, Germany, for example, we
have a cooperation with local nature conservation organisations for 30 years already. A
bird sanctuary was established in the renaturated quarry. In addition, large grassed
areas are mown regularly and therefore orchid-rich, calcareous grassland has been
created and maintained.
In 2008, during the Cop 9 in Bonn, Germany, HeidelbergCement signed the
―Leadership Declaration on the Protection of Biodiversity‖. Based on the objectives of
the declaration, HeidelbergCement actions in terms of preserving and promoting
biodiversity are the following:
-
We regularly provide details about our biodiversity management in the
Company sustainability reports. We describe what has been achieved and
explain our goals to gear our further progress.
-
We have established a Global Environmental Sustainability department which
directly reports to the company Board. This department, and more specifically
our biologist, Dr Rademacher, works closely with our production sites, the
environmental experts at the Heidelberg Technology Centre and other external
stakeholders. Altogether we develop guidelines and targets for the company.
We ensure the exchange of knowledge and steer all production sites in their
approach to a sustainable biodiversity management.
-
In 2008, HeidelbergCement was the first company to adopt a ―guideline for the
promotion of biodiversity‖ and made it mandatory for all its European sites. A
similar document has been developed for our operations in Asia - Oceania.
Another one will follow for North America. The document contains clear
guidelines and objectives to be achieved by 2020. At the same time, it also
serves as a manual for the managers of quarries and gravel pits, offering
guidance on the correct design of living spaces and the use of the valuable
commodities of water and soil.
39
-
The company environmental management system contains efficient biodiversity
indicators which identify the actual current situation and include annual
measurement of the progress made in relation with biodiversity protection.
In this respect, the goals we aim to achieve by 2020 are:
 To implement recultivation plans for all mining sites in line with our policy.
 To develop special management plans (biodiversity action plans) for the
protection of biodiversity in 50% of the quarries located in biologically
significant regions.
 To implement a risk assessment regarding biodiversity and environmental
liability for all our cement activities in Europe
-
We regularly provide our suppliers and customers with information on our
Biodiversity projects via our customer magazines and our website. We place
particular emphasis on training our employees in sustainable environmental
management. Furthermore, we hold special lectures and seminars on specific
subjects such as the protection of rare species like the sand martin, the eagle
owl and the peregrine falcon.
-
Cooperating with nature conservation organisations has been an integral part of
our site commitment for a long time and is funded by us. On a global level, we
maintain close contacts with international nature conservation organisations
and are developing a cooperation concept that we aim to implement by 2011. In
collaboration with the German Agency for Technical Cooperation (GTZ), we
currently have two major projects underway to promote biological diversity in
Georgia and in Tanzania.
-
Three years ago, HeidelbergCement, in collaboration with nature conservation
organisations, universities and the Federal Ministry for Education, developed a
set of indicators for measuring the impact of our activities on biodiversity. These
indicators are also published in our guideline and have already been applied in
eight of our sites. Further studies will be carried out in 2011.
40
Damien GREGOIRE,
Environment Director
Carmeuse Europe
Carmeuse Biodiversity Management including Partnership and Targets
This paper aims to provide some elements of our experience in biodiversity
development in our limestone quarries for more than 20 years.
A key factor of success is a strong and confident partnership between the quarry
operator and the partner
Following the different projects we developed, we realized that a key element of
success is to put together ―people who know‖ , in others words, scientists or NGO‘s
and ―people who act‖ , in other words, the quarry operators. For that, the best solution
has been to build a close partnership with an expert at very local level. This expert is,
depending on site specific situations, a NGO, a biologist, an organization (like a Natural
Park) or a scientific institution.
In order to have a win-win project, the partner must understand and integrate the
technical and industrial constraints of the operator. As an example, the possible
unexpected additional volumes of overburden to be stored in a restored part of the
quarry. Indeed, the mining plan is to reduce mining surprises and anticipate restoration
notably but the extraction must adapt to geological circumstances. Flexibility is thus
key.
On the other side, the operator must integrate the biological constraints of the
biodiversity targets of the site. As an example, the seasonal rhythm of nesting or
migrations.
A second condition is to have a clear common view on the goals
This needs to be substantiated by a clear evaluation of the existing potential of the
area. This evaluation can be manifold: it can be a complete scientific study, or part of
an EIA, or a common field work by the partners.
In one case, we did it with a NGO specialized in flora and it has been a total surprise to
discover that site in activity for more than 50 years was occupied by a large quantity of
Orchids and a long list of associated bees and butterflies. This report convinced us to
build on these findings and to develop a partnership with a local biologist with whom we
are now creating new development areas for these species.
We voluntarily decided to limit our actions to some biotopes and species, in fact the
most exceptional ones identified during the study described before. This approach has
been chosen for internal resources reasons but also in liaison with the expertise of the
local partners.
A third key factor of success is a clear and common definition of the goals and
of the means
These goals have to be defined on the basis of the initial study and have to clearly
integrate the industrial constraints. In any cases, the objectives definition needs to take
local and specific reality into account. It is the case of the biological aspects (presence
of species, adaptation of the biotope) but also of industrial aspects (safety, long term
planning). Therefore, these goals have to be aligned with the mining plan. This
approach allows as well to reduce costs when these goals are well integrated into the
mining plan. The inclusion of the targets in mining plans is also guarantee of coherence
and of durability of the biodiversity program.
41
In addition to the biological result of these programs, it is worth mentioning that they
create opportunities for visits by neighbours and students in environment management
or agro-forestry. This is regularly the case in one quarry located in a Natural Park
where a agronomy school is organizing very appreciated visits of biologically restored
part of the quarry. These programs have thus also as form of social benefit.
Conclusions
In fact, the best approach for an efficient and locally integrated biodiversity
management is the building of a partnership putting together‖ people who know‖ and ―
people who act‖. From this type of association, concrete results can emerge under
some conditions which are mainly linked to a good understanding of each other
constraints. Indeed, the management of quarry is subject to adaptations in time due to
the need to adapt to geological constraints which strive the mining plan. For that
reason, confidence between partners and flexibility are key success factors.
A clear and voluntary agreement between partners is therefore important.
42
Geert Cuperus
Secretary General
Fédération Internationale du Recyclage
How to support the recycling of Construction & Demolition Waste
Is 70% recycling of Construction & Demolition Waste achievable?
Construction & Demolition Waste (C&DW) is made up of inert waste and mixed waste.
The inert part constitutes the largest fraction, about some 80-85%. Inert C&DW is well
recyclable. In such countries as Germany, Belgium and the Netherlands, almost all
inert C&DW is recycled. This is done by removing remaining non-inert components and
crushing. The product of this treatment is Recycled Aggregates. They are well
accepted by the road construction industry for their good quality.
In many parts of Europe, recycling of C&DW is still to be developed. Experience in well
performing Member States has shown that several well feasible and general steps can
be taken to make recycling elsewhere happen. In some parts in Europe recycling may
be harder to achieve, for instance when transport distances are large. In many cases
though, the experiences in well performing Member States can be used to reach proper
levels of recycling.
Main requirements
In 2003 the Taskgroup 3 of the European Commission‘s program ―Competitiveness of
the Construction Industry‖ set up recommendations for the management of C&DW. The
Taskgroup was composed of representatives of the Commission, Member States and
industry. The main recommendations are:
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landfills must be well managed and ‗fly-tipping‘ must be subject to sanctions;
landfilling of C&DW should be actively discouraged by Member States and only be
permitted at significant cost and at even higher cost for hazardous and mixed
waste;
recycling facilities must be available;
acceptance by all parties concerned that C&DW-derived aggregates should meet
no discrimination in the market place. C&DW-derived aggregates meeting the same
relevant technical specifications may be used instead of primary aggregates. In
other words, primary aggregates and C&DW-derived aggregates should both be
considered as raw materials.
planned demolition, including selective demolition and separation, must take place
to allow for effective recycling.
Taskgroup 3 considers that if these criteria are not met, recycling will hardly develop.
The findings of the Taskgroup are still valid today. A main reason for the absence of
recycling in many Member States is the fact, that landfilling, and even illegal landfilling,
is the preferred option. In those Member States where recycling is in place, issues such
as ―end-of-waste‖ still pose an obstacle to recycling.
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Exchange of experience, crucial to meeting the targets
Recycling has taken many years to develop in Member States. Where recycling is still
to develop, Member States need to take action so that recycling will be in place (and
reach a level of 70%) within less than 10 years. They may however benefit from the
experiences elsewhere in Europe. This concerns such issues as technologies, quality
assurance, applications of Recycled Aggregates etc.
In order for exchange to happen, an adequate structure must be in place. This
structure needs to be put in place on the short term. The recycling industry (FIR) and
the broader industry (in EPRA, the European Platform for Recycled Aggregates) are
prepared to join such a structure and pay a major contribution. Such a structure also
requires the active contribution of the European Commission and of Member States.
On a European level it is furthermore relevant to adjust the several pieces of legislation
and policy that address the issue of sustainable resource management. These dossiers
together need to result in practical and efficient measures that will indeed support
recycling.
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Brian JAMES
Chairman
European Platform for Recycled Aggregates – EPRA
Director – Mineral Products Association of the UK
The importance of the use Recycled Aggregates to the European construction market
cannot be under estimated with the benefits to the Environment and the Economy
clearly indentified in the UEPG paper Resource Efficiency and Recycling Policy.
However, to ensure that the European target of recycling 70% of available Construction
& Demolition Waste (C&DW) is achieved then support for End-of-Waste Criteria is
needed and a viable solution is set out in the UEPG/EPRA proposals paper.
Key Policy Points
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Application of optimal design for efficient use of durable materials and lifespan
of structures ensuring the potential for re-use.
Use recycled materials as and where possible in keeping with specification
requirements and to discourage discrimination and over regulation affecting
use.
The European Commission to endorse available and established End-of Waste
Criteria to encourage recycled aggregate production within all Member States.
To acknowledge that once processed recycled aggregates are recognized as
products and are a valuable part of the sustainable supply chain.
To recognize that the European target of 70% recycling/recovery represents
about 20/25% of total aggregate demand
To establish valid statistical data to demonstrate overall progress in the use
of recycled materials. In 2008, UEPG data shows that 216m tonnes were
cycled. This corresponds to just on 40% of total available C&DW, but in turn
equates to only 6% of the total European aggregates demand of 3.5 billion
tonnes for that year.
Environmental & sustainability benefits
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The development in the use of recycled aggregates reduces the quantity of
material being sent to landfill.
Growth in the use of recycled aggregates is a key factor in reducing the
demand for primary material and underpins European objectives to minimize
resource depletion.
In conclusion, UEPG/EPRA extends an invitation to the European Commission and
Member States to reconsider the existing position with a call to supporting the
proposals highlighted above and to explore the available routes to increasing the
supply of recycled aggregates.
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Simon VAN DER BYL
Secretary General
European Asphalt Pavement Association
Infrastructure
All elements of life, work, trade, business and leisure, rely on infrastructure. In this
context, we mean transport infrastructure of all types (road, rail, air and water borne),
water and waste water transfers, power lines and underground cabling ducts and
pipework (electricity, communications, gas, oil).
There is a real need, therefore, to ensure that this essential component of all our
existence in Europe is properly established and maintained. Taking them in turn:
- Personal mobility. While the population of Europe may now be stabilising, we all
need mobility or need to be connected. People need infrastructure to be able to
work or to go to their work. Even if they work from home, they need a good data
cable network to be able to communicate. We have become used to the freedom
that automobiles provide and a large percentage of the population owns some sort
of vehicle, whether of two or more wheels, powered or not. We also walk. These
forms of personal transport need pavements and roads. None of the existing stock
can, or will last for ever: weather effects and general wear and tear cause damage
to the surface and sub-surface, this in turn causing damage to the vehicles using
them and less efficient fuel consumption, as the surface gets more uneven and, in
many cases, personal injury. Proper investment in maintenance, as well as
consideration of investment in new capacity, is vital, if mobility remains an important
requirement. The alternatives to roads and pavements also need investment. If the
desire is to get people off the roads and onto trains (or boats, where available), the
infrastructure needs to be in place to facilitate this shift. At present this is not the
case in many MS‘ and investment is urgently needed to provide the necessary
capacity and quality; further, the inter-modal connections need design and
investment, as, if not, then people will not switch! We have also become
accustomed to holidays and other personal travel by air. While there are some
sceptics who think that this is not environmentally friendly, there is no doubt that
aircraft manufacturers are meeting this challenge and a realistic analysis of Kg of
carbon dioxide emissions per capita/kilometre of newer aeroplanes will show that
they are sensibly equivalent to other forms of transport over similar distances.
Airports will also need investment to make them more accessible by eco-friendly
forms of ultimate transport connectivity. Finally, we should be planning and
investing to make more use of water transport, wherever this is available and
accessible: wharves, jetties, landing stages and appropriate connectivity need
planning and investment, where possible.
- Material trade. We all need the basic essentials of life: food, water, homes, offices,
schools, hospitals, ―white goods‖, fuel, etc. Everything we consume or use needs
materials and these materials need to be transported from their places of origin to
the places of consumption. The wastes and residues then need to be taken
somewhere else for treatment or disposal. Heavy goods travelling long distances
should ideally be transported by rail or water: this infrastructure is piecemeal in
Europe, excellent in some parts, no-existent in some others. If we are serious about
reducing our transport footprint in Europe, these forms of transport need real
investment now and in future by way of continual maintenance. Ultimately,
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however, the final delivery of all materials to the consumer will be by road in nearly
every situation and the arguments above pertain.
- Aggregates. The biggest flow of materials in Europe is of aggregates for
construction. Even in the UK, where the per capita consumption is the second
lowest in the Union, this amounts to 1 million tonnes of material flow each day, more
than all the other commodities, except water, added together! As we take more
account of the ravages of climate change and the need to be more carbon efficient,
vehicles will – certainly in the medium term, while fossil fuels are the main energy
sources – have to get larger, causing more damage to the road structures,
particularly the surfaces, and regular maintenance will rise up the priority agenda.
- Other infrastructure. We have become accustomed to regular supplies of drinking
water and the removal of the subsequent wastes, to having our energy and
communications links delivered by cable or pipes under ground. Also, industry – the
oil and gas providers, for example – use underground pipes for the delivery of these
essential materials to depots or to the final consumer. All of this needs proper
infrastructure and occasional maintenance.
Much of Europe has mature
arrangements for this, but not every MS, and this needs robust investment, if we are
to raise standards and give everyone a reasonable standard of living.
In conclusion, therefore, it is fair to say that we need sufficient funding to ensure that
the majority of trans-European networks, cabling and underground delivery facilities are
made available and kept in good order. If we get this right at the outset, the real costs
can be affordable: if not, and complete restructuring of pavements, roads, rail systems
or other infrastructure is needed, the costs will be astronomical.
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Last Name
First Name
Company/Association
Country
Bäckblom
Göran
LKAB
Sweden
Bartels
Holger
IG BAU
Germany
Benger
Raimo
WBN Baustoffe
Germany
Bernard
Mathieu
Heidelberg Cement
Belgium
Bertrand
Olivier
Cimescaut
Belgium
Beunen
Christine
CPMC
Brussels
Bos
Gerard
Holcim
Switzerland
Castagna
Francesco
ANEPLA
Italy
Chandelle
Jean-Marie
CEMBUREAU
Brussels
Cuperus
Geert
FIR
Netherland
Dechelle
Miette
UEPG
Brussels
Devos
Sandrine
UEPG
Brussels
Drnek
Thomas
EUROMINES
Brussels
Fell
Antony
UEPG
Brussels
Fellows
Ann
COALPRO
UK
Fincke
Dirk
UEPG
Brussels
From
Tomas
SveMin
Sweden
Frost
Shelley
Lafarge
UK
Gammelsæter
Elisabeth
Norsk Bergindustri
Norway
Guillot
Thomas
Holcim
Bulgaria
Gunn
Gus
British Geological Survey
UK
Haeser
Christian
MIRO
Germany
Hahn
Ulrich
MIRO
Germany
Hans-Peter
Braus
BKS
Germany
Hebestreit
Corina
EUROMINES
48
Hejny
Horst
Mineral Industry Research Organisation
UK
Hildebrand
Lisbeth
Geological survey
Sweden
Hofmann
Jan
Holcim Group Support
Switzerland
Huxtable
Peter
British Aggregates Association
UK
Johnson
Jessica
CEMBUREAU
Brussels
Keane
Sean
Roadstone Wood Ltd
Ireland
Karkkainen
Martti
Rudus OY
Finland
Lagrou
David
Flemish Institute for technologia
Research (VITO)
Belgium
Langedijk
Amina
IMA- Europe
Brussels
Langenbach
Peter
Hülskens GmbH
Germany
Luaces
Frades
César
ANEFA/ FdA
Spain
Lucas
Hugh
Aggregates industry (Holcim)
UK
Majewski
Gisbert
OMYA
Brussels
Marbehant
Jean
Groupe Lhoist
Belgium
Maringolo
Vagner
CEMBUREAU
Brussels
Marlet
Christine
Eurogypsum
Brussels
Maud
Tarnot
UNICEM
France
O'Brien
Jim
UEPG
Olazabal
Claudia
European Commission
Brussels
Peters
Stephan
DMT
Germany
Petry
François
Holcim Granulats
France
Puig i Canal
Jaume
FdA
Spain
Rademacher
Michael
Heidelberg Cement
Belgium
Reifenscheid
Hermann
LZR Lenz-Ziegler Reifenscheid
Germany
Reus
Daniel
OMYA
Brussels
Rushworth
Jim
Lafarge
France
Savoca
Dominico
Lombardy Region
Italy
Schulz
Michael
BKS
Germany
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Shulamit
Alony
UICN
Brussels
Šolar
Slavko V.
Geological Survey
Slovenia
Srinskas
Skirmantas
LithuanianAggregate Producers
Association
Lithuania
Steinhage
Manfred
VKS
Germany
Tajani
Antonio
Vice-President European Commission
Brussels
Testard
Jack
Société de l'Industrie Minérale
France
Thompson
Jeffrey
OAM Baustoffe GmbH
Germany
Tong
Rashila
Holcim
Switzerland
Vanbelle
Jean-Marc
Holcim
Belgium
Van der Byl
Simon
EAPA
Brussels
Van der Meer
Rob
Heidelberg Cement
Belgium
Vauchez
Anne
Lafarge
France
Verhaert
Griet
Flemish Government
Belgium
Wasserbacher
Robert
Austrian Association for Building
Materials
Austria
Wyart Remy
Michelle
IMA- Europe
Brussels
50
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