UEPG looks at access to materials

The European Aggregates Association reviews progress on improving access to raw materials

Lack of accessibility to raw material resources has become a major issue for the European aggregates industry.

On top of challenges companies are facing during the current financial crisis, complex and cost intensive applications for permits are increasing the burden.

The 2886 European Aggregates Association (UEPG) has conducted a long term campaign on "access to resources" to help improve political understanding of the problem. The work has included meetings with Vice-President Günter Verheugen, contributing to the European Minerals Forum debate on the Raw Materials Strategy, and making an input to the Natura 2000 Guidance Document for Non Energy Extractive Industries (NEEIP) working groups.

Following Verheugen's call for a competitive EU economy, the 1022 European Commission asked UEPG and other NEEIP members for support in launching a European Raw Materials Initiative. The initiative is based on three pillars: access to raw materials; sustainable supply of raw materials from European sources; and, increase of resource efficiency and promotion of recycling.

On the second pillar, sustainable supply of raw materials from European sources, the UEPG is leading a number of actions in order to improve access to aggregate resources.

The main group for implementing the Raw Materials Initiative is the European Commission's Raw Materials Supply Group (RMSG) where the UEPG is strongly represented. The Raw Materials Supply Group launched two ad hoc working groups; the group 'Critical raw materials' working group has 2897 Mineral Products Association executive director Simon van der Byl as its UEPG representative, while Mineral Products Association director for mineral planning Ken Hobden represents the association on the 'Land use planning and administrative conditions' working group.

One of the approaches being considered by the 'Critical raw materials' group is a country risk index on political stability in developing countries and on access to land in EU Member States.

The UEPG has raised questions including the related environmental and financial costs, if the raw materials are not accessible. For construction projects, aggregates are essential and access might in certain circumstances be critical.

Therefore at local level, sand, gravel and crushed rock might be classified as critical raw materials.

In total, 39 critical raw materials have so far been identified and some of the most recent to be added to the list are gypsum and limestone.

The next meeting of the working group looking at criticality was held in November, while the best practice planning working group was scheduled to meet in December 2009.

The UEPG is calling for a specific focus on long term accessibility to aggregate raw materials in Europe. Under this focus, the UEPG wants to see a reconsideration of the definition of "criticality" in the context of aggregates; simplification of the regulatory framework and ensuring consistency; understanding and acceptance of the key role contributed by the aggregates industry to overall EU competitiveness and biodiversity; and guidance for efficient minerals planning.

In addition, UEPG is making the link between the Raw Materials Initiative and the Natura 2000 Guidance Paper. Being one of the leading contributors to biodiversity, the European aggregates industry is contributing to the solution for Natura 2000 and nature conservation.

The UEPG is, therefore, currently preparing a position paper and strategy on access to resources, linking the Raw Materials Initiative with Natura 2000.

On the third pillar, the UEPG, together with the 3813 International Recycling Federation (FIR), has launched the European Platform for Recycled Aggregates (EPRA). EPRA addresses common challenges on recycling, including REACH, recycled aggregates and the end-of-waste criteria. EPRA will participate in the next European Minerals Forum to tackle the issue of "practically stimulating recycling of construction and demolition waste".