French producers warn of shortages

French union of aggregates producers UNPG has warned the French parliament of the potential for aggregates shortages in the future if the current rise in demand and difficulties to gain consent continue. According to a white paper sent by the UNPG to the government, gaining consent for a new quarry now takes an average of ten years where as it used to take three. The association said that it expects demand to rise from 360million tonnes in 2010 to reach 550million tonnes by 2030 but questioned how this dema

March 28, 2012 Read time: 1 min

French union of aggregates producers 1613 UNPG has warned the French parliament of the potential for aggregates shortages in the future if the current rise in demand and difficulties to gain consent continue.

According to a white paper sent by the UNPG to the government, gaining consent for a new quarry now takes an average of ten years where as it used to take three. The association said that it expects demand to rise from 360million tonnes in 2010 to reach 550million tonnes by 2030 but questioned how this demand will be met. UNPG points to the decline in the number of active quarries as an additional problem – the association said that three are 2300 quarries today but 3300 20 years ago.

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Global crisis hits aggregate prices

While the global financial crisis is yet to hit aggregate prices significantly the impact on volumes is already being felt. Metso Minerals' Luis Santos talks to Claire Symes about market changes in Europe during 2008. Ex-works aggregate prices are usually a good indicator of the state of the sector but 2008 appears to be the exception to the rule and it is declining volumes that are pointing to the problem areas.