Minerals sales growth uncertain

Mineral product companies have continued to improve their sustainability, but sales growth prospects remain uncertain, according to a key industry watchdog.

In its 3rd Sustainable Development Report, The 2897 Mineral Products Association (MPA) praised its members and the industry as a whole for progress on health and safety, carbon emissions, biodiversity, nature conservation and resource efficiency.

The sustainability improvements are particularly impressive, according to the MPA, as sales of products including aggregates, asphalt and ready mix concrete remain 20%-40% below pre-recession levels.

The MPA report revealed:

• Cement industry direct carbon emissions fell in 2010 but aggregates sector emissions increased.
• Recycled and secondary materials accounted for 28% of the British aggregates market in 2010.
• Per capita production of aggregates in Britain in 2010 was 3.3tonnes compared with a European average of 5.3tonnes.
• Per capita cement consumption in GB in 2010 was 158kg compared with the European average of 404kg; 9.3% of aggregates sold were moved by rail.
• The average road delivery distance for aggregates increased to 45.7km in 2010 with average loads increasing to 22.1tonnes.
• The ratio of the area of aggregates sites restored to the area of land prepared for quarrying was 1:0.8.
• 20,569 visitors were recorded at aggregates and cement sites in 2010.
• Members have planted 1m trees over the past five years

The report also noted that the MPA is committed to halving Lost Time Injury (LTI) rates by 2014 and has the overarching objective of Zero Harm.

Nigel Jackson, chief executive MPA, said: “Our 3rd Sustainable Development Report shows where we have gained considerable ground. For example, there is a growing awareness of the contribution that good building design can make to sustainability and how the use of concrete can significantly reduce the whole life energy performance of buildings through thermal mass benefits.”

The MPA is disappointed by the [UK] government’s scrapping of the Aggregates Levy Sustainability Fund (ALSF) in England in March, 2011, a view, it said, is shared by many nature conservation groups. The body is also urging the government not to impose excessive costs on energy intensive industries, such as cement and lime, which could drive the supply of essential and indigenously available resources overseas.

Jackson added: “We will continue to lobby for the reinstatement of the ALSF in a more focussed format which can help deliver government’s aims for localism and biodiversity.”