LIFE PROCESS HEALTH PEOPLE ROCESS LIFE SUPPLY GREEN GROWTH GROWTH PROCESS PROCESS CYCLE INNOVATION RECYCLING YCLING RAW TERIAL S BIODIVERSITY ASTE

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1 REEN RESOURCE USE ROWTH FFICIENCY BIODYVERSI TY EMPLOYMEN T ONITORING BEST MATERIALS ROWTH PRACTICES SUPP LY BIODIVERSIT Y PEOPL WORKPLACE ASTE WARENESS RESEARCH HEALTH CE USE EMPLOYMENT INDUSTRIAL MONITORING MINERALS ENVIROMEN T MATERIAL S Together for a Sustainable Future BIODYVERSITY SUPP LY TERIAL S SAFET Y RECYCLIN G PPLY SAF GREE N TECH N ITIES YCLING

2 REEN RESOURCE USE ROWT H FFICIENCY BIODYVERSI TY EMPLOYMEN T ONITORING BEST MATERIALS ROWTH PRACTICES BIODIVERSIT Y PEOP MONITORING ENVIROMEN T WORKPLACE MATERIAL S EDUC ATION RESEARCH HEALTH RCE USE EMPLOYMENT BIODYVERSITY ATERIAL S SAFET Y RECYCLIN G UPPLY SAFE GREE N TECH N NITIE S CYCLING SUSTAINABILITY FOREWORD SUSTAINABILITY AT THE HEART OF EXTRACTIVE ACTIVITIES The unique qualities of industrial minerals have made them a key ingredient in human life throughout the history of civilization. Without industrial minerals, there would be no glass or ceramics, for instance. Today, industrial minerals still play a vital and valuable part in human well-being, providing raw materials for products which can meet the needs and developments of new technology. To meet society s needs in the future, access to these essential raw materials must be preserved. It is a fact that extractive activities are dependent on geology and where the mineral deposits are geographically located. This constraint has encouraged industrial minerals producers to develop an early awareness of the possible impacts of their activities, notably on local communities and their environment. In the last two decades, IMA-Europe s work programme has given high priority to health and safety, environmental protection and innovation issues. In order to take the sector forward in a sustainable way, IMA-Europe s members work actively towards continuous improvement in economic, environmental and social performance. They have laid down their commitments in the IMA-Europe Sustainable Development Charter, formalizing the sector s values and operating principles. At European level, these are reflected through a series of ambitious projects and initiatives. 1

3 FOREWORD RESOURCE THE EUROPEAN INDUSTRIAL MINERALS INDUSTRY RESOURCE IN THE IM SECTOR AN OVERVIEW The non-energy extractive industry within the EU generated a turnover of about 45 billion and provided about 295,000 jobs in Downstream users like the construction, chemicals, automotive, aerospace, machinery and equipment sectors all depend on raw materials, providing a total value added of about billion and employment for some 30 million people. Source: European Commission, DG Enterprise For industrial minerals, resource efficiency encompasses all aspects of the product life-cycle from cradle to cradle: efficient extraction, processing, manufacturing, usage, end-of-life and finally, whenever feasible, recycling. Industrial minerals play a vital role in many low-carbon, environmentally friendly products and processes. The industrial minerals sector produces raw materials which are essential for the manufacturing industries. It has therefore always considered resource efficiency as a key priority. Unlike other naturally occurring raw materials, there is no geological scarcity of industrial minerals. Moreover, as they are vital in many low-carbon, environmentally friendly products and processes, reducing their use makes no sense. For IMA-Europe, resource efficiency encompasses all aspects of the product life-cycle from cradle to cradle: efficient extraction, processing, manufacturing, usage, end-of-life and finally, whenever feasible, recycling. SHAPING SUSTAINABLE Industrial minerals are vital to the economy. With the Europe 2020 growth strategy, Europe is leading the way towards sustainable growth; advocating a shift towards a resource-efficient, low-carbon economy. The industrial minerals sector actively contributes to the global effort towards achieving a transition towards a green economy. Industrial minerals are key raw materials for our greenest technologies and processes. When producing and supplying these raw materials, resource efficiency is taken into account at every stage of the life cycle: from the extraction of the raw material from the ground, through its use in products or processes, to the recycling of the applications it is used in. IMA-Europe and its members will continue to act and reflect on how they, as a raw materials industry in the 21st century, can best contribute to a greener, low-carbon and innovative economy. A sustainable supply of minerals from European sources is essential to keep Europe competitive in a world in constant evolution. The industrial minerals sector plays an important role in developing innovative solutions with and for downstream industries as illustrated in this publication. This is a role it is keen to continue playing. The European industrial minerals sector itself represented by IMA-Europe consists of around 500 mineral companies or groups which operate around 700 mines and quarries and 750 plants throughout Europe. They offer direct employment to around 42,500 people and produce an annual volume of some 180 million tons of minerals, contributing a value of around 10 billion Euros to Europe s GDP. The European industrial minerals sector includes some of the world s leading international companies as well as many small and medium-sized enterprises, often family owned. WHAT DOES RESOURCE MEAN FOR INDUSTRIAL MINERALS? Resource efficiency starts with sustainable mining and processing. Producing the highest possible quality and saving energy and water through new technologies increases the rate of marketable ore. Industrial minerals contribute to creating value throughout the product value chain. By improving the quality and performance of the end product, they reduce consumption. They also enable savings in the downstream industry s production processes, whilst improving the performance of the applications they contribute to developing. Optimizing resource management through the valorization of by-products and waste contributes to reducing waste streams. Less valuable grades are supplied to the appropriate downstream markets, increasing mining productivity. This brochure highlights examples of initiatives illustrating what sustainable development and resource efficiency mean to the industrial minerals sector. Industrial minerals are recovered through the recycling of the applications in which they are used. Industrial minerals are recycled at a rate of between 40 and 50% at the current recycling rate of their applications. 2-3

4 RESOURCE RESOURCE 1. RESOURCE STARTS AT THE MINE SITE. 3. INDUSTRIAL MINERALS ARE ESSENTIAL INGREDIENTS IN ER PRODUCTS AND TECHNOLOGIES. State of the art technologies allow companies to significantly increase mining productivity while at the same time consuming fewer resources, i.e. literally creating more with less: Minerals cannot be produced without water, which is used to extract the ore, separate the main mineral from the ore, prevent dust emissions, or produce slurries. Most operations now employ closed-circuit systems in which used water passes through sedimentation ponds before being returned to the process. This results in an extremely modest net consumption of water. For example, the processing of one tonne of kaolin uses some 6m3 of water, but as much as 98% of this water is recycled internally and re-used. Industrial Minerals have a wide range of properties which are harnessed in a broad range of green applications, or which very often have a beneficial effect on the resource efficiency of the end application itself. Windturbine blades, for example, are made essentially of fiberglass, which contains almost 100% minerals. Most solar panels require high purity minerals in their manufacturing process. Monocrystalline solar cells are made from ingots sawed with a ceramic powder, and drawn from crucibles made of high purity quartz. 2. INDUSTRIAL MINERALS PRODUCERS CONTINUOUSLY STRIVE TO OPTIMIZE RESOURCE MANAGEMENT BY RVERING MINING BY-PRODUCTS AND. Waste rock and tailings (ore rejected during processing) are supplied to the appropriate downstream markets to be used in roadbed construction, as railroad ballast, as aggregate or additive in concrete and asphalt mixes, and as mineral fillers or processing aids. Every day, new downstream markets are found for the complete range of recovered grades. For example, LEED-certified building materials, e.g. resistant floor-coating, are produced from calcium carbonate tailings. INDUSTRIAL MINERALS CAN BE AND ARE RED! Industrial Minerals are used in a wide range of applications and end products. Recovering these minerals from their end applications would be technically complicated, time-consuming and, ultimately environmentally inefficient. However, although the minerals themselves may not be recyclable per se, many of them lead second, third, fourth or even an infinite number of lives in the case of glass in the products that contain them... For more information on the recycling of minerals, consult IMA-Europe s Recycling Sheets on 4. INDUSTRIAL MINERALS ARE RED WHEN THE PRODUCTS THAT CONTAIN THEM ARE RED. Contrary to popular belief, minerals can be, and are, recycled: Kaolin and talc used in paper are recycled with the paper; talc in polypropylene is recycled with the plastic; construction materials are recycled into aggregates, and so on The industrial minerals sector has gathered figures on the recycling rates of its applications: Today, the industrial minerals sector estimates that a total 40 to 50% of all the minerals consumed in Europe are recycled along with the glass, paper, plastic or concrete, in which they are used. 4-5

5 The industrial minerals sector is proactive in researching innovative solutions to meet the needs of society, today and tomorrow. The functionalities and properties of minerals make them very versatile materials which are essential to many industries and thereby crucial for Europe s economy as a whole. The industrial minerals sector is proactive in researching innovative solutions to meet the needs of society today and tomorrow: Industrial minerals producers develop, often in close collaboration with downstream industries, innovative applications that prolong the lives of products by improving their functionalities, quality and energy efficiency; Industrial minerals are at the forefront of innovation and play an essential role in many high-tech applications; Industrial minerals are crucial for the development of modern environmentally friendly technologies such as electric cars, photovoltaic solar cells and wind turbines. TOGETHER FOR Industrial Minerals at the Forefront of Innovation

6 TOGETHER FOR Innovation has been placed at the top of the European agenda to boost the European economy and competitivity in the global market place by using breakthroughs and scientific knowledge in key areas of industry. As part of this strategy, a number of European initiatives that link innovation with economic growth and a better quality of life in Europe, as well as a more competitive position on markets globally are now underway. To promote industrial minerals as an innovative and resource efficient sector, IMA-Europe is an active partner on some of the main European innovation programmes, including the European Innovation Partnership (EIP) on Raw Materials which combines public and private research, development and innovation efforts at regional, national and EU level. SPIRE (Sustainable Process Through Resource & Energy Efficiency) In 2012, IMA-Europe contributed to setting-up SPIRE, a European publicprivate partnership devoted to innovation in resource and energy efficiency in process industries. Gathered within A. SPIRE, more than 50 process industry stakeholders from eight different sectors in over a dozen countries will join forces to develop and promote innovative technologies and best practices to reach two ambitious targets for 2030: Reduce fossil energy use by 30% compared to current levels; Reduce non-renewable, primary raw material use by 20% compared to current levels. STOICISM Seventeen companies, universities, associations, and R&D institutes have joined forces under the banner STOICISM (Sustainable Technologies for Calcined Industrial Minerals in Europe). STO- ICISM is an R&D and innovation consortium that focuses on finding New environmentally friendly approaches to minerals processing. It is funded by the EU s Seventh Framework Programme (FP7). The aim of the consortium is to develop more resource- efficient processing methods for calcining minerals notably diatomaceous earth, perlite and clays. STOICISM s findings will ultimately benefit the entire industrial minerals sector, from producers to end-users. 8-9

7 Mines and quarries have the ability to recreate high quality habitats which can contribute to the restoration of ecological networks Source: Business & Biodiversity The European minerals sector is one of the most regulated sectors when it comes to the environment. Permitting procedures are often very long and tedious, and include legal obligations such as Environmental Impact Assessments (EIA), restoration plans and financial guarantees. Despite this, the European minerals sector prides itself on representing some of the world s best environmental practices: producers apply specific control measures and safeguards to minimize the environmental impact of their operations. They invest in technically advanced equipment and best-in-classtechnologies. They seek to cause minimum disturbance to the surrounding communities by limiting the visual impact of their activities and keeping noise, dust and vibrations below the limit values. The protection and preservation of the environment is taken into account before, during and after extraction. At many sites, biodiversity, resource use or waste management, for example, underpin the decision-making process. TOGETHER FOR the ENVIRONMENT Industrial Minerals Contribute to Environmental, Biodiversity and Nature Conservation Projects

8 TOGETHER FOR THE ENVIRONMENT TOGETHER FOR THE ENVIRONMENT Partnership with Countdown 2010 IMA-Europe LCI Study IMA-Europe Biodiversity Statement The IMA-Europe members have drawn up a Biodiversity Statement for the industrial minerals sector and its stakeholders, in which members undertake to integrate the identification, evaluation and management of biodiversity into their business decision making processes, preserve or promote biodiversity throughout the operation s lifetime and to work in partnership with government, communities and other stakeholders on biodiversity. Initiatives such as the collection of biodiversity case studies and the partnership with Countdown 2010 attest to the daily efforts made to live up to this commitment. By signing the Countdown declaration in 2008, IMA-Europe reinforced its commitment to the protection of biodiversity and the European Commission s 2010 Biodiversity target which aims to halt the loss of biodiversity by 2010 and beyond. Efforts to promote the initiative did not stop in 2010: biodiversity case studies are still being collected and promoted throughout the industry. Every two years companies showcase good practices to the general public during the European Minerals Day, which has Biodiversity as a main theme. Good Environmental Practice in the European Extractive Industry: A Reference Guide The Reference Guide is the result of a joint initiative between European trade associations representing cement, ceramics, gypsum, natural stone, industrial minerals, aggregates and the Enterprise Directorate-General of the European Commission. A series of real-life case studies illustrate how specific local conditions and circumstances have prompted companies to implement strict, and often surprisingly imaginative solutions to protect the environment in and around their To provide stakeholders, such as authorities and consumers, with European average environmental footprint values, IMA-Europe has conducted life cycle inventories (LCI), based on ISO standards, for eight industrial mineral products. The minerals were selected for their high production volumes and the wide range of applications in which they are used. Using overall energy consumption for each production process, it was possible to group the various products into three categories and calculate the relevant environmental footprint per category. extraction sites. These often go well beyond regulatory requirements. For example, the 5.3km long cableway which links a mountain-top talc mine in France to the processing plant down in the valley replaces 650,000 kilometers worth of truck trips per year, i.e. a return trip to the moon. The cableway runs on an energy-free dynamo system the buckets full of talc ore descend under gravity and the system not only generates enough electricity to transport the empty buckets back up to the mine but also covers other energy requirements of the mine. Biodiversity Case Studies in the Industrial Minerals Sector The IMA-Europe website provides a database of biodiversity case studies in mines and quarries across Europe. The minerals sector may not seem an obvious partner for wildlife but quarries and mineral extraction sites across Europe are providing a lifeline for many endangered species. Every year, sand martins fly 5,000 kilometers north of Africa looking for a place to nest. Cliff faces in working sand quarries in Belgium and Germany provide a perfect soft surface for the birds. In France, bee-eaters, also an endangered species, find shelter in a kaolin quarry. The mining company encourages the birds by drilling holes in the sandstone cliff face every so they can lay their eggs. Biodiversity Platform IMA-Europe takes part in the EU Business and Biodiversity Platform (B@B), initiated by the European Commission, which aims to strengthen the link between the business sector and biodiversity conservation. The non-energy extractive industry (NEEI), one of the six identified priority sectors, has provided feedback on the new Biodiversity Strategy and its targets to allow the Commission to assess the relevance for the sector, as well as what is needed to ensure its implementation and success. The extractive sector s positive contribution to biodiversity has been recognized and areas for improvement identified. Non-energy Mineral Extraction and Natura 2000 The contribution of the minerals sector to biodiversity conservation has been acknowledged in the European Commission Guidance Document Non-energy mineral extraction and Natura 2000 (2010). This document is the result of long-term collaboration between all stakeholders such as NGOs, administrations, industry and others, under the aegis of the European Commission

9 Fostering a safe and healthy environment is an absolute prerequisite and number one priority for the industrial minerals sector. People are at the heart of the extraction business. Traditionally, mining is a long-term business lasting, in some cases, as much as 125 years. People may work for 20 years or more for the same company, and even over several generations. A safe working environment and good community relations are keys to a sustainable business environment. HEALTH AND AT THE WORKPLACE Fostering a safe and healthy environment is an absolute prerequisite and number one priority for the industrial minerals sector. This is reflected in several initiatives, from research projects and scientific workshops, to agreements and training programmes. COMMUNITY RELATIONS Industrial mineral mining operations need license to operate. Good community relations are therefore key. In view of facilitating stakeholder dialogue, IMA-Europe launched several awareness raising initiatives: European Minerals Day and the IMA-Europe Award Scheme. TOGETHER FOR A Safe and Healthy Environment

10 TOGETHER FOR IMA Dust Monitoring Programme In 2000, IMA-Europe started building an industry-wide database of on-site exposure measurements of respirable dust. Since then, industrial mineral companies, including SMEs, have been collecting exposure data following a common protocol which meets strict quality criteria. The 20,000 samples collected to date give a complete picture of the exposure levels in the industrial minerals industry. We observe an encouraging reduction in the exposures year after year, which is tangible proof that prevention initiatives such as dust monitoring and the promotion of good practices through NePSi, the European Network on Silica, are effective. IMA Safety Initiative Over the years, the industrial minerals industry has put a significant amount of energy and efforts into improving safety at work. In 2010, IMA-Europe launched an anual collection of safety statistics (Frequency Rate of Accidents) across all its member companies. Eventually, these objective figures showing a positive trend in the industry s safety performance will be made public. NePSi, the European Network on Silica In 2006, IMA-Europe was one of the 18 signatories of the Social Dialogue Agreement on Workers Health Protection through the Good Handling and Use of Crystalline Silica and Products Containing it. Known as NePSi, the European Network on Silica, the signatories represent 15 sectors, more than two million employees and a business exceeding 250 billion euros. Responsible for the NePSi Secretariat, IMA-Europe is strongly committed to the promotion of the Agreement and Good Practices and the monitoring of their application, principally through the coordination of a reporting exercise conducted by more than 6,000 sites across Europe every two years. European Minerals Day The last edition of this pan-european Open Day played host to children and adults at over 180 sites in 21 European countries and 11 in the rest of the world. European Minerals Day provides the public especially local communities - with the chance to explore the world of minerals, and discover more about an industry that affects every aspect of our lives. It has become very successful for communicating with stakeholders and raising awareness about the role of minerals in daily life, while positioning the sector as a partner in sustainable development. ( Partner of the EU OSHA Healthy Workplaces Campaigns IMA Europe is a regular partner of the European Agency for Safety and Health at Work (EU-OSHA) Healthy Workplaces campaigns since The campaigns aim at encouraging managers, workers and other stakeholders to join forces to improve safety and health. In 2008, IMA-Europe participated, on behalf of NePSi, in the European Good Practice competition organized as part of the Healthy Workplaces campaign on risk assessment. NEPSI received a Good Practice Certificate for its positive contribution to the promotion of risk assessment through its Good Practice Guide and its detailed task sheets. IMA Recognition Award Every two years, the IMA-Europe Recognition Award rewards initiatives that promote the industrial minerals sector through educational /awareness projects or which contribute to the innovation within the sector. Since its first edition in 2006, the IMA-Europe Recognition Award has recognised four third party initiatives. Two were given to inspiring biodiversity projects (WWF Austria and Forum Rohstoffe in 2006 and the IUCN Countdown 2010 initiative), and two were awarded to regional authorities that raise awareness about the importance of industrial minerals in their region (Rhineland Regional Council in 2008, and the Regione Lombardia in 2010). 16 CYCLING NITIE S GREE N TECH N RCE USE EMPLOYMENT RECYCLIN G SAFE HEALTH UPPLY SAFET Y BEST MATERIALS ROWTH PRACTICES EMPLOYMEN T RESEARCH ATERIAL S BIODYVERSITY MONITORING WORKPLACE BIODIVERSIT Y PEOP ENVIROMEN T MATERIAL S ONITORING BIODYVERSI TY FFICIENCY ROWT H REEN RESOURCE USE

11 REEN RESOURCE USE ROWTH FFICIENCY BIODYVERSI TY EMPLOYMEN T ONITORING BEST MATERIALS ROWTH PRACTICES BIODIVERSIT Y PEOPL MONITORING ENVIROMEN T WORKPLACE MATERIAL S ASTE WARENESS RESEARCH HEALTH CE USE EMPLOYMENT IMA-Europe AISBL Twin Gardens 26, rue des Deux Eglises (6 floor) B-1000 Brussels, Belgium BIODYVERSITY TERIAL S Tel: 32 (0) Fax: 32 (0) SAFET Y RECYCLIN G PPLY SAF GREE N TECH N ITIES YCLING