Representatives from German and EU policy-makers, extractive industries, social partners, environmental and academic organisations agreed on the importance of raw material supply and supported dialogue to ensure sustainable and reasoned quarrying and mining practices.

We are happy to welcome the launch of "Sustainable Mining of Galicia", a regional network developed by The Chamber of Mines of Galicia (COMG), with the participation of:

• Clúster del Granito de Galicia / Galician Granite Cluster
• Clúster de la Pizarra de Galicia / Galician Slate Cluster
• Asociación Gallega de Aridos (Arigal) / Galician Aggregates Association
• Asociación Gallega de la Propiedad Balnearia / Galician Spas Association
• Asociación Gallega de Empresas de Envasado de Agua Mineral Natural / Galician Natural Mineral Water Companies Association
• Asociación Provincial de Graniteros de Ourense / Association of Granite Companies of Ourense
• Escuela de Ingeniería de Minas y Energía (Universidade de Vigo) / School of Mining and Energy (University of Vigo)
• Instituto Universitario de Xeoloxía Isidro Parga Pondal (Universidade da Coruña) / Geological Institute “Isidro Parga Pondal” (University of A Coruna)
• Colegio Oficial de Geólogos / Professional Association of Geologists
• Colegio Oficial de Ingenieros de Minas del Noroeste / Professional Association of Mining Engineers
• Colegio Oficial de Ingenieros Técnicos y Grados en Minas y Energía de Galicia / Galician Professional Association of Mining and Energy Engineers

 
The main aims are:

• To promote mining sector in a sustainable way, through research and information outreach.
• To share works, studies and innovation related to mining activities.
• To make up-to-date information about the mining industry in Galicia accessible for anyone.

 
To achieve this, visit the initiative's website, a digital platform that facilitates the dissemination and exchange of scientific/technical information among the participating agents. It has a blog section, where we will post news weekly in order to highlight the compatibility of mining activities with the environment and enhance their sustainability.
 
Profiles are also available on social networks:

• Facebook 
• Twitter 
• LinkedIn 
• Youtube 

A correct management of geological resources allows for compatibility between extraction and biodiversity management, even in protected areas. This was one of the main conclusions to which more that 130 national and international experts came to during the International Forum "Contribution of the extractive industry to the Natura 2000 network - an opportunity for biodiversity".  This event was held on 9 February 2017, at the Spanish Ministry for Agriculture and Fisheries, Food and the Environment in Madrid, Spain.

The European Network for Sustainable Quarrying and Mining (ENSQM) is a raw material commitment linked with the Strategic Implementation Action Plan of the European Innovation Partnership–(EIP) on Raw Materials, under the non-technological pillar: “Improving Europe's raw materials framework conditions, and public awareness”. It is launched for the period 2017-2020.

Five European and two national mineral raw materials associations, as well as two national authorities launched this joint initiative to creating a platform facilitating stakeholder dialogue at national level and with the EU and promoting a culture of sustainable mining and quarrying. The mineral sectors involved so far are gypsum (Eurogypsum), aggregates (UEPG), cement (CEMBUREAU), salt (EUSalt) and industrial minerals (IMA-Europe), as well as the Spanish non-energy extractive industry association (COMINROC) and the German BV Steine und Erden. The national authorities supporting this initiative are the Centre for the Development of Industrial Technology (CDTI) in Spain and the Department for Energy and Geology in Portugal.

With their holistic and inclusive approach on sustainable mining and quarrying – addressing and taking into account economic, social and environmental values, the partners seek to facilitate a culture of cooperation and synergy among all key stakeholders, and as such contribute to objectives of the raw materials initiative. More information can be found here.

In 2017, two main activities are planned to foster constructive dialogue at national and EU level for enhancing access to resources for growth and jobs in the European Union:

• On 10 February 2017, Cominroc will host a workshop in Spain on the "Contribution of the extractive industry to the Natura 2000 network - a chance for biodiversity”. Daniel Calleja Crespo, Director General for the Environment at the European Commission, will inaugurate this first Network’s activity by giving the key note speech;
• In autumn 2017, there will be a workshop in Germany organized by the German BV Steine und Erden.

The network is open to any stakeholders bringing value to the European network and encourage national stakeholders to join the network and the commitment.

Contact: Jessica Johnson, CEMBUREAU

On 24 June 2016 EU, national and regional policymakers joined the raw materials sector in Pamplona to discuss compatibility between extraction activities and Natura 2000 sites.  One of the key highlights of the discussion was ways in which the various actors can work together to ensure that economic activities can be undertaken whilst at the same time managing and conserving biodiversity. 

The day was organised by the main organisations representing the extractive sector in Spain, notably MAGES, COMINROC, ANEFA, AFA de Navarra and AINDEX.  Daniel Calleja Crespo, European Commission Environment Director, introduced the 150 people present to the EU legislation which is applicable to the sector in Natura 2000 areas, with a particular focus on the compatibility between generating economic growth through extraction activities and preserving the environment. He also underlined the importance of the extractive industry in terms of the social and economic opportunities it provides to local communities, primarily in rural areas. 

A wide range of stakeholders were invited to participate in a panel debate, offering participants the opportunity of gaining an insight into the views of industry, policymakers and NGO's.

A full report in Spanish is available from here