The Mineral Products Association (MPA) is supporting the 10th anniversary of European Minerals Day today [21st September], and welcomes the fact that the European Union is making the link between the need for minerals and mineral products because of their use in construction, manufacturing and the wider economy.

Mineral producers across Europe are expected to attract visits from an estimated 30,000 people, giving visitors an opportunity to find out what goes on behind the gates of quarries, mines and plants. Over 130 events have been registered in 26 countries, and activities include school visits, guided tours, workshops, exhibitions, and biodiversity projects.

The sector is important to the EU jobs and growth agenda as it directly employs around 1 million people across 30,000 active mines, quarries and plants in Europe, and has an annual turnover of more than €150 billion. The minerals sector forms an integral part of the European value chain with 70% of EU manufacturing depending on the minerals, metals and raw materials mined.

Nigel Jackson, CEO of the Mineral Products Association, commented:

"MPA is an active member of 12 European mineral based trade associations representing the aggregates, cement, concrete, dimension stone, lime, mortar and silica sand industries. We are proud to work with our European colleagues highlighting the significant contribution our great industries make to the European economy whilst also sharing ideas, best practices and influencing technical standards and design codes. This is important work which we will continue to support post Brexit.

Our contribution to European Minerals Day will be our Quarries & Nature 2017 event at the Royal Society on 19 October where we will showcase and celebrate the high quality restoration of our members quarries and the contribution they make to nature conservation and the environment. We will also be using our social media platforms to make the link."

Ends.

Notes for Editors:

• Minerals are crucial for the development of modern, environmentally-friendly technologies and downstream products as well as energy-efficient housing and infrastructure. Minerals are essential raw materials in most manufacturing sectors, including: paint, electronics, appliances, metal casting and foundry, paper, plastics, glass, ceramics, detergents, pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, construction materials and agriculture. They are also used as processing aids or supplements in the food and feed industries, and have an increasingly important role to play in environmental engineering such as water treatment and filtration, in gas treatment, and in renewable energies, such as photovoltaic solar cells, wind turbines and electric cars.
• The countries participating in European Minerals Day, include Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Germany, Spain, Estonia, Finland, France, Greece, Hungary, Italy, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Serbia, Sweden, Slovenia, Turkey, United Kingdom, Ukraine, as well as North America, Brazil, Malaysia and South Africa.
• Multiple stakeholders are joining forces to boost awareness on mineral raw materials. The EMD is currently led by a consortium of 10 European partners: IMA-Europe, CEMBUREAU, EuSalt, EuroGypsum, Eurométaux, Euromines, EuroGeoSurveys, the European Technology Platform on Sustainable Minerals Resources, UEPG with the support of IndustriAll and the European Federation of Geologists – representing the European industrial minerals, cement, salt, gypsum, aggregates, metals and mining sectors as well as the European geological surveys and trade unions.
• Since 2014, the EMD is a commitment under the European Innovation Partnership on Raw Materials
• Did you know? A family house contains up to 150 tons of minerals - A car contains up to 250kg of minerals. Up to 50% of paint and paper are made up of minerals - Ceramics and glass are 100% made out of minerals
• For more information click here
• Follow European Minerals Day on Twitter @MineralsDay and on Facebook.