On 20-22 September, the European Minerals Day will engage minerals producers all over Europe to host “Quarry and Plant Open Days”. Every second year, around 30,000 people from neighbouring communities seize this rare opportunity to experience the world of minerals up close and find out what goes behind the gates of the quarry, mine or plant in their vicinity.
The neighbouring communities and stakeholders are invited to discover minerals and experience how the mineral sector contributes to:
- The integration and importance of minerals in the local economies. Minerals operations are at the heart of many local economies and provide a significant number of jobs and growth with many businesses depending on them.
- The job opportunities our sector provides. Industry 4.0 has been embraced by the raw materials sector and has brought about modern workplaces.
- Importance in the value chain. Raw materials are linked to all industries across all supply chain stages. Minerals are vital components of essentials products we use daily – our computers, phones, cars, buses, roads, railways, glass, ceramics and even our homes.
- Re-industrialisation agenda. Without raw materials, which are the basis for all value chains, modern re-industrialisation of Europe would not be possible.
- Carbon neutral society. Raw materials are indispensable enablers for carbon-neutral solutions in all sectors of the economy. Given the scale of fast-growing material demand, primary raw materials will continue to provide for a large part of the market.
- Circular economy. The minerals sectors have embraced the concept of circular economy in its processes, maximising its favourable impact on the overall economy.