European Minerals Day 2009

The second European Minerals Day took place on May 15–17, 2009. Despite the economic crisis, this year’s event was even more successful than the first one in May 2007. Several factors contributed to its success.

First of all, the recognition and support by the European Commission, which mentions the European Minerals Day in its Communication (COM 2008/669): “… there is still limited public awareness of the importance of domestic raw materials for the European economy. More effective partnerships between universities, geological surveys and industry should be encouraged to address these challenges. The Commission will encourage initiatives such as the European Minerals Day 2009 … .” ¹.

The Commission Vice-President Günter Verheugen (Fig. 1), Commissioner for Enterprise and Industry, inaugurated the EMD 2009 at its launch event in Prague in the Czech Republic which was also attended by Czech MEP M. Ouzky, Chairman of the EP Environment Committee, the Czech Deputy ­Ministers for Industry and the Environment, Messrs T. Hüner and
F. Pelc, Mr J. Mil, the President of the Confederation of Czech Industry, and Mr S. Winkler, Head of Countdown 2010.  In addition, both the European Commission ­Directorates for Enterprise & Industry and for Environment lent their support to the press conference organised in Brussels on 13 May.

Secondly, the extensive partnership and support within the minerals sector and by its stakeholders was of considerable importance: In 2009, IMA-Europe (the European Industrial Minerals Association) and EMD coordinator joined forces with the European aggregates sector (UEPG), the European cement producers (CEMBUREAU) and the European ­Association of Geological Surveys (EuroGeoSurveys). Furthermore, the Countdown 2010 Secretariat (IUCN), the European Landowners Organisation (ELO), the trade union (EMCEF) and EU policy portals EurActiv.com and EurActiv.cz gave their ­active support.

The third factor which contributed to its success was the ­established link between the European Minerals Day 2009 (Fig. 2) and two EU policies: the Raw Materials Initiative and ­Biodiversity Protection. The contribution of the minerals sector to biodiversity has not been very much publicized, as it is part of the good environmental management of the sites. However, the timing to communicate information about this seemed appropriate and in this regard, the EU partners started collecting good biodiversity case studies from their members and published them on the Minerals Day website. Companies proudly presented their case studies to the public, and made them the subject of multiple school projects.

With a limited budget, the European Associations focussed their resources on a professional media campaign and an effective website (www.mineralsday.eu), but most of all, on a well directed and strong message. Following the successful partnership at the EMD 2009, the EU partners foresee further joint initiatives throughout 2010-2011 to sustain the momentum.

For further information/Für weitere Informationen:

www.mineralsday.eu and pictures/und Bilder:

www.ima-europe.eu/events/mineralsday2009/mineralsday.html

or contact/oder Kontakt:

Ms Amina Langedijk (EMD Coordi­nator, IMA-Europe).