A two-day meeting on mineral resources provided an opportunity for representatives of the European Parliament and Commission, international finance and national government organisations, and of private industry to exchange views on a wide range of issues directly impacting on the future economic development of Europe.
The meeting, organised by the European Federation of Geologists (EFG) and the Pan-European Reserves and Resources Reporting Committee (PERC) on 20 and 21 November 2014 at Brussels, heard that Europe is increasingly dependent on imports of the raw materials required to sustain current, and develop new technological, industrial production. Demand from new, emerging economies, including China, is putting these supplies at ever increasing risk. This is an issue of significant importance as over 30,000,000 jobs in Europe are directly dependent on access to raw materials.
The European Commission has developed a series of initiatives to address the problem. In particular, the Raw Materials Initiative seeks to ensure access to international markets for European industry, sustainable production from European resources, and recycling efficiency.
Conference proceedings
The overall EU policy objective was clearly outlined by Reinhard Bütikofer, MEP, and current member of the Committee on Industry, Reasearch and Energy (ITRE) of the Parliament. He stressed that future growth in Europe must be inclusive, sustainable and transparent.
There was general agreement that, if these objectives are to be achieved then, actions must be taken at European, national and industry level. At European level consistent, and interlinked, policy initiatives are required. National governments need to implement clear and transparent regulations. Industry, if it is to obtain a social licence to operate, must communicate clearly with all stakeholders and conduct their activities to the highest standards.
It was also recognised that, if policy makers are to plan the best environment for investment, and provide proper guidance, then they must have access to quality statistics and reports. This requires consistent minerals reporting across the commodity life cycle from discovery through development, and production, to end of life recycling.
It was agreed that open dialogue between the major stakeholders in finance, regulatory and industry sectors is essential. That dialogue can only be successful if all participants understand and agree the common principles.
It was recommended that this objective is best served by the adoption of the standards of transparency, materiality, competency and impartiality embodied in the Pan-European Code for the Reporting of Mineral Exploration Results, Mineral Resources and Reserves.
About EFG: The European Federation of Geologists is a non-governmental organisation that was established in 1981 and includes today 24 national association members. EFG is a professional organisation whose main aims are to contribute to a safer and more sustainable use of the natural environment, to protect and inform the public and to promote a more responsible exploitation of natural resources. EFG’s members are National Associations whose principal objectives are based in similar aims. The guidelines to achieve these aims are the promotion of excellence in the application of geology and the creation of public awareness of the importance of geoscience for the society. www.eurogeologists.eu
About PERC: PERC is the organisation responsible for setting standards for public reporting of exploration results, mineral resources, and mineral reserves by companies listed on markets in Europe. It is a member of CRIRSCO, the Committee For Mineral Reserves International Reporting Standards, and the PERC Reporting Standard is fully aligned with the CRIRSCO Reporting Template. www.PERCstandard.eu
The Min-Win-Win Conference was supported by: Committee for Mineral Reserves International Reporting Standards (CRIRSCO), Euromines, Geological Survey of Belgium – Royal Belgian Institute of Natural Sciences, Geological Society of London (GSL), Institute of Geologists of Ireland (IGI), Industrial Minerals Association (IMA), Institute of Materials, Minerals and Mining (IOM3), International Union of Geological Sciences (IUGS) Task Group on Global Geoscience Professionalism and United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE).
AIG is also a International Union of Geological Sciences (IUGS) Task Group on Global Geoscience Professionalism member.
