News & Events
Latest News
IMA-Europe signed the Countdown 2010 Declaration on Biodiversity
The Signature Ceremony will take place at the IMA Conference on 11 September 2008, in the presence of Mr Tamás Marghescu, IUCN Regional Director. On behalf of the industrial minerals sector, IMA-Europe committed to contribute to the protection of biodiversity (see Countdown 2010 Declaration).
See www.countdown2010.net for more information.
IMA-Europe Partner of "Lighten the Load" Campaign
"Lighten the load" was the 2007 campaign of the European Agency for Safety and Health at Work to tackle musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) in the workplace. IMA-Europe was an official partner of the campaign as the protection of workers' health and safety is at the heart of IMA's founding principles.(http://ew2007.osha.europa.eu/comments/)
EuLA joins IMA-Europe as a new Member as of 1 July 2007
The representation of the industrial minerals industry strenghtened still with the affiliation of the European Lime Association. EuLA represents 200 companies, offering direct employment to around 14.000 people, and producing an annual volume of 25 Mt of lime and dolime, and contributing around €2.5 billion to Europe's GDP. Around 500 companies in 27 countries, operating a thousand mines and quarries and more than a thousand processing plants, are now directly represented through the IMA-Europe umbrella. See press release.
Securing access to raw materials an EU and G8 priority
Pushed by the German Presidency, access to raw materials was on the agenda of the G8 on 6-8 June. The G8 final Declaration, adopted on 7 June, includes a declaration on Responsibility for raw materials: transparency and sustainable growth, which addresses the key priorities for a sustainable and transparent approach to this question. Commission Vice-President Günther Verheugen, responsible for enterprise and industry policy, said at a press conference on 5 June that "European industries need predictability in the flow of raw materials and stable prices to remain competitive. We are committed to improve the conditions of access to raw materials (...)."
European Minerals Day 2007 - a successful launch!
From 10-13 May 2007, minerals companies all over Europe opened their doors to the public or invited schools to explore the world of minerals. 106 sites in 17 countries took part, welcoming all together over 30.000 visitors. More information on: www.mineralsday.eu. The next event is scheduled for 24-26 April 2009.
WWF Austria and Forum Rohstoffe receive IMA’s first Recognition Award
IMA Europe has awarded WWF Austria and Forum Rohstoffe for their joint educational efforts to raise awareness about industrial minerals and the biodiversity on and around rehabilitated quarries. The Award Ceremony took place in the European Parliament under the patronage of Mr Malcolm Harbour MEP in the attendance of 120 people. Download the press release.
OSHA "Safe Start Campaign"
IMA-Europe joined the OSHA effort to raise awareness of occupational health and safety concepts amongst the young career starters. More information can be found on the OSHA website.
IMA-Europe 2006 Conference
IMA-Europe held its biennial conference in Strasbourg on 6-8 September 2006. High-level speakers from industry and the European Commission addressed the sector’s competitiveness challenges ahead, and presented industry case studies. (see programme, speaker profiles and proceedings).
First European multi-sectoral Social Dialogue Agreement
On 25 April 2006, the very first European multi-sectoral Social Dialogue Agreement was signed in the presence of Vladimír Špidla, European Commissioner for Employment, Social Affairs and Equal Opportunities. The 'Agreement on Workers Health Protection through the Good Handling and Use of Crystalline Silica and Products containing It' aims at improving the protection of over 2 million workers employed in the EU. The signatory sectors are aggregates, ceramics, foundry, mortar, pre-cast concrete, cement, mining, glass (special glass, flat glass and packaging glass), insulation materials, natural stone, and industrial minerals. The principal tool for the implementation of the agreement is a Good Practice Guide including Task Sheets compiled by the sectors.
Download the press release in EN, FR and DE and the Agreement in EN, FR, DE.
