The “European Minerals Conference Madrid 2010” is organised by the extractive industry representatives both at European and at Spanish level, included in the official conference programme of the EU Spanish Presidency with the support of the Spanish Ministry for Industry, Tourism and Commerce.

In November 2008, the European Commission has approved and published the Communication from the Commission to the European Parliament and the Council “The raw materials initiative — meeting our critical needs for growth and jobs in Europe” (COM (2008) 699 final).

In this document, the European Commission stated that “Raw materials are essential for the sustainable functioning of modern societies. Access to and affordability of mineral raw materials are crucial for the sound functioning of the EU's economy. Sectors such as construction, chemicals, automotive, aerospace, machinery and equipment sectors which provide a total value added of € 1 324 billion and employment for some 30 million people all depend on access to raw materials.”

“Securing reliable and undistorted access to raw materials is increasingly becoming an important factor for the EU’s competitiveness and, hence, crucial to the success of the Lisbon Partnership for growth and jobs. The critical dependence of the EU on certain raw materials underlines that a shift towards a more resource efficient economy and sustainable development is becoming even more pressing”.

With this Communication, the Commission proposed to launch a European Raw material initiative with the commitment to report to the Council in 2 years on the implementation of the raw materials initiative.

June 2010, under the EU Spanish Presidency, is a great opportunity to discuss and to share views, between all the– European Commission, Member States, other Administrations, Extractive Industry CEOs and stakeholders – looking at the expected development of the Communication and its benefits for the industry and for the EU economy, especially in the access to resources from an industrial, land planning and environment point of view.

Representatives of Spanish Ministry for Industry, Tourism and Commerce and of the European Commission will attend this “European Minerals Conference Madrid 2010” as key speakers. Other relevant speakers will be Members of the European Parliament, Member States representatives, extractive industry high level representatives - both at European and Spanish level -.

A final “Madrid Raw Materials Declaration 2010” on how to EU Raw Materials Initiative is running in this two years in order to promote a sustainable access to resources in Europe will be the final document for this European Conference.

Communication from the Commission
Opinion of the European Economic and Social Committee

Extractive
Industry

Raw Materials
in Europe