MPA supports minerals conference

The Mineral Products Association (MPA) played an active and supporting at the CBI Minerals Group’s ‘Living with Minerals 5’ (LWM5) Conference on 17 November.

The conference, with its theme of ‘Towards a UK Minerals Strategy’, debated the merits of a UK Minerals Strategy, as well as drawing attention to the essential contribution of the minerals industry to the UK economy and quality of life.

New findings launched at the event revealed that:

• Minerals extraction generates a turnover of £5.3 billion, and £1.6 billion in Gross Value Added (GVA).
• UK minerals, including products manufacture and direct markets generate a GVA of £217 billion, 15% of the total UK Economy.
• The mining industry directly employs 37 000 people, and supports 3.2 million jobs through its supply chain.

Given the economic importance of the sector and the fact it is a long-term industry, where it typically takes 5 to 15 years to get from site identification to production, a long-term UK Minerals Strategy is seen as key. The recent BIS select committee report on ‘The Extractive Industries’ recommends the development of a ‘domestic extractives plan’ with a BIS Minister responsible.

Nigel Jackson, CEO of MPA and Chair of the CBI Minerals Group, said: “Industry wants to lead the development of a minerals strategy. We are not seeking Government resources or money, but we are hoping for stronger and more material Government policy recognition and support.

“Mineral supplies are critical to national infrastructure, the built environment and the economy and strategic thinking is needed to help strengthen the sector’s resilience to a complex and uncertain future.

“Our industry is now better organised, aligned, equipped, less fragmented and the UK Minerals Forum brings together all key stakeholders and enables us to test the key issues in a constructive way.”

The LWM5 Conference was a full day event featuring high profile speakers from government, industry and academia.

Adapted from press release by Katie Woodward

Read the article online at: https://www.worldcement.com/europe-cis/21112014/mpa-supports-lwm5-minerals-conference-2113/