| Description |
Taken from Introduction: NESMI, the Network on European Sustainable Mining and Processing Industries started its work in April 2002. To recall the situation in which NESMI was established, some background have is essential. The mining industry still has significant importance for the European economy as well as significant impact on its ecology and regional development. The mining and adjacent industries produce about 9% of the raw materials required for the whole European industry. In some mining branches such as brown coal or NaCl production the European mining industry represents from 20% to 25% of the worldwide production. Mineral production in the EU is about 3 000 million tons per year, the largest mass producer in European industry. In the Eastern European countries the mining industry has additional high importance for employment. About 900.000 employees are working in mining production and adjacent companies in the European countries. |
