The future of the European raw materials industry is dependent on building strong connections with society. It is crucially important that society has an accurate understanding of the importance of mineral resources and their sourcing in ethical and sustainable ways. The new educational and inspirational video for kids ‘Minerals and metals in your life’ shows the importance of minerals and metals in our lives, from a piece of rock into a product we all use in daily life. 

Development and promotion of soft skills and competences for Occupational Safety and Health management system will be presented at the RawMat2021 Conngress in Athens 5 - 9 September 2021. Aiming at identifying the gaps and needs of extractive SMEs and micro enterprises the Project on Occupational Health and Safety covered not only the traditional but also the new and emerging risks to occupational safety and health. The knowledge gathered has been used to develop training material and self-assessment tools to help employees comply with and to raise awareness for occupational health and safety legislation.

Yesterday, the Commission's services have published the 2021 edition of the Employment and Social Developments in Europe (ESDE) review. The ESDE review shows that the social impact of the COVID-19 crisis has been diverse.
The outbreak of COVID-19 in Europe has affected all of us – our countries, our communities, our families. It has also affected all of Europe’s industries, including the mining industry. In the past months our sector’s top priority has been to ensure the health and safety of our employees and to secure supplies of raw materials into the diversity of Europe’s supply chains amidst border closures and lockdown measures. 

This week the Commission is renewing its commitment to update occupational safety and health rules by adopting the EU strategic framework on health and safety at work 2021-2027. It sets out the key actions needed to improve workers' health and safety over the coming years. Euromines Director Rolf Kuby highlights: “Safe and healthy working conditions are a top priority for the European mining industry. Euromines members seek continual improvement of good, safe and positive working conditions taking all protection measures necessary. Companies also frequently extend workforce health and wellbeing programmes to local communities and contractors, helping people in the surrounding areas.”