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.”

The recently published Report from the International Energy Agency 'The Role of Critical Minerals in Clean Energy Transitions' reveals a number of key aspects for the clean energy transition. 'When we speak of climate change adaptation, the European mining sector can secure the availability of the essential materials for a modern, climate neutral and resource efficient economy', highlights Mark Rachovides, President of Euromines. Euromines is prepared to take the necessary steps and bring its value added to a climate-resilient society, fully adapted to the unavoidable impacts of climate change, with reinforced adaptive capacity and minimal vulnerability. 

Euromines welcomes the New EU Industry Strategy and our members are ready to provide the needed mineral resources for the Green Deal and EU economy. One key element of implementing Europe’s Green Deal successfully must be increasing the resilience of value chains and returning value chains to Europe by setting the right framework conditions. 

Mark Rachovides, President of Euromines, said: “Industry is the backbone of a sustainable EU economy. A balanced approach to climate, energy and raw materials policies is required to boost European technological excellence along our value chains and to support innovation and investment by new and traditional industries.”