Modern Quarrying July-August 2016

GLOBAL AGGREGATES FOCUS

the spotlight are full member aggregates association in Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, Costa Rica, Guatemala, Panama and in the Dominion Republic, with other countries in the region represented by companies or observers. The total regional market is estimated

which represents the industry in Ontario. However, the aggregates industry con- tinues to prosper there as the greater Toronto areas continues to develop; though with increasing difficulties in get- ting access to resources in the surround- ing Greater Golden Horseshoe area. OSSGA actively participated in the recent Provincial Plan Review, the results of which recognised the importance of aggregates, yet gave little consolation in better facilitating permitting. The Association is campaigning for a more positive industry image, counteracting a recent negative social media campaign. There are also aggregates associations in the Alberta and British Colombia prov- inces, though there is as yet no national Canadian association. Average aggregates consumption in Canada is around 13 t/capita which, like Scandinavia, is typical for a developed, rugged, sparsely-populated country with a severe climate. Global aggregates estimate Presenting an overview of his best data for global aggregates production, honor- ary president UPEG and GAIN coordinator Jim O’Brien says best estimates indicate a global production of 40-billion t, of which 60% of covered by China, India and the rest of Asia. This represents about 5,3 t/ capita for a population of 7,5-billion. At a global level, the industry still remains fragmented. The top 20 global aggregates producers comprise only 5,0% of production, with the remaining 95% being produced by SMEs. Empirical data indicated that t/capita increases as GDP/ capita increases; in other words, more aggregates are needed as an economy develops. Anticipated growth in global population and GDP/capita would indi- cate that by 2030, global aggregates production will increase to 55-billion t, a very positive message for the industry. The next GAIN meeting in 2018 has been proposed to take place in Spain. www.uepg.eu Report by JimO’Brien and summarised by Dale Kelly. Please note that the papers presented will be summarised in the next issue of MQ .

production declining 30% from 2008 to 2,6-billion t in 2015, equivalent to 5,0 t/ capita, now with a slight recovery. UEPG actively lobbies and works with the European institutions as well as other representative bodies andNGOs. Its top pri- orities include better access to resources as part of the Raw Materials Strategy; green and blue growth in fostering biodiversity; the upcoming regulation of Respirable Crystalline Silica; and campaigning against illegal operators – more prevalent in some central and southern European countries. New Zealand Apologieswere received fromRoger Parton, executive director of AQA (Aggregates & Quarry Association of New Zealand). The output of the aggregates industry there suf- fered amajor decline from2006 to 2011 but now is in a very positive growth, driven by new housing around Auckland, the devel- opment of highways between the major cities and the post-earthquake rebuilding in Christchurch. Access to resources is a challenge around the major cities, though even NGOs now recognise the need for aggregates, and recycling is being pushed very actively. Due to a coal mine tragedy, health and safety is now being strongly regulated with the aggregates industry regarded as part of the mining sector. AQA is proactive in developing safety best practice guidelines for the aggre- gates industry. Canada Apologies were received from the Ontario Stone, Sand & Gravel Association (OSSGA),

at 1,9-billion t, equivalent to 2,9 t/capita, the biggest components being Brazil, Colombia, Chile and Mexico. Overall, the region has exciting growth prospects driven by a growing population par- ticularly in the major cities, with huge demand for better housing, better trans- port infrastructure and healthcare. The region has challenges in precari- ous political systems, which can have neg- ative impacts on stability and economic growth, together with poor regulation which leads to unfair competition in the aggregates industry. On the positive side, responsible operators can obtain permits within two years for durations up to 30 years. FIPA is a positive force in improving the industry in the region. Europe Describing the challenges face in Europe, secretary-general of UEPG (European Aggregates Association), Dirk Fincke, explains that UEPG represents the aggre- gates industry across 29 countries (most of the EU 28 plus EFTA) and has a high- ly-efficient small office with three staff in Brussels, where the key European institu- tions are located. Europe has 24 working languages with a wide variety of cultures, most now using Euro currency. Europe has suf- fered a long recession, with aggregates

International and local delegates photographed at the GAIN conference in Somerset West (photograph courtesy Aspasa).

Honorary president UPEG and GAIN coordinator Jim O’Brien (photograph Dale Kelly).

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MODERN QUARRYING

July - August 2016