Mine sites

Mining sites are vitally important, as they provide the raw materials required for cement production. However, opening new sites often comes into conflict with the need for landscape protection. It is therefore essential that these economic and environmental interests are given equal weight.

Gabenschopf quarry, Siggenthal cement plant (image: LafargeHolcim)

High hurdles for new mine sites

Cement is produced using materials such as limestone and marl. These naturally occurring minerals have to be mined at suitable locations. The cement industry often has to overcome high hurdles to be able to open new mining sites, particularly as the extraction of raw materials is often seen to run contrary to the goals of landscape and nature conservation. At the same time, high-density building construction is an overt political goal in many places – one that is simply not possible without the use of concrete.

Once exhausted, quarries are reclaimed by nature (image: Andreas Kofler)

The solution to this dichotomy is to give equal weight to both economic and environmental considerations. Legitimate landscape conservation must be seen in parallel with the equally legitimate use of raw materials. The demand for cement in Switzerland currently stands at around 4.9 million tonnes per year, a volume that only continues to increase. Supply has to be maintained to ensure that this demand can be met.