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.