Increasing Raw Material Demand
The technological progress leads to a steadily increasing demand for raw materials. In high-tech sectors such as photovoltaics, aerospace, optics and medicine, more and more complex metals and alloys are being used, so that the consumption of raw materials is increasing. Tin and indium, for example, are indispensable in flat screen and photovoltaic technology. Without these metals, neither flat screens nor mobile phone displays would work. By 2035, the demand for indium is expected to increase by 67%.1 Marscheider-Weidemann, F., Langkau, S., Hummen,T., Erdmann, L., Tercero Espinoza, L., Angerer, G., Marwede, M. & Benecke, S. (2016): Rohstoffe für Zukunftstechnologien 2016 – 353 S., Berlin.
Mining is necessary to guarantee the supply of raw materials in Germany and Europe and to be able to tackle new technological challenges. To this end, raw material strategies have been developed by Saxony, Germany and the EU respectively.
Conflict-Free & Sustainable Mining
Did you know that a president of the mining authority defined the term "sustainability"? Hans Carl von CarlowitzHans Carl , a native of Saxony and president of the Mining Authority in the Erzgebirge, formed the basis for the idea of sustainability, which is discussed worldwide today, with his treatise on the sustainable use of the forest. His findings also play a major role for us, because sustainability is more important than ever. We work according to the most modern environmental standards and integrate the topic of sustainability into every area of our company. You can find more information on the topic of environmental protection and sustainability here.
Conflict Minerals
The high global demand for raw materials often leads to mining in politically unstable countries, which is associated with human rights violations, violent conflicts and illegal activities. Particularly critical here are tin, tantalum, tungsten and gold, which are therefore also referred to as conflict elements. The mining of these four elements is most often associated with armed conflict and human rights violations.2https://ec.europa.eu/trade/policy/in-focus/conflict-minerals-regulation/regulation-explained/index_de.htm
It is difficult for consumers to know whether they are supporting this type of resource extraction by buying everyday products. In 2016, the European Union reached an agreement and issued a regulation that regulates the responsible sourcing of conflict minerals from 2021 onwards.3 https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/de/IP_16_3931
Promotion of the Region & Continuation of Tradition
The Erzgebirge is known for its mining tradition. Since 2019 the "Montanregion Erzgebirge/Krušnohoří" is part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site. On the German side alone, this includes 17 components such as technical monuments, individual monuments and material entities. Our goal is to preserve and continue the mining tradition.
In addition to preserving tradition, the region is being promoted through new, modern mining. Ore mining is being brought back to the Erzgebirge and new jobs are being created. With a new tourism concept, we want to link traditional mining with modern mining and thus attract even more visitors to the Erzgebirge.
