Promoting Sustainability in Finnish Aggregate Supply: Challenges and Solutions

1. Promoting sustainability in aggregate supply –a Finnish case studyMika Räisänen and Hannu IdmanGeological Survey of Finland Sustainable resource management, raw material security........ December 6-7, 2006 in Bruges, Belgium

2. OUTLINE • Introduction: Sustainable development in the context of mineral supply • Present situation of aggregate production in Finland • Promoting sustainability in aggregate supply of the Finnish society • Future challenges Sustainable resource management, raw material security........ December 6-7, 2006 in Bruges, Belgium

3. NON-RENEWABLE AGGREGATES Data from EuroGeoSurveys Renewable resources aggregates Non-renewable resources Sustainable resource management, raw material security........ December 6-7, 2006 in Bruges, Belgium

4. PROMOTING SUSTAINABILITY IN MINERAL SUPPLY Thematic strategy for sustainable management of Natural Resources Economic Growth • Basic challenge in • combining: • - growing economy • - developing society • - sound environment • Basic question: • how can we as • geoscientists • promote decoupling? 2 Growth of resource use Growth of env’l impacts Relative decoupling 1 Absolute decoupling 2005 2030 Sustainable resource management, raw material security........ December 6-7, 2006 in Bruges, Belgium

5. PRESENT SITUATION OF AGGREGATE PRODUCTION IN FINLAND Basic features of the geology of Finland • Neogene (Quaternary) • Loose Sediments • Derived from Last • Glaciation • Moraine, Clay, Sand & • Gravel,Peat • Precambrian Crystalline • Basement • From Archean to Proterozoic in Age • Granitoids, Schists, Gneisses and Migmatites Sustainable resource management, raw material security........ December 6-7, 2006 in Bruges, Belgium

6. UTILISATION OF AGGREGATES • Production ca. 100 million tonnes/year • 18 tonnes/capita • Based almost entirely on: • - sand and gravel deposits • - crushed rock • Use of aggregates concentrated in urban (growth) areas • 2/3 is used for public applications • Road construction (50%), building of houses (15 %), asphalt pavements 10 (%), concrete (10 %), and other (15 %) Sustainable resource management, raw material security........ December 6-7, 2006 in Bruges, Belgium

7. Natural resources: cover >> 95% of aggregate production Left-over resources: inefficiently used potential Sustainable resource management, raw material security........ December 6-7, 2006 in Bruges, Belgium

8. Resulting in . . . • shortage of accessible natural materials at urban growth areas • continuous increase in transportation distances • increase of harmful effects from transportation (costs, emissions, noise, dust, traffic) • negative effects on construction industry, infrastructure, to functioning of society….. Sustainable resource management, raw material security........ December 6-7, 2006 in Bruges, Belgium

9. PROMOTING SUSTAINABILITY IN AGGREGATE SUPPLY HOW? 1) By developing an accounting system that incorporates - data on natural aggregate resources - data on usage restrictions (e.g. natural protection areas) - data on left-over materials and industrial by-products - monitoring of extraction and utilisation • 2) Optimising the usage of left-over materials and super quarries • - the concept of centralised production areas (super quarries) and aggregate terminals • quality control of aggregate production as a basis for CE-labelled left-over aggregates • - reclamation of quarries and end-use application of quarries (recreational, land fill areas, industrial and housing areas etc.) Sustainable resource management, raw material security........ December 6-7, 2006 in Bruges, Belgium

10. WHO DOES IT? • Environmental authorities and land use planners • - environmental and land use data • Aggregate companies • - yearly information of extracted materials • Geological Survey of Finland • - data on resources • - data management and interpretation • - accountancy services for users • good collaboration of stakeholders is needed • legislative modifications also needed Sustainable resource management, raw material security........ December 6-7, 2006 in Bruges, Belgium

11. WHAT THE SYSTEM PRODUCES? • On-line information of aggregate resources and substitute materials • (quality, amount, location, usability) • On-line information on construction material flows • A tool for decision-making • HOW CAN IT BE USED? • Via Internet • WHO ARE THE USERS? • Environmental and quarry permit authorities • Land-use planners • Aggregate producers • WHEN IT WILL BE READY? • For the natural aggregates in 2008 • The substitute mineral materials to be integrated in following 2-3 years Sustainable resource management, raw material security........ December 6-7, 2006 in Bruges, Belgium

12. FUTURE CHALLENGES • The system provides an accounting system for natural aggregate resources and their substitutes and the system should be developed towards a comprehensive environmental accounting system that incorporates: • - aggregate resources (natural, substitutes) • - utilisation and future consumption predictions • HOWEVER • Methodological development is needed for: • valuation of aggregate stocks • environmental impacts also in monetary terms • cost analysis of the other environmental values • (e.g. scenic values, dust, and noise, • eco-efficiency of by-products). Sustainable resource management, raw material security........ December 6-7, 2006 in Bruges, Belgium

13. SUMMARY: VISION OF THE FUTURE Utilisation of aggregates in Finland 1988 - 2030 Natural aggregates Left-over materials (minerals and substitutes) 1988 1995 2000 2010 2030 2005 2020 International research cooperation IGC 2008 Theme sustainable development and environment Sustainable resource management, raw material security........ December 6-7, 2006 in Bruges, Belgium

14. Thank you for your attention! Sustainable resource management, raw material security........ December 6-7, 2006 in Bruges, Belgium