Rock quarrying involves encroaching upon the landscape and using mineral raw materials that have formed over millions of years. In order to ensure that the growth of our Group goes hand in hand with sustainable development for the environment, we aim to deal responsibly with natural raw materials.
HeidelbergCement is committed to preserving biodiversity
Protecting species and nature
The natural resources needed to manufacture building materials form the basis of our Group. The consumption of natural resources is generally reduced on an ongoing basis by means of efficient production technology and the use of alternative raw materials. To this end, we are making increasing use of by-products from other industries, such as blast furnace slag or fly ash.
In raw materials quarrying, the highest priority is given to environmentally-friendly quarrying processes and the subsequent measures for the renaturation and recultivation of the quarrying areas. As early as at the stage of selecting the areas, HeidelbergCement plans ambitious concepts for the quarrying and subsequent use. The areas are either prepared as productive land for agriculture or forestry or – in an increasing number of cases – returned to nature after use. The quarries and aggregate pits enrich the landscape and create habitats for animal and plant species that are increasingly being displaced from modern agricultural landscapes.
Group guideline on biodiversity
HeidelbergCement has developed indicators for measuring biodiversity in order to make the ecological value of quarrying sites and the effects of nature conservation measures both measurable and predictable before, during and after quarrying. A Group-wide guideline for recultivation and biodiversity is currently being developed on the basis of these indicators and is set to be adopted in all countries in which the Group is active. The guideline will allow measures for the extraction of raw materials and the renaturation of quarries to be co-ordinated internationally in a uniform way, thus creating the foundations for systematic implementation of the biodiversity goals. We want to use our opportunities to counteract the global decrease in species diversity.
Recultivation
By active measures used quarries are converted for agriculture, forestry or leisure activities. |
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Renaturation
Native plants and animals start colonising manmade sites without any human contribution (natural succession). As a result, a diverse community of living creatures native to the location can emerge and develop – hereby former quarries offer habitats for rare species of plants and animals. |
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