A core point on the agenda was the presentation of the European Commission’s new RESourceEU Action Plan, designed to accelerate the EU’s Raw Materials Strategy and reduce the Union’s dependency—by up to 50% by 2029—on critical inputs for battery, rare earth and defence-related value chains. The extractive industries play a strategic and indispensable role in delivering the raw materials needed for Europe and are essential to securing a sustainable European industrial base.

IndustriAll Europe welcomed the increased ambition of the action plan and the Commission’s proactive approach to circularity. We also strongly support the plan’s call for more investment in research and innovation, which is vital for improving sustainability, boosting efficiency and ensuring high-quality jobs in the sector. However, trade union representatives raised concerns regarding elements of the plan that could open the door to environmental deregulation. In addition, the trade union side firmly opposed any reconsideration of the current implementation or any possible future revisions of the Carcinogens, Mutagens and Reprotoxic Substances Directive that would dilute or weaken existing protections. While the Commission refers to taking into account the “specific operational realities” of the extractive, recycling and processing sectors, industriAll Europe stresses that this must never come at the expense of workers’ health, safety or environmental protection. Any attempt to lower standards is unacceptable: the highest level of protection must be fully upheld.

“No to raw materials supply at any cost. Public acceptance of new mining and extractive projects depends on binding rules, the highest standards and full transparency — never on lowering protections,” said Judith Kirton-Darling, General Secretary of industriAll Europe. She added: “And the answer to dependency cannot be to stockpile raw materials from abroad where human-rights due diligence is not guaranteed.”

EU Projects: Updates and New Opportunities

During the plenary meeting, industriAll Europe updated partners on the follow-up to the SODISEES project, presenting the communication packages and tools developed to support social dialogue in the sector. The project concluded with a final conference on 15 October and aimed to ensure social dialogue at all levels, promoting good working conditions and fair labour practices across the extractive industries.

A concept for a potential new joint EU project was also introduced. The initiative would promote Equality, Diversity, Inclusivity & Belonging (EDIB) across the extractive industries — a priority area of growing relevance for workplaces and sectoral cooperation.

Health & Safety: NEPSI and New Safety Guidelines

The social partners received an update on the NEPSI project, the multisectoral initiative focused on respirable crystalline silica. Upcoming activities include a dedicated seminar on stones, underlining the continued importance of preventing occupational exposure, as well as national workshops in various countries.

The meeting also featured a presentation of the new Guidelines on Vehicle & Pedestrian Safety in Quarries and Surface Mines, developed within the Advisory Committee on Safety and Health with strong involvement from industriAll Europe. These guidelines offer practical tools to reduce workplace risks and promote a culture of accident prevention.

A Warm Farewell to Jean-Pierre Damm

The plenary concluded with an emotional tribute to Jean-Pierre Damm (FO Énergie et Mines – France), who has served as Chair and Vice-Chair of the SSDC Extractive Industries on the workers’ side since 2007.

For his exceptional commitment, constant dedication and outstanding leadership as President and Vice-President of the Committee between 2007 and 2025, the social partners expressed their deep respect and sincere gratitude.

Under his leadership, the SSDC pursued and strengthened a constructive social dialogue based on cooperation, mutual respect and the search for common solutions for the benefit of the sector and its workers. This tribute reflected the deep appreciation and recognition of the social partners for his work, his vision and his lasting contribution to our activities.

Jean-Pierre Damm will be succeeded by Grzegorz Trefon (Kadra, Poland), who will take over as the workers’ representative in the leadership of the SSDC Extractive Industries.