15 -17 May 2009, a range of events - plant and quarry tours, presentations of site restoration or environmental projects - will take place across Europe to increase awareness of the issues facing the minerals industry. European Minerals Day presents an opportunity to educate the public of the presence of industrial minerals everywhere in the world and of the vital role they play in daily life. This year the focus will be on the protection of biodiversity, with visitors getting an opportunity to discover examples of the flora and fauna found on restored mining sites.

In support of this, around 20 Imerys sites will participate; events planned include open days, school visits and presentations of their activities to elected representatives and the press. For Imerys Ceramics, two sites are involved: Dordogne, which produces quartz for Electrometallurgy and Marcognac, which produces ceramic bodies for the tableware market.

The full programme of events for European Minerals Day and the list of participating companies can be found at www.mineralsday.eu.