The legacy of mining is extensive and deeply rooted in history. Mining activities expanded in the 18th century with the start of the Industrial Revolution and contributed to economic development and prosperity, especially during the 19th and 20th centuries.
For about 200-years, Umicore’s predecessor companies, including Union Minière, were involved in mining zinc and other metals. By the mid-1990s, Union Minière began foregoing its remaining mining rights to focus on added-value materials and recycling. It closed its last mine in the early 1970s.
In 2001 Umicore was established, marking a complete departure from its mining past. Today, Umicore is a global leader in circular materials technology, specialized in clean mobility, recycling, and sustainable materials. Its circular business model uniquely combines materials technology and non-ferrous metals recycling.
The historical operation of the mines, their decommissioning and the return of mining concessions to state authorities have always been conducted in accordance with applicable mining laws. While Umicore’s role has fundamentally changed, it commits to remediating historical sites responsibly in accordance with applicable laws.
Remediation practices are continually updated to meet evolving and stricter standards to mitigate the long-term impacts of historical mining activities. Each project is tailored to the specific conditions of the sites – their geography, historical usage, and the types of minerals extracted – to ensure that the solutions are effective and sustainable.
