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 were involved in mining zinc and other metals. In 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 1970. In 2001 Umicore was established as a transformed company with a circular business model, concentrating on materials technology.
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.
Remediation practices are continually updated to meet evolving and stricter standards to mitigate the long-term impacts of historical mining activities. The projects are 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.