Unitary management and environmental performance by monitoring and protection of mineral resources for construction materials from Romania

Today, protection of natural mineral resources depends on their reasonable use and management. Environment management is essential in understanding the complex actions between the present earth surface and the control of production in the extractive field. All branches of extractive activities and competitiveness on the global market are closely connected with the application of coherent and unitary programs for the protection of natural resources and the environment by economic agents. As in other European countries, Romania has adopted standards, laws, norms or settlements concerning not only the quality of products but also an integrated system of quality and environment management. Research carried out between 2003 and 2005 in the MENER program—having governmental financial funds—attempted to unify and introduce the concept of environmental management for the exploitation of clays for the ceramic industry, minimization of the impact of physical environment, human or social productive activities, achievement of systematic and thorough studies regarding the effect on the exploitation habitat or contribution for the achievement of strategies of specified domains, for a short and a long term. The analysis and monitoring works, and the specific assessments and expert appraisements (geological, geodesic, technical—economic and production) carried out as part of the study demonstrate the possibility of efficient implementation of a unitary quality, production and environment management system.