Consequences of Environmental Issues on Sustainability of Metal Industries in Europe: The Case Study of BOR

It is well known that the current environmental legislation put very stringent restrictions for the management of solid, liquid and gaseous wastes from industrial applications not only in Europe but also all over the world. It is also very well established through the years that the exploitation of the natural mineral resources (mining, ore processing and metallurgical activities) interacts negatively with the environment. Therefore, the development based on mineral wealth seems to be in contrast with the current environmental legislation worldwide. This paper gives an overview of European Union experiences towards sustainable development of metals industry sector