Omya: Operating at the Nexus of Mining and Construction

The role mining plays in sourcing the raw materials used in construction is usually restricted to mentions of iron ore, for use in steel, and gypsum, a key ingredient in cement.

Yet there is a raft of lesser-known mined minerals that also play an important role in construction. One of these is calcium carbonate, which is mostly extracted from deposits of limestone and marble. 

Calcium carbonate is used in the mixing of mortar to hold bricks, roofs and concrete blocks together. Its alkaline properties also allow construction sites to reduce their environmental impact, by neutralising acidic water and soil.

One of the chief miners of calcium carbonate is Omya, a Switzerland-based global mining company, with a presence in 30 countries. 

It operates 160 mines across Europe, North America and Asia. Its largest operations are in Vermont, in the US and in Orgon, France. It also mines talc, dolomite and perlite in various locations. 

Omya processes these minerals for use in construction, as well as in other industries, including paper, plastics and paint. 

It’s a producer of industrial minerals, ostensibly fillers and pigments derived from calcium carbonate and dolomite, but it is also a worldwide distributor of specialty chemicals. 

Omya mines minerals vital to construction industry

The minerals Omya mines and processes not only end up in products that form key construction building blocks, but they can also help with sustainability, the company says. 

Philipp Mueller is VP of Construction at Omya, and says: “The global construction and building sector accounts for almost 40% of energy related CO2 emissions globally. 

“Most of that comes from the operation of buildings during their lifetimes, but also from the materials that go into building these structures. 

“Sustainability is very important for the construction industry, based on our core business, which is around natural minerals and calcium carbonate products.”

He adds that, regarding the quest for circular solutions, the company’s latest ‘Omyaloop’ products are based on 100% recycled calcium carbonate, which offers construction companies solutions that align with their circular economy targets.

Mueller says that regarding building materials, the company “has a whole range of offerings and solutions that can reduce the carbon footprint”, adding: “We have products to reduce cement content in concrete and mortar applications.” 

He adds that its minerals-based products help new builds and rebuilds reduce carbon footprints not only through its mortar and cement products but also in its decorative paints, adhesives and coatings.

“Our mineral-based neutralising agent can replace hazardous substances, such as biocides in water-based formulations,” he says. 

Mining sources minerals that help with sustainability 

The company also offers solutions to address sustainability issues on the building operation side, he claims.

“Our insulation solutions can reduce carbon emissions around transport, because the materials are lighter,” he says. “They also reduce energy consumption during building operations by improving insulation of the shell – whether that's through insulating paints or plasters, or through roofing and coatings that have cooling properties.”

Mueller adds that collaboration between industry partners and leading universities “is becoming increasingly important” as it develops new solutions and innovations, 

He adds: “We can rely on our longstanding expertise in mineral technologies, as well as on our state-of-the-art facilities in our regional innovation and technology centres. 

“We have strong partnerships and a rich and strong innovation pipeline that helps address real needs in the market. Together we can do more with less.”