25 January 2023

By supporting the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (EITI) Nobian contributes to greater transparency about salt mining in the Netherlands and the financial flows between the minerals industry and the Dutch government. The move is in line with Nobian's commitment as a responsible and sustainable mining company. 

Responsible and sustainable salt production  

As a European leader in the production of salt, essential chemicals, and energy for industries, Nobian produces around five million tons of salt annually in the Netherlands. Through solution mining, salt has been extracted in Twente and later Groningen since 1918. Nobian is the largest salt miner in the Netherlands and the largest producer of vacuum salt in Western Europe. Salt is an essential and strategic raw material for Dutch and European industry.  
 
Ellis Deelen, Chief Integrated Supply Chain Officer at Nobian: "As a salt miner, we are part of society. We are constantly working to improve the safety and sustainability of our salt extraction operations. Based on our social responsibility, supporting the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative is an important step to increase understanding of salt mining in the Netherlands." 

Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (EITI) - global standard for transparency 

The Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (EITI) is a global standard aimed at creating more transparency in both the value chain of mineral extraction, as well as financial flows between the mining sector and governments. Nobian is the 21st company in the Netherlands to subscribe to the voluntary EITI standard. 

Nobian has an ambitious sustainability programme Grow Greener Together, aiming to be carbon neutral by 2040, with 100% green energy. Sustainable salt extraction and cooperation with governments and stakeholders are also an important part of its sustainability programme. Greater transparency about the salt extraction activities fits in with this. 

Importance of salt extraction for the Netherlands

Salt from Dutch soil is an irreplaceable and essential raw material for the Dutch economy. It underpins many of the materials we use every day and is also needed for sustainability. Salt extraction and salt chemistry provide essential building blocks to produce many everyday products, such as medicines, contact lenses, soap, flooring, PVC window frames, paper, aluminum, concrete substitutes, and water purification. But also, for key components of the 'new economy', such as insulation materials, LED lamps, wind turbine blades and lithium batteries. Salt extraction is of national importance for the Dutch economy and strategic independence of Dutch and European industry.