Environment

On the occasion of its 75^th anniversary in 2022, Stephan Schmidt Group published its first sustainability brochure. We are proud to disclose our wide-ranging activities relating to sustainability in a transparent manner. The concept of sustainability extends far beyond environmental considerations. In our brochure, we address topics such as: social responsibility, transparent supply chains, employees, digitalisation, energy projects – including CO₂ accounting and environmental protection – as well as biodiversity. We plan to revise and republish the brochure every two years – for customers, business partners and the general public. This is because we are mindful of our responsibility towards nature and the population. We would be happy to send you copies of previously published brochures on request.

Our Mission Statement

At Stephan Schmidt Group, we are convinced that our society can only survive in the long term in an intact environment. We are aware that our mining activities have a significant impact on nature. During these temporay activities it is important to us, therefore, to strike a balance between the three dimensions

• social responsibility
• effective environmental protection
• economic performance.

The integration of mining operations into the environment and the restoration of ecologically sound former mining areas are a matter of course in our modern society and, at the same time, an obligation for our group of companies. This means that we not only value flora and fauna and take them into account in our planning, but also closely involve the local community and residents in the immediate vicinity and wider area in our activities. We see ourselves as an open company. This means that, as a family-run business, we traditionally maintain close contact with local residents, representatives of local authorities, nature and environmental initiatives, as well as with nurseries, schools and student groups. To meet this standard, Stephan Schmidt KG has been certified in accordance with the environmental standard DIN EN ISO 14001:2015 since 2017. The next step will be the certification of the facilities of the subsidiary Marx Bergbau GmbH & Co. KG.

Furthermore, in December 2017, a framework agreement on water protection was concluded with the state of Rhineland-Palatinate via the BKRI association.

“As a third-generation family-run business, we have been thinking and acting for more than seven decades now with the aim of minimising the impact of our activities on the natural environment around us as much as possible. This philosophy – from the company’s founder, my grandfather Stephan Schmidt, through my father Günther Schmidt, to myself and our children – has become second nature to us. Treating nature with respect is our foremost priority.”

Stephan Schmidt, managing partner