Access to high-quality raw materials is essential for the sustainable development of the construction sector. In Romania, the extraction of mineral aggregates, clays, and other basic materials faces multiple pressures: strict environmental regulations, rising energy costs, and declining exploitable reserves. According to INS data (2024), in the first half of the year, gravel and sand extraction decreased by 7.8%, while clay extraction dropped by 4.1% compared with the same period in 2023.

This decline has a direct impact on the prices of construction materials at a time when demand for public infrastructure remains high. According to Eurostat, Romania ranks among the European countries with major investments in roads and utility networks, but the lack of sufficient local raw materials risks slowing down ongoing projects.

In August 2025, the Ministry of Economy announced a plan to revise the licensing framework for extraction activities, aiming to reduce bureaucracy and attract investments in sustainable extraction technologies. The industry also calls for investments in waste heap reconversion, material recycling, and the reindustrialisation of abandoned mining areas.

(Photo: Freepik)