Regional planning and preventive archaeology: a structuring partnership between UNICEM, UNPG and INRAP

By PR influence Published on Friday, July 11, 2025 at 19:55

Alain Plantier, President of UNICEM and UNPG and Dominique Garcia, President of Inrap ©UNICEM

Photo credits : UNICEM

Summary for decision-makers

This collaboration aims to strike a balance between the demands of extractive activities and the preservation of archaeological heritage. Through three key objectives, it seeks to share INRAP's expertise, supervise diagnostic and excavation work, and promote archaeological discoveries to the general public. The agreement implements concrete actions including data sharing, awareness campaigns, and effective communication on the issues related to archaeological research.

Dominique Garcia, President of Inrap, emphasizes the importance of this partnership in combining economic development and heritage preservation. Alain Plantier, President of UNICEM and UNPG, adds that this initiative marks significant progress for their sector, allowing preventive archaeology to be considered not as an obstacle, but as a real opportunity to discover historical treasures while ensuring responsible access to the natural resources necessary for society.

Frequently Asked Questions for Decision Makers

What are the main objectives of this collaboration?
The objectives are to share INRAP's expertise, to supervise diagnostics and excavations, and to promote archaeological discoveries.

How does the convention impact extractive activities?
The agreement allows for the combination of economic development and heritage preservation, establishing cooperation on the ground.

What is the perspective of the presidents of the organizations involved?
They see this collaboration as an opportunity to make preventive archaeology beneficial to the sector while ensuring sustainable access to mineral resources.

In a context of intensification of regional development projects, notably through the opening or extension of aggregate quarries, the National Union of Quarry and Construction Materials Industries (UNICEM), the UNPG and the National Institute for Preventive Archaeological Research (INRAP) have signed a unique framework partnership agreement.

A partnership to reconcile extractive activities and the preservation of archaeological heritage

This collaboration aims to better align the requirements of extractive activities with those of archaeological heritage preservation. It is based on three key objectives: sharing INRAP's expertise, supervising operational collaboration on diagnostics and excavations, and promoting discoveries to the general public.

The agreement also covers several concrete areas of action: transmission of archaeological data, awareness-raising actions, feedback, communication and scientific promotion of the operations carried out.

« This partnership allows us to better reconcile economic development and heritage preservation. It reflects a shared desire for cooperation and anticipation on the ground.. " underlines Dominique Garcia, President of Inrap.

« This agreement marks a step forward for our sector, and more specifically for aggregate quarries. It demonstrates our commitment to acting responsibly, collaboratively, and transparently in the regions. Through this partnership, we affirm our commitment to working closely with Inrap, so that preventive archaeology is seen not as a constraint, but as an opportunity: to reveal exceptional discoveries, while guaranteeing controlled and sustainable access to mineral resources, essential to society." explains Alain Plantier, President of UNICEM and UNPG.