EWC Code
Soil and stones other than those mentioned in 17 05 03
EUR-Lex Commission Decision 2000/532/EC — Official Journal L 226, 06/09/2000Annual Volume (EU)
~700 Mt/year EU extractive waste (dominant stream)
Valorisation Range
Aggregate reuse €8–15/t; secondary minerals €20–60/t where recoverable
Primary Route
Aggregate reuse and backfill
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Get contacts for EWC 17 05 04EWC 17 05 04 is a specific sub-code under EWC 01 01 — Wastes from mineral excavation. The classification guidance below applies to this waste stream.
EWC 01 01 covers overburden, waste rock and spoil generated during physical extraction of minerals from the earth. It applies to quarrying and mining where rock, soil and sediment are displaced to access the mineral resource. Unlike processing residues under 01 03 and 01 04, these wastes arise solely from the act of excavation.
The dominant streams are waste rock from metalliferous mining (01 01 01) and from non-metalliferous extraction (01 01 02). Volume depends on the stripping ratio — surface quarries typically generate 0.3–1 m³ overburden per tonne of product; deep metal mines can reach 3–10 m³. Acid mine drainage potential governs whether the waste attracts hazardous classification under the Mining Waste Directive.
EU extractive industries collectively generate ~700 Mt of mining and quarrying waste annually — the largest waste stream by volume. Directive 2006/21/EC requires waste management plans, facility classification and financial guarantees. Reuse as construction aggregate or operational backfill is prioritised over disposal under the waste hierarchy.
Typical Generators
Established valorisation pathways for EWC 17 05 04, ranked by economic value and market depth.
Inert waste rock graded and sold as construction aggregate, road sub-base or used for mine backfill. Requires quality testing per EN 13242 and potentially an End-of-Waste declaration under national competent authority procedures.
Engineered waste rock dump designed to Directive 2006/21/EC standards — geotechnical stability assessment, leachate monitoring and closure plan required. Category A facilities for acid-generating or radioactive waste carry enhanced financial guarantee obligations.
Inert waste rock disposed at licensed inert landfill under Directive 1999/31/EC. Rarely economic relative to on-site management given low value and high volume, but used where site restoration is not feasible.
These are the established routes for EWC 17 05 04. Which one your stream qualifies for depends on its composition, volume and region.
Get the ranked options for your streamPrimary & secondary off-takers
Accepts inert overburden for pit restoration and backfill
Uses recycled quarry waste as road sub-base and fill material
Uses graded waste rock as hardcore and sub-base in civil works
Specialist extractive waste contractors manage logistics and disposal
Secondary processing of dimensional stone rejects
Common materials that take EWC 17 05 04 depending on where the waste arises.
Sectors that valorise EWC 17 05 04 as an input material or secondary raw material.
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