The potential of mineral deposits in Europe remains underexplored, according to the third Raw Materials Scoreboard published by the European Commission on Wednesday 17 November as part of the European Innovation Partnership on Raw Materials (EIP). Timber exploitation remains a concern.
“The EU’s mineral potential remains underexplored, despite a few new mining developments”, reads the 150-page report. However, exploration for new deposits in the EU is “essential” to ensure the Union’s supply.
However, the authors of the report welcome the fact that some of the exploration projects identified in the 2018 scorecard have progressed, with some even starting (including four lithium mines). However, the authors regret that the budget dedicated to exploration activities remains “low” compared to other regions of the world.
A special section is devoted to renewable resources, in particular wood. Timber harvesting in Europe’s forests remains “within the limits of what is considered sustainable”, it says, with the report noting a slowing build-up of standing stocks. Above all, wood extraction has steadily increased at a higher rate than the extraction of other materials.
Internationally, the EU remains the third largest producer of industrial minerals and industrial roundwood, while its share remains low for iron and ferro-alloys, non-ferrous metals, and precious metals. The EU’s share of mining decreased, mainly due to increased mining production in third countries.
The EU is almost self-sufficient in non-metallic minerals, but remains dependent on imports of metallic ores. This dependence varies greatly and relies on the concentration of certain raw materials in specific third countries, as well as on policies restricting these raw materials (e.g., magnesium—see EUROPE 12818/26).
The data from this study will feed into the implementation of the 2020 Action Plan for Critical Raw Materials and the implementation of the European Raw Materials Alliance (see EUROPE 12570/3), says the European Commission.
To read the full report: https://bit.ly/30wtUVw (Original version in French by Pascal Hansens)