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Surely if you hear about lithium, cobalt, nickel, copper, graphite or rare earth you know that they are currently the minerals and metals that dominate the market for their use in current technologies. In fact, here we have talked about all of them and, above all, of the dependence we have about China. But all that can change, because Spain has a treasure in its feet.
A gold mine. Eye, what too, but It is not open yet. The point is that in the Spanish subsoil There are great critical mineral reservations Essential for the energy and digital transition, especially for the manufacture of batteries, solar panels, wind turbines and other resources. In this way, the role of Europe and Spain is redefined in the production of these minerals and a strategic autonomy in the European Union is ensured.
In data. To be able to better understand how much we are talking, let’s go with The data. 17% of copper extracted in the EU comes from Spain, as well as 12% of zinc and 6% of lead. In addition, the Iberian country is the first European producer of fluoride and plaster, and the only one in Sepiolita and Celestina. As for Magnesita, the country contributes 24% of EU production, standing only behind Austria and Slovakia. In the case of Potassa, Spain generates 12% of the total European, complementing 88% produced by Germany.
Mining in Spain. The mining tradition in the Iberian Peninsula comes from many years, we would have to go back to Roman empire. However, here we are going to talk about Spain and the mines, and of a more recent period of time, where mining has been in decline due to the outsourcing of the activity, but now it has resurfaced again.
In addition, the Spanish nation has been reinforcing its mining industry with investments in the aforementioned minerals. As well as through regulatory measures such as National Energy and Climate Plan (PNIEC) and the Roadmap for sustainable management of mineral raw materials.
The ‘golden’ province. If there is a province where metal mining is most concentrated, winning the title of “El Dorado” is undoubtedly Andalusia. The Autonomous Community It concentrates 90% of the value of national production In this sector. In recent years, mining companies have seen in the more than 257,000 hectares, an area to begin exploring and exploiting the mineral resources of the region.
For years the research permits had been inactive, but the Junta de Andalucía has now facilitated its reactivation causing the south of the nation to be attractive again in a global context where metals are increasingly demanded. However, this activity raises questions about the balance between industrial development and the preservation of the environment, especially in sensitive areas such as Doñana National Park.
In a more global context. The European Commission has identified more than thirty critical raw materials, of which 17 are strategic for the energy transition, due to its cost and the high risk involved in its interruption. Currently, much of these matters They are concentrated in countries like Chinathat controls 90% of the rare earth, and the Congo, main cobalt supplier.
According to the report Mining for Climate: Decarbonisation Roadmap and Energy Outlook From Euromines, the European Union must intensify its efforts to achieve climatic objectives and guarantee its strategic autonomy, reducing the dependence of powers such as China and the United States in access to these critical resources.
Other mining methods. The rise of mining has strengthened the economy and generated jobs. However, we know the environmental challenges that also pose this type of extractivist practices, such as soil degradation, Water consumption and the loss of biodiversity. For these reasons, there are other methods to obtain the necessary resources to develop current technologies, such as recycling batteries, Solar panels and Other electronic devices.
Forecasts In this geopolitical board in which mineral resources has become, Spain is positioned as a key pawn for the EU in need of reducing dependence with China. However, it remains to be seen how its mining strategy raises to supply the European market, but always taking into account the care for the land.
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