Europe moves ahead on self-sufficiency in non-energy raw materials
The EU’s Raw Material Initiative (RMI) is designed to improve access of Europe’s industries to non-energy mineral
resources that directly provide the basis for over 30 million jobs and €1.4 trillion in output. The RMI’s three pillars (access to raw materials
on international markets, a framework for sustainable supply of raw materials within the EU, and efficient use of primary materials and recycling)
fit well with Finland’s national resources strategy.
Trend-driven change
The EU Commission last year took the unprecedented step of proposing a comprehensive,
strategy for securing Europe’s non-energy raw material supplies based on equal access, self-sufficiency and efficient
use. Although the EU is self-sufficient
in construction materials such as rock aggregate, gypsum and natural stone and a significant producer of many industrial
minerals, it accounts for only about 3% of world metal production, and many important metals are not produced at all in Europe. To overcome this vulnerability
of supply, European industries need to support price levels that justify mining
operations within Europe and create friendlier land-use rules.
Equal access
The first pillar of the RMI calls for coordinating
EU policy with the rest of the world, paying particular attention to critical metals dominated by one or a few countries. To prevent market distortions, the EU favors mutual interest policies that promote dialogue and cooperation in resource management and creation of joint positions with other resource-dependent states such as the US and Japan.
EU development policies with resource-rich states will be geared to encouraging
good governance, sound investment climates, and sustainable management of resources. Institutional capacity-building through international exchanges, along with improving management of natural resources and infrastructure development
should assure fair wealth allocation throughout society.
Self-sufficiency
The amount of land available for mining
has been gradually crowded out by other uses. The challenge of exploration and mining in these areas calls for new non-invasive or low-impact techniques to minimize environmental effects. Even with favorable zoning, establishing a mine in Europe still takes decades.
The inability of member states to determine what mineral deposits are located
where in Europe has prompted the creation of a joint knowledge base of EU mineral deposits to assist in land and industrial
planning. National geological surveys are working to assure interoperability
of data.
Europe seeks to retain leadership in mineral production technologies under the EU’s 7th Framework Programme and the European Technology Platform on Sustainable Mineral Resources, which supports advanced research into exploration and exploitation of mineral deposits located deep below the land surface or under the sea.
The RMI provides long-term funding for specialist education needed to reinvigorate
this critical workforce of mining engineers
and metallurgists.
The Efficient use
Imports of primary raw materials can be reduced by making the best use of raw materials and recycling. To support an EU directive that calls for designing for eco-efficiency and life-cycle use, member states are called upon to analyze material flows.
Secondary raw materials offer vast possibilities for improvement. Problematic
scrap, for example, can require special
treatment to be made safe or involve complicated disassembly. The policy goal for scrap must be to assure waste handling under fair and sustainable conditions. Waste exports must be subject of robust enforcement of safety criteria to prevent the export of environmental hazards.
Recycling schemes can be applied to virtually all materials, from construction waste to batteries and packaging materials.
To achieve economies of scale large enough to justify recycling, the EU has launched the Lead Market Initiative to coordinate policies within the EU.
Finally, there is the possibility of avoiding the use of rare or expensive raw materials altogether when substitutes can be found.
TEXT Greg Moore
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