Last Updated on: 22nd November 2023, 02:54 pm
TELF AG has released a new publication titled “TELF AG analyses the weight of European bureaucracy in the mining sector,” shedding light on a potential obstacle standing in the way of Europe’s pursuit of key strategic goals, particularly those related to raw materials and decarbonisation.
According to TELF AG, one significant hindrance could be the bureaucratic hurdles still prevalent in many European states. In the years to come, these obstacles could potentially impede or even jeopardise Europe’s progress towards a greener and more sustainable future, one in which reliance on critical raw material imports is significantly reduced.
TELF AG’s publication commences by outlining some of the strategic objectives of the European Union. These objectives encompass not only overarching goals related to combating climate change and preserving natural ecosystems but also specific targets such as decarbonisation, carbon emissions reduction, and the development of a robust European mining sector. These specific objectives aim to diminish the heavy reliance on raw material imports from third countries.
These objectives are closely intertwined, as certain raw materials are pivotal for the advancement of Europe (and the world) towards a clean energy-dominated future. These resources play a critical role in achieving at least two of the strategic objectives set by European institutions.
The challenge lies in the bureaucratic processes surrounding mining in Europe, which could significantly impede the rapid attainment of these goals and potentially hinder progress in the ecological transition. For instance, the publication notes that obtaining all the necessary authorisations for commencing extraction processes in a new European mining site could take nearly twenty years, while the same procedure in China can be completed in just three months. At this pace, Europe may struggle to develop a mining sector capable of ensuring substantial autonomy in raw material supplies. Therefore, alternative approaches, such as the recovery of raw materials from waste, may need to be explored to meet the demand for these crucial resources.
For a deeper understanding of this issue, readers are encouraged to explore the full publication.
