The definition of European policies regarding the energy transition took a long time to be outlined, as it took a while to realize that it is not in the stages of assembling electric vehicles or assembling electric batteries that know how relevant or technical and technological aptitude that allows European strategic autonomy in electrical storage. The crucial steps to acquire this know how These are those related to the chemical processing / refining of ores into critical metals and the production of electrical battery components. Portugal could be one of the European hubs for refining some of these ores. The “Draghi report” states that “the EU must explore the potential of national resources through mining (…). The EU has deposits of some essential raw materials, such as lithium in Portugal. Accelerating the opening of national mines could allow the EU to meet all of its demand for critical minerals.”
Of the 47 strategic projects approved by the European Commission aimed at boosting European production capacities for strategic raw materials, 4 are projects in Portugal – 3 relating to lithium (Lifthium, Lusorecursos, Savannnah) and 1 relating to copper (Almina).
A CRMA [Lei Europeia de Matérias-Primas Críticas] calls on member states to apply shorter licensing deadlines to “Strategic Projects”. This appeal takes a long time to be read or heard by governments, directorates-general and regulatory agencies in EU countries, including Portugal. The same bureaucratic stance continues that greatly delays administrative processes, including strategic projects approved by the European Commission.
Today and tomorrow, in Oeiras, the 9.º Minex Europe Mining and Exploration Foruman international event under the motto “Made in Europe: Securing Essential Raw Materials for a Sustainable Future”. Unfortunately, there is not much progress to report in Portugal.
After [inexplicavelmente] Portugal has not promoted adherence to the IPCEI (Important Project of Common European Interest) for Batteries – thus excluding Portuguese companies from having access to State aid that facilitated financing (putting them at a comparative disadvantage with companies from the countries that have joined it) – it is essential that the same mistake is not made in relation to the new IPCEI that is being prepared for the critical minerals sector. This IPCEI is extremely important for integrated projects covering the entire refining stage, allowing the creation of European technological capacity. For Portugal to position itself as a European hub for lithium refining, it is crucial to look beyond the mere extraction of the ore and quickly install industrial capacity. If Europe does not create this step in the value chain, the commitment to create European strategic autonomy will be nothing more than rhetoric.
Financial consultant and business developer www.linkedin.com/in/jorgecostaoliveira
The post Prioritize strategic critical minerals and metals projects appeared first on Veritas News.
