Make no mistake about it: critical minerals now dominate the global geopolitical agenda. They determine the conditions for (Orwellian) war and peace, as starkly revealed by the ongoing “critical minerals for security” saga between US President Trump and Ukrainian President Zelensky. What does this mean for Europe? Unfortunately, Europe’s current lack of access to critical minerals jeopardizes its ambitious targets, not only for its renewed defense strategy but also for its digital and green transition toward becoming the first climate-neutral continent.
However, when it comes to Europe’s energy transition, the old continent faces a peculiar challenge. Unexpected opposition has emerged from within the more radical parts of the European environmental movement. "Anti-extractivist" and degrowth groups have come to realize that the green energy transition requires the extraction of critical minerals. The irony is stark: those who oppose mining projects in Europe do so in the name of environmental protection. Yet, their actions inadvertently undermine the very climate transition they aim to support. What they don’t seem to grasp is that even in a purely hypothetical post-capitalist and post-consumerist society, there would still be a substantial need for mining "new" critical minerals and metals such as lithium and rare earths to allow for green (public & shared) energy and mobility. Without critical minerals there is no cleantech, and without cleantech there is no climate transition.
The European Commission’s Critical Raw Materials Act and the streamlined permitting process for Strategic Projects – which will be announced by the EU in the coming weeks – have further intensified resistance to mining projects and "extractivism." This is particularly the case for lithium projects in traditional agricultural and nature conservation areas, such as in Serbia’s Jadar valley and Portugal’s Mina do Barroso region.
Compounding the issue is the political polarization surrounding climate change. The far-right denies climate change and bluntly opposes the green energy transition. Paradoxically, and without realizing it themselves, they now find common ground with radical environmentalists. This is resulting in unnatural anti-mining alliances that unite radical greens and far-left groups, and nationalist, far-right, illiberal, anti-EU movements. This is particularly clear in the united opposition against Rio Tinto’s underground lithium mine project in Serbia, where the horseshoe theory seems to come to life.
Community-centric, responsible mining models
The paradoxes of the green energy transition underscore the need for an inclusive and participative societal discussion about the development of communities located in areas where the minerals required for the energy transition are found. It is essential to engage with all stakeholders, seeking enhanced social contracts and economic models that catalyze the benefits of mining and create long-lasting local and regional prosperity, rather than resorting to outright anti-mining opposition.
One has to realize that this continued opposition to new mining projects in Europe, particularly lithium mines, is not just a hindrance to Europe’s climate transition; it is a strategic blunder that plays directly into the hands of Europe’s geopolitical adversaries. Putin’s Russia and Xi’s China are undoubtedly watching with amusement as Europe stumbles over its own feet. While we debate and delay, China is further consolidating its control over the global mine-to-cleantech supply chains, while Putin’s expansionism has little interest in supporting the energy transition given Russia’s stakes in prolonging the fossil fuel era.
It is time for Europe to wake up to this reality as we do not live in isolation. We must recognize that responsible mining practices and environmental stewardship can coexist and even boost local development. By investing in ESG-friendly mining and refining of our own critical minerals, in conjunction with demand-side management, recycling initiatives and critical mineral agreements with like-minded countries, we can reduce our dependency on adversarial nations and take a decisive step towards a sustainable and secure future.
Strategic Projects
We have no doubts that mining and refining in Europe can be conducted to higher environmental and social standards than anywhere else in the world. Mining has the potential to serve as a catalyst for local development and sustainable prosperity for regions and countries. The overriding public interest and common sense should now trump the demands of tiny but highly vocal minorities. Europe must act to secure its place in the global race for critical minerals or risk falling behind in the dust of its own indecision. Endorsing, supporting, and implementing at least 40 mining, refining, and recycling "Strategic Projects" is imperative now for the EU, without further delay.
Authors: Peter Tom Jones, Toni Eerola, Marko Komac, Kostas Komnitsas & Vitor Correia *
This Op-ed was published in a Dutch and Slovenian version as well:
- Dutch Version, De Standaard, 7 March 2025: Milieuactivisten protesteren nu ook al tegen de groene transitie | De Standaard
- Slovenian Version, Delo, 8 March 2025: Evropski paradoks o kritičnih mineralnih surovinah
*The authors are senior researchers with mining and (geo)metallurgy backgrounds from Belgium, Finland, Slovenia, Greece, and Portugal. They are all active in Horizon Europe projects related to extraction, processing, refining, and recycling of critical metals in the context of the energy transition and the public acceptance debate surrounding mining in Europe. They have written this piece in their own name.
The first author presented the recently released documentary "Not In My Country: Serbia’s Lithium Paradox" (SIM² KU Leuven) (première @ DOCVILLE film festival on 28 March 2025) and will soon launch a new documentary "Europe’s lithium paradox". On March 6 "Not In My Country" was selected to be included in the MegaFlix Movie Awards festival.
Premiere "Not In My Country: Serbia's Lithium Paradox" – 28 MARCH 2025 – DOCVILLE Film Festival Leuven
The film showing will be followed by an interview with the film's presenter and a panel discussion incl. Tatjana Parac-Vogt, Julia Poliscanova (she/her), Rolf Kuby… moderated by David Rose.
Tickets: Bestel tickets voor Not In My Country – DOCVILLE
