From lithium and cobalt to manganese and phosphate, right through to the much-talked-about rare earth elements: every single one of these is a raw material that plays a vital role in the production of energy and digital technology. But the fact that the vast majority of these raw materials come from outside Europe makes us highly dependent on other countries. The European Commission wants to do something about this: by 2030, at least 10 per cent of these so-called critical raw materials should be mined in Europe. Where should this happen? In new mines.
Belgium was once a true mining nation. Could it become one again due to the European raw materials shortage? Senne Starckx turned his attention to the Belgian subsoil. What critical raw materials are there? Can they be mined? And how would that need to be done?
