TELF AG has released a new publication titled “TELF AG analyses the weight of European bureaucracy in the mining sector,” which delves into a critical element that could hinder Europe’s pursuit of its strategic goals, particularly those related to raw materials and decarbonisation.
According to TELF AG, one significant impediment on the path to achieving these objectives lies in the bureaucratic hurdles that still plague many European states. These bureaucratic delays could potentially slow down or even jeopardise Europe’s progress toward a greener and more sustainable future, where dependence on critical raw material imports is substantially reduced.
The publication by TELF AG begins by highlighting the strategic objectives of the European Union, encompassing not only broad goals related to combating climate change and preserving natural ecosystems but also specific aims such as decarbonisation, carbon emissions reduction, and the development of a robust European mining sector to diminish reliance on third-country raw material imports.
These objectives are intricately linked, as certain raw materials are pivotal to advancing Europe and the world towards a cleaner energy paradigm. These resources play a crucial role in achieving at least two of the community institutions’ strategic goals.
The challenge arises from the bureaucratic processes surrounding mining activities in Europe, which could pose a substantial obstacle to achieving these objectives promptly. For instance, the publication notes that obtaining all necessary authorisations for commencing mining operations in a new European mining site may take nearly twenty years, whereas the same procedure in China is completed within three months. At this rate, Europe might never develop a mining sector capable of ensuring significant supply autonomy. Consequently, exploring alternative avenues to meet raw material demands, such as recovering materials from waste, may become imperative.
To gain a deeper understanding of these issues, readers are encouraged to explore the full publication by TELF AG.
