European Association of Mining Industries, Metal Ores & Industrial Minerals
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Exploration
Currently the EU Member States are underexplored. EU expenditure on exploration is far behind other parts of the world. New technologies and methods will allow for exploration of the EU's subsurface and the discovery of new deposits. Currently new research projects for new exploration technology and 4D resource modelling are under way. The ETP SMR is also developing a variety of research projects for extraction and processing technologies for the future.
Key role of exploration
The ability of Europe's mineral raw materials industry to continue to supply existing markets and to contribute to global economic growth will depend on additional resources becoming available. The EU has many raw material deposits. However, in the past decade their exploration and extraction have faced increasing competition for different land uses and a highly regulated environment, as well as technological limitations in access to mineral deposits. It is a myth that Europe is mined out and no more metals and minerals can be found. For the time being, only the near-surface geology of Europe and the related mineral deposits is well known – subsurface deposits are not fully explored.
The European Commission believes that an improved EU supply of many minerals depends on better access and permit extensions for existing deposits and in the development of deep-seated concealed deposits. At this moment, the focus in the EU is directed at creating a vibrant exploration sector to provide new resources to the mineral raw materials sector and to invest in new exploration with modern technologies.
Improved access to mineral resources and better investment conditions
Once exploration has led to discoveries of new deposits and potential for extensions of existing operations, it will be important to improve the current investment climate for the mineral raw materials sector in Europe. Over the past years European Commission and Member States conducted a series of studies and projects to improve the framework conditions. As a result, a vast majority of EU Member States have revised their Mineral policies and are trying to remove obstacles to investment and permitting.
