Lithium as a Strategic Material for the Energy Transition in Europe

February 9, 2020July 31, 2025Events, NewsISMC-Iberiamine

Lithium as a Strategic Material for the Energy Transition in Europe

Lithium is the essential component in the batteries required for electric mobility, all types of electronic devices, and energy storage systems that will ensure a constant supply of energy from renewable sources.

These applications make lithium one of the most strategic elements in the global economy over the coming years, as it is key to the energy transition and to achieving greenhouse gas emission reduction targets.

Despite having 14 exploration projects underway, the European Union has not yet commenced stable lithium production, resulting in a negative trade balance not only in lithium procurement but also in the import and export of batteries. At the same time, the European Commission aims to lead both the global electric vehicle market and the energy transition, making our economy heavily dependent on lithium imports.

In response, the European Commission is taking action to establish stable lithium mineral production and to centralise battery manufacturing within European territory. A further set of measures aims to ensure that batteries manufactured or imported into the EU meet the highest environmental standards, including the use of lithium sourced through environmentally respectful and sustainable mining techniques.

A este respecto, el pasado mes de diciembre el vicepresidente de la Comisión Europea, Maroš Šefčovič, advirtió que la Unión Europea prohibirá la comercialización de aquellas baterías que no cumplan con los más rigurosos estándares medioambientales en su fabricación. Esto incluye la condición de que el litio con el que se fabrican estas baterías deba provenir de una fuente respetuosa con el medioambiente y las comunidades locales.

Para lograr este ambicioso objetivo, el ejecutivo de la UE acaba de aprobar ayudas por valor de 3,200 millones de € en proyectos propios a desarrollar en territorio europeo. Šefčovič calcula que esta cantidad atraiga otros 5,000 millones de € en inversión privada. Solo Alemania tiene como objetivo inyectar más de 1,000 millones de € en diversos proyectos de baterías, siguiéndola de cerca Francia con una inversión de 960 millones de €.

Battery Alliance está definiendo los estándares ambientales para las baterías, de las que la UE podría obtener una cuota de mercado equivalente a 250 millones de € en 2025.

Esta futura lista de criterios medioambientales hará particular hincapié en la sostenibilidad de la extracción de litio en territorio europeo. En la actualidad existen hasta 10 proyectos mineros de litio que, de desarrollarse, podrían permitir a la UE pasar del 1 al 30% de la producción mundial de litio en 2030.

Lithium as a Strategic Material for the Energy Transition in Europe

COMPANIES

Technology Metals Europe S.L

COMPANIES

Seguridad y Calidad Mineroambiental S.L

Engineering and technical assistance company that develops projects, offers advice, training and research in the field of mining, environment and occupational risk prevention.

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Saloro S.L

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Cualificados S.L

Consulting, training and education services for companies and workforce, particularly for the mining and public works sectors, as well as for the public administration.

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Pizarras La Baña S.A.

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Pizarras Matacouta, S.A.

PIZARRAS MATACOUTA, S.A. The best natural slate since 1978. We are an industry specialized in cutting, carving and finishing natural stone. Pizarras Matacouta is a reference throughout Europe where it exports 95% of its exclusive product.

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Perforaciones Noroeste S.A

Service company dedicated to the execution of all types of drilling and blasting projects, both in the field of mining and quarrying and in civil works of public or private initiative.

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Peal Hispania S.A.U

Service company dedicated to the execution of all types of drilling and blasting projects, both in the field of mining and quarrying and in civil works of public or private initiative

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Pasek Minerales

PASEK MINERALS is a company dedicated to mining exploitation belonging to the PASEK Group, since 1972, it has an open-pit exploitation in the area of the Geological Complex of Cabo Ortegal (Galicia), dedicated to the exploitation of the Dunita mineral (Magnesium Silicate)

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Partindus S.L.

Manufacturer and exporter of civil engineering and mining machinery. One of the largest exporters of construction, tunnels and mining machinery.

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Mining Sense Global S.L.

Consulting for mineral resources; specialised advice on project planning, economic models and strategic decisions.

COMPANIES

Magellan Barents, S.L.

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Lurpelan Tunnelling S.L

Design, calculation and construction of underground infrastructure, as well as execution of all kinds of blasting projects. Participation in large strategic infrastructure projects.

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Lain Technologies, S.L

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Leonore Development S.L

Development and commercialisation of mining and trading projects for minerals, metals and products specialised in industrial metals, mainly iron.

COMPANIES

Kronergy

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Javier Madera García (Staub Ingeniería)

Consulting firm specialised in occupational risk prevention solutions. Among its customers are relevant national companies in several industrial sectors.

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IP Contrl S.L

firm for the mining safety administration and authorized control body for the inspection of mining waste facilities and rehabilitation of affected areas.

COLLABORATING ENTITIES

Instituto para la Competitividad Empresarialde Castilla y León

Institute attached to the Department of Economy and Finance of the Regional Government of Castilla y León focused on promoting the economic development and productivity of the region.

COMPANIES

Inproobras S.L

Inproobrasoffers specialised technical services to both public administrations and private companies in mining, environment, public works and safety.

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Ingeniería y Seguridad Minera de Baleares, S.L

Somos una empresa dedicada principalmente a la ingeniería y seguridad en minería, conformada por tres ingenieros que trabajan de manera coordinada y sinérgica, lo que permite incrementar el potencial de la empresa con el aporte diferenciado de cada miembro que la conforma.

COMPANIES

Hormigones del Sella, S.L

Belonging to the Candesa Group, we are one of the main groups dedicated to non-metallic open pit mining and its derivatives, with a powerful presence in the north-western quadrant of the Iberian Peninsula.

COMPANIES

GrupoHedisa Cor S.L

Business group whose industrial activity is oriented to two business units: the natural stone and construction sector, and engineering and manufacturing.

Collaborating entities

Grupode Investigación TEP222de la Universidad de Jaén

Research group belonging to the University of Jaén whose main lines of research are advanced materials, construction materials, geological-mining heritage, materials engineering and innovation.

COMPANIES

Global de Asesoramiento y Aplicación Técnica, S.L

COMPANIES

Gevora Construcciones, S.A

GÉVORA is an activity oriented towards the construction of infrastructure, renewable energy projects, solid waste, water purification and treatment as well as the conservation and exploitation of large quarries.

COMPANIES

Gesminle S.L

Consulting, technical and legal assistance in mining, public works, special blasting and construction, both for public administrations and private companies.

COMPANIES

Geotecform

companies

Geosense

Ggeological remote sensing consultancy

Instituto para la Competitividad Empresarial
de Castilla y León

Ingeniería
y Seguridad Minera
de Baleares, S.L

Grupo
Hedisa Cor S.L

Grupo
de Investigación TEP222
de la Universidad de Jaén

Global de Asesoramiento
y Aplicación Técnica, S.L

Escuela Politécnica Superior
de Ingeniería
de Manresa

Equipos para minería
y construcciones S.A

Confederación Nacional
de Empresarios
de la Minería
y la Metalurgia

Colegio Oficial
de Ingenieros
de Minas del Centro de España

Cinclus Soluciones
S.L