Sustainable mining is redefining the sector with technology, circular economy, and low environmental impact. In this interview, Santiago Cuesta López, General Director of ISMC, highlights its importance in ensuring the supply of strategic materials amid high demand and geopolitical challenges.
Sustainable mining is paving the way for a more efficient, technology-driven, and environmentally responsible industry. This model, which integrates innovation, circular economy principles, and minimal environmental impact, plays a key role in securing the supply of critical raw materials essential for sectors such as electrification, construction, and technology.
Unlike traditional mining, the sustainable approach seeks to maximise resource utilisation, even from waste materials of past operations, through advanced technologies such as robotics, Industry 4.0, and hydrogen applications. It also promotes circular economy principles, prioritising recycling over extraction and exploring alternatives like urban mining.
“We are developing technologies to maximise the use of strategic materials while reducing waste and emissions,” says Dr. Cuesta López. This approach also includes environmental rehabilitation of mining areas, using advanced techniques such as technosols, going beyond mere reforestation.
However, Spain faces significant challenges. While regions like Galicia, Castilla y León, Andalusia, and Asturias lead in strategic resources and are pushing for mining modernisation, administrative processes remain slow, with permits taking over ten years to be granted. This delay affects the country’s competitiveness compared to regions with faster approval times.
Moreover, Spain’s mining legislation, based on a 1973 law, urgently needs an update to align with the European Raw Materials Act, which aims to enhance legal certainty and promote strategic projects.
Key advancements include initiatives such as the MINE.THE.GAP project, which has funded innovative solutions for sustainable mining, and RESiLEX, focused on the circular economy of silicon, a critical material for microchips and solar panels.
“Spain and Portugal are European powerhouses in strategic resources,” Santiago emphasises, with Castilla y León leading in tungsten and uranium, and Andalusia in copper. However, to fully capitalise on this potential, legal reforms, faster permit approvals, and investments in technological innovation are essential.
In a world where demand for strategic minerals continues to rise and geopolitical tensions threaten supply chains, fostering sustainable mining in Europe is not just an opportunity but a necessity. “Without these raw materials, there will be no energy transition or industrial resilience,” concludes the expert.