The Director General of the Iberian Sustainable Mining Cluster (ISMC), Santiago Cuesta-López, has recently taken part in the podcast El Filón, hosted by José Luis Seco de Herrera, in a conversation focused on one of Europe’s major challenges: securing the supply of critical raw materials in the context of the energy transition and increasing global competition.

During the interview, key issues shaping the present and future of the European mining sector are explored, with a particular focus on the need to move towards a more resilient, sustainable model aligned with the European Union’s strategic objectives.

Critical raw materials: a strategic challenge for Europe

Europe faces the challenge of reducing its external dependencies in the supply of critical raw materials, which are essential for the development of clean and digital technologies. In this context, the discussion raises fundamental questions: is it possible to develop mining activities within European borders? How can this be achieved while meeting the highest environmental and social standards? And what role can Spain play in this evolving landscape?

The interview highlights the importance of building a robust value chain, covering exploration, extraction, processing, recycling and reuse, in order to strengthen Europe’s strategic autonomy.

Innovation, sustainability and social acceptance

Throughout the episode, particular emphasis is placed on the role of technological innovation, digitalisation and the circular economy as key drivers for transforming the mining sector. The importance of the Social Licence to Operate (SLO) is also underlined as a crucial element in ensuring the responsible development of projects and their acceptance by society.

In this regard, the mining sector is increasingly evolving towards a model that is integrated with its environment, based on transparency, sustainability and active stakeholder engagement.

Spain’s strategic opportunity

Spain’s position within the emerging critical raw materials landscape is also a central topic of the discussion. Thanks to its geological potential, industrial capabilities and innovation ecosystem, the country is well placed to play a relevant role in strengthening sustainable and competitive value chains at European level.

As highlighted by Santiago Cuesta-López, the energy transition will not be possible without a solid raw materials strategy. The debate is no longer about whether mining should take place, but about how it can be developed in a responsible, efficient and socially accepted way.

Listen to the full episode

The full episode is available on the following platforms:

▶️ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=496BwqAhzEY
🎧 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/5PXQQtHEVm0j1NUmVexQfX

ISMC would like to thank José Luis Seco de Herrera and the Colegio Oficial de Ingenieros de Minas del Sur for the invitation and for creating a valuable space for dialogue on the future of the sector.