The challenge of strategic sovereignty
Reflection around the exploitation of new mines goes beyond simple economic ambition. “” “It is essentially a question of geopolitics and strategy“, Eric Pirard insists.”We must have a minimum of strategic autonomy compared to other regions of the globe … Maintaining a minimum of industrial capacities, and industrial capacities, it necessarily involves mining and metallurgical activity.”
Admittedly, recycling of materials is “important“He says, but”It is not by recycling that we will be able to meet today’s needs.”Faced with the explosion of demand for lithium, cobalt, nickel, rare land – essential for energy transition, batteries and digital technologies -, Europe wants to anticipate shortages.“Critical Raw Materials Act“Aims at”Secure access to 34 raw materials deemed strategic and critical, some of which are present in Wallonia”.
Between social acceptance and technological challenges
Relaunching the exploitation of the basement in Belgium requires many steps. It will be necessary “Cartographing our subsoil, finance this exploration, recruit labor and convince a somewhat hermetic society in reindustrialisation”Summarizes Eric Pirard. The professor sees in this ambition a“Beautiful challenge for future generations to develop technologies to explore the basement and send all kinds of probes and robots there”.
So, will we see mines in Belgium one day? If the answer remains unanswered, the question is today widening more than ever – at the crossroads of industrial, ecological and strategic issues, 69 years after Marcinelle. A thoughtful return to the mine could establish itself as a condition of European sovereignty in an increasingly competitive world for its resources.
