The PSOE calls to take advantage of mining to the "maximum" and prioritize investments in coal basins

MADRID, 2 Oct. (EUROPA PRESS) -

The PSOE wants to "promote to the maximum" mining in Spain, with the aim of contributing to the strategic autonomy of the European Union, prioritizing the regions in which coal mining has had an important weight when exploring investments and Projects.

All this in a non-law proposal registered in Congress, to which Europa Press has had access, in which it calls for "deep reflection" on the country's industrial capacities after the problems in the supply chains in the pandemic of Covid-19 and the Russian invasion of Ukraine and to "generate strategies that allow the supply of certain mineral raw materials not to depend on third countries".

In this sense, from the majority formation of the coalition government they highlight how "Spain is rich in critical raw materials necessary for the transformation in some strategic value chains", such as those of the electric car or the wind industry.

They also recall that in September 2020 the European Union itself drew up an Action Plan on fundamental raw materials, with a list of 30 critical raw materials that cannot be obtained in the content, with the aim of "achieving a safe and sustainable supply" .

With more than 2,700 operations, they consider that Spain "is key to achieving a sustainable, fair and orderly transformation in Europe", and value the Roadmap prepared by the Government for the transformation of mining, a "sustainable management" of its resources, in a context of circular economy and guaranteed supply of indigenous raw materials "in a more sustainable, efficient way that maximizes benefits throughout the value chain".

In its operative part that seeks to put to a vote before the Industry, Commerce and Tourism Commission, the PSOE calls for "promoting the maximum use of indigenous mineral raw materials", through a "sustainable, efficient and orderly model" of mining , extraction, processing and recycling, allowing "a green and digital transition".

Likewise, within the framework of the European Union, promote sustainable management, reinforce the identification of projects and investments, giving priority to coal mining regions, "so that in 2025 they can be operational and allow the sector to minimize its effects on the climate and the environment.

Finally, they ask to accelerate the aforementioned Roadmap to "allow the availability of deposits of strategic raw materials to be identified as soon as possible, reduce and optimize their consumption, as well as establish sustainability standards in the exploration, extraction and transformation processes".

This defense of mining activity, in a context of energy crisis and difficulties in supply chains different from years ago, contrasts with the leadership of the PSOE for the closure of coal mining activity, both in the opposition and already in the Government since 2018.

Moreover, the current Vice President Teresa Ribera and the current Secretary of State Hugo Morán demanded in 2008 the end of coal and bring its closure forward than planned by the European Commission.

The restrictions of the Climate Change Law prohibited uranium mining and made any authorization for coal mining subject to the return of aid received from the closure programs.

Recently, United We Can, a partner of the PSOE Government, has proposed in Congress a reform of the Mining Law, in order to increase environmental guarantees and introduce the obligation of mandatory, prior and binding reports from those authorities with powers that can have a prevalent character.