MINATURA2020

Project Objectives

 

Overall objective: a concept and methodology for the definition and subsequent protection of “mineral deposits of public importance” in order to ensure their “best use” in the future in order to be included in a harmonised European regulatory/guidance/policy framework, resulting in improved conditions for sustainable access to mineral deposits and supply of raw materials in the European Union.

5

Formulation and definition of the concept behind “mineral deposits of public importance” (MDoPI);

5

Explore land use competition challenges between mining and other land uses: analysis and interpretation on different levels and in different future scenarios;

5

Establishment/Development of an appropriate mapping framework based on detailed qualifying conditions for classifying “mineral deposits of public importance” according to:

  • Definition of “deposits of special interest by and importance for” the EU, Member States
  • Regional or local administration
  • Criticality of minerals (as assessed by the Raw Materials Initiative (RMI)
  • Subject to protection for Cultural/Historical/Heritage, key environmental priorities, and other criteria
5

Explore and define regional, national and EU-level regulatory measures for the safeguarding of MDoPI;

5

Develop the concept and corresponding proposal for a new Mineral Deposits Directive in support of MDoPI;

5

Incorporate the concept of “mineral deposits of public importance” into the national/regional/EU minerals policies as well as in land use planning/management policies;

5

Promote the establishment of a Council of Stakeholders with a mission to safeguard the implementation of the new Mineral Deposits Directive;

5

Validate/demonstrate the developed methodology on several areas and scales (local, regional, national and EU) taking into account different policy scenarios and their impacts to ensure robustness at all scales, and for transferability across Member States;

5

Open up a dialogue with all relevant stakeholders across the EU from local, regional, national to EU levels, including (A) civil society and the public, (B) relevant representatives of public administration and (C) experts of science and industry on (C1) mineral deposits, (C2) land use and development planning, (C3) mining and related legislation (particularly permitting), and the (C4) relevant industries.