Where Are We Heading Regarding Mining in Germany?

The first round of the Critical Raw Materials Act (CRMA) has concluded, and Germany is wondering why so few projects from the Federal Republic made it onto the CRMA list. If we aim to achieve greater independence from foreign-sourced raw materials, it is essential to have a precise inventory of our domestic resources and to actively promote them within industry. Critical raw materials—such as lithium, rare earth elements, cobalt and semiconductor-grade silicon—are the backbone of Germany’s advanced manufacturing sectors (including automotive, renewable energy, electronics and defense). They are indispensable for meeting our climate targets, sustaining high-tech production and maintaining global competitiveness.

Furthermore, the state mining authorities (Oberbergämter) must be staffed with sufficient personnel to evaluate and approve German projects within the prescribed timeframe. At present, approvals still take decades; the CRMA, however, mandates that permitting procedures be completed within 27 months.

We must also raise public awareness about raw materials and their origin, rebuilding social acceptance of domestic mining within civil society. At the same time, we need to encourage the next generation to enter the mining industry and make careers as mining engineers or resource geologists attractive again. Resource consciousness begins in school and should be fostered there and in the media.

Only with a positive attitude towards our domestic raw materials, responsible mining under the highest standards of nature protection and social considerations as well as aceptance, can we create transparent supply chains within Germany and Europe.