Lithium is crucial for use in batteries, and as Europe tried to go green and switch to electric cars, demand for this white gold is skyrocketing. The EU imports most of its lithium, but its demand keeps increasing.
Mining companies are tempted by the possibility of finding and exploiting reserves right here in Europe. But that would mean sacificing small rural communities, for 'the greater good'. According to the European Commission, Europe will need 18 times more lithium by 2030, and almost 60 times more in 2050. Why? Mainly for electric car batteries and energy storage batteries. According to Thierry Breton, the European Commissioner responsible in particular for industrial policy, "Europe is positioning itself to be almost self-sufficient in lithium for our batteries by 2025." The largest lithium deposits in Europe are believed to be in Portugal. Several companies have prospected and intend to exploit the basements of different areas in the north of the country. But the first steps in this process met with opposition from local populations.
According to the mayor of one of the municipalities concerned, “the greatest value we have today is not lithium, but biodiversity. The region of Montalegre and Boticas is classified "world agricultural heritage" by the FAO. The debate is complex: to become greener, must Europe exploit its resources by digging up part of its underground?
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