Source: European Parliament
Question for written answer E-002086/2025
to the Commission
Rule 144
Li Andersson (The Left)
The aim of the EU Critical Raw Materials Act (CRMA) is to ensure that 10 % of the EU’s needs for strategic raw materials are met with materials produced on its territory. This will bring to the fore the environmental and social effects of mining that had previously been hidden owing to the EU’s importing of its minerals, mainly from the Global South.
A project that meets the criteria laid down in Article 6 of the CMRA can obtain the status of a strategic project. Under those criteria, projects must be implemented sustainably, in particular as regards the monitoring, prevention and minimisation of environmental impacts. However, strategic status allows for accelerated permitting procedures and derogations from environmental directives such as the Habitats and Water Framework directives.
In Finland, the first strategic projects have raised environmental concerns. The expansion of Terrafame, a mining company, was partially overturned by an administrative court, partly because of the risk of a major accident. On the other hand, the Sakatti mining project is being planned in the area of Viiankiaapa, which is home to one of Europe’s last string bogs (also known as aapa mires). The site is protected under both Natura and Finland’s national marshland protection scheme. The environmental impact assessment procedure has already shown that the mine would cause the water level in the mire to drop. As a result the grounds for protecting it would be lost and, ultimately, the mire would be destroyed.
- 1.When the first sites with strategic project status in Finland are clearly environmentally destructive, the question arises as to what exactly the environmental criteria are for obtaining strategic project status?
- 2.Has the EU created a gap in its high level of environmental protection with regard to mining projects by establishing derogations from the most effective directives in EU environmental legislation – the Nature and Water Framework directives – with a view to stepping up strategic autonomy?
- 3.How will environmental protection with regard to mining projects be implemented in the future, and when it is possible for sites protected by nature conservation schemes to be used for mining projects, does the EU have any zones which are identified as absolutely prohibited areas?
Submitted: 23.5.2025