29 January 20205, Brussels, Belgium — Peter Tom Jones, Director of the KU Leuven Institute for Sustainable Metals and Minerals (SIM2), issued a stark warning to European policymakers yesterday, declaring that failure to secure a self-sufficient critical raw materials (CRM) supply chain would leave Europe at the mercy of China. His remarks came during a high-stakes panel discussion in the European Parliament titled “Supporting the European Automotive Sector to Meet EU Green Transition Goals in Global Competition”, part of a broader event on supporting the EU automotive sector’s green transition.
Europe’s “Abdication of Responsibility”
Jones criticised Europe’s historic neglect of upstream mining and refining activities, accusing the bloc of outsourcing CRM production to the Global South while focusing solely on high-value downstream manufacturing. “This has been a significant abdication of our social and environmental responsibilities,” he said, arguing that reliance on external suppliers has left Europe exposed in an era of escalating geopolitical tensions.
The panel, moderated by MEP Yvan Verougstraete and featuring industry leaders like Julia Poliscanova (Transport & Environment) and Sigrid de Vries (ACEA), highlighted the urgency of addressing supply chain vulnerabilities as the EU races to meet 2030 climate goals.
China’s Vertical Dominance vs. Europe’s “Siloed Thinking”
Jones underscored China’s dominance in building a vertically integrated “mine-to-EV” value chain, contrasting it with Europe’s fragmented approach. “While China plans strategically for the long term, Europe remains siloed and reactive,” he said, pointing to the recent shift by European automakers from nickel-manganese-cobalt (NMC) to lithium-iron-phosphate (LFP) batteries. This pivot, he warned, has destabilized Europe’s nascent mining and refining sectors, which lack the infrastructure to support LFP production at scale.
Compounding these challenges are China’s anticipated export restrictions on magnet and LFP battery technologies—a move Jones called “existential” for Europe’s green transition.
Call to Action: 15 Mining, Refining, and Recycling Projects by 2030
Jones urged rapid implementation of the EU’s Critical Raw Materials Act (CRMA), demanding immediate support for at least 15 strategic mining projects, 15 refining facilities, and 15 battery/magnet recycling plants. “With just five years until 2030, we cannot afford delays,” he stressed, warning that opposition from “ideologically driven anti-mining activists” threatens Europe’s energy transition.
His proposal aligns with calls from industry groups like Eurometaux and Euromines, which have long advocated for streamlined permitting and funding for CRM projects.
The Path Forward: “Evidence-Based Environmentalism”
Jones concluded with a plea for pragmatism, advocating “evidence-based environmentalism” that balances ecological concerns with strategic needs. “We must engage companies, governments, and the public to develop an ESG-proof model for responsible metal production in Europe,” he said.
The event, organised by the Renew Europe faction, signals growing political momentum to secure Europe’s raw materials future. Yet with China’s shadow looming large, the bloc faces a race against time to transform rhetoric into action.
Key Stakeholders React
- Judith Kirton-Darling (industriAll Europe): Emphasised the need for “just transition” policies to protect workers in traditional industries.
- Julia Poliscanova: Warned against repeating fossil fuel-era mistakes by prioritising extraction over circular economy solutions.
- PROMETIA & Horizon Europe consortia: Highlighted ongoing projects like LITHOS and EXCEED to innovate in sustainable mining and recycling.
Peter Tom Jones’s full remarks and policy recommendations are available on his LinkedIn profile.
