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The geography of mining and its environmental impact in Europe

Author

Listed:
  • Andrea Bastianin

    (Department of Economics, Management and Quantitative Methods, University of Milan and Fondazione Eni Enrico Mattei)

  • Chiara F. Del Bo

    (Department of Economics, Management and Quantitative Methods, University of Milan)

  • Luqman Shamsudin

    (Fondazione Eni Enrico Mattei and Department of Environmental Science and Policy, University of Milan)

Abstract

We map the mining sector in Europe, with a focus on Energy Transition Metals (ETMs), and present an in-depth analysis of the environmental impact and associated monetary costs, at the regional level, of extraction activities. We aim to offer a spatially disaggregated view of the current mining projects and associated environmental costs in terms of CO2 emissions and their monetary value. To do this, we collected global warming potential (GWP) data from Life Cycle Assessment Impact Analysis (LCIA) and linked these to their expected monetary value. By considering the full spectrum of sourced ETMs, we map the environmental, physical, and monetary impact of current mining activities in Europe, and understand what a further increase in exploiting European reserves to reduce dependence from abroad and facilitate the green transition, could imply for European regions.

Suggested Citation

  • Andrea Bastianin & Chiara F. Del Bo & Luqman Shamsudin, 2025. "The geography of mining and its environmental impact in Europe," Working Papers 2025.08, Fondazione Eni Enrico Mattei.
    • Handle: RePEc:fem:femwpa:2025.08
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. John R. Owen & Deanna Kemp & Alex M. Lechner & Jill Harris & Ruilian Zhang & Éléonore Lèbre, 2023. "Author Correction: Energy transition minerals and their intersection with land-connected peoples," Nature Sustainability, Nature, vol. 6(8), pages 1024-1024, August.
    2. Li, George Yunxiong & Ascani, Andrea & Iammarino, Simona, 2024. "The material basis of modern technologies. A case study on rare metals," Research Policy, Elsevier, vol. 53(1).
    3. Badakhshan, Naser & Shahriar, Kourosh & Afraei, Sajjad & Bakhtavar, Ezzeddin, 2023. "Determining the environmental costs of mining projects: A comprehensive quantitative assessment," Resources Policy, Elsevier, vol. 82(C).
    4. John R. Owen & Deanna Kemp & Alex M. Lechner & Jill Harris & Ruilian Zhang & Éléonore Lèbre, 2023. "Energy transition minerals and their intersection with land-connected peoples," Nature Sustainability, Nature, vol. 6(2), pages 203-211, February.
    5. Diemer, Andreas & Iammarino, Simona & Perkins, Richard & Gros, Axel, 2022. "Technology, resources and geography in a paradigm shift: the case of critical and conflict materials in ICTs," LSE Research Online Documents on Economics 115103, London School of Economics and Political Science, LSE Library.
    6. Pavel, Claudiu C. & Lacal-Arántegui, Roberto & Marmier, Alain & Schüler, Doris & Tzimas, Evangelos & Buchert, Matthias & Jenseit, Wolfgang & Blagoeva, Darina, 2017. "Substitution strategies for reducing the use of rare earths in wind turbines," Resources Policy, Elsevier, vol. 52(C), pages 349-357.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Critical raw materials; Europe; Life Cycle Assessment Impact Analysis; mining; regional;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • L72 - Industrial Organization - - Industry Studies: Primary Products and Construction - - - Mining, Extraction, and Refining: Other Nonrenewable Resources
    • O52 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Economywide Country Studies - - - Europe
    • Q32 - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics; Environmental and Ecological Economics - - Nonrenewable Resources and Conservation - - - Exhaustible Resources and Economic Development
    • Q51 - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics; Environmental and Ecological Economics - - Environmental Economics - - - Valuation of Environmental Effects
    • R11 - Urban, Rural, Regional, Real Estate, and Transportation Economics - - General Regional Economics - - - Regional Economic Activity: Growth, Development, Environmental Issues, and Changes

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