2023-10-14 11:35:24
A Flying Dutchman based in Menorca, he has worked in mines halfway around the world to become one of the greatest experts in climate mining and a champion of the responsible extraction of the resources we need to address decarbonization. He speaks to this newspaper after participating in a conference on critical minerals organized by the Naturgy Foundation.
-The more we break with oil and gas, the more minerals we need?
-Yes, because we are in a transition that is not energetic but extractive. From coal we need copper, from hydrogen to platinum. But apart from oil and renewables, we need critical minerals because you always need equipment that needs those minerals. Exploration devices need critical minerals for the simple fact that two centuries ago we mined six minerals and now there are few elements on the periodic table that we don’t mine. The term critical depends on whether I have it or not. In reality, few minerals are critical right now, it is mining itself that is in a critical state. We have emergencies and an average of 10 years to operate a mine. We do not have enough time to meet climate commitments.
-Are we at risk of going from depending on OPEC to relying on a single supplier, such as China, which monopolizes the market for critical minerals?
-Since the Russian invasion of Ukraine we have seen pacts between different blocs and countries to secure these critical minerals. Before it was not on the agendas, but now it is on all of them. Strange pacts, such as that of South Korea with India or France with Chile, all to secure these raw materials. The more advanced a country is, the more prohibitive it is to exploit mines. In addition, it changes very quickly according to needs. Three months ago the US realized it needed more copper and made it critical. In any case, this is not buying potatoes, but raw materials in the future, so you can have an agreement, but never be sure that it will be fulfilled because China can arrive and buy all the production, paying more. And then there is demand, in 2025 there will be more demand for copper than production.
-Are there no resources?
-When we say that we have enough mineral resources on Earth, we do not know if they are economically feasible. When we are sure that they do, then they become reserves, but then the following appears: if we have the extraction capacity and we do not. The minerals are there, but there is a bottleneck.
-Europe maintains its challenge of stopping manufacturing combustion engines in 2035 and still does not have a concrete plan, what should it be?
-At this time, none of the world leaders have taken the “climate PCR”. They have not internalized what critical minerals are. In the 2030 agenda, we Westerners believe we are Superman, but there is a kryptonite that is minerals. Well, the “Brics” are Lex Luthor. Now we run at forced marches, but among the leaders no one thinks about the fact that the agenda is the story of Narnia. It is impossible. At least within the EU they already realize that it is not feasible.
-What do you propose?
-In 2019, I calculated my carbon footprint for the 5 international trips I took. So I decided to consolidate my carbon footprint in 2030. I changed my electricity contract to a renewable one and mitigated carbon capture by collaborating with plantations in Congo. Imagine Von der Leyen doing this. If they did, then people would believe you. The problem is that they go to Davos with private planes or to the COP in Glasgow to burn diesel by moving hundreds of cars. When you don’t have the problem internalized, it is very difficult to face it. In the EU they are giving sticks, in the US at least they are giving carrots. It’s normal for people to jump on top of each other. What all EU ministers should do is post their carbon footprint on the transparency portal and what they personally do to erase it.
-You claim that Europe is far behind and that we are not there, what is this based on?
We need mines for batteries and we have to identify 28,000 mining projects by 2030 if we want to meet the commitment that 10% of the minerals we consume come from the EU. That makes 86,000 mineral projects by 2040. Well, the mines are where they are and 35% of these metal resources are in Spain. We do not even appear at the summits on this issue and we hold the Presidency of the EU.
-Is it crazy to be one of the countries in Europe with the most lithium and not extract it, and have 30 projects stopped?
-Total. We make any excuse not to exploit our resources. But the people who have a mine nearby are happier, there is work, development, life… The one who is not happy is the NGO based in Salzburg because their business is creating trouble. Today’s mines are cleaner than an airport.
-What is climate mining?
-Transform the mining concept into something bigger, not just exploitation. In reality, if we help reduce the carbon footprint we can all be climate miners. Fossil mining is not about change and “green” mining is about cleaning and decarbonizing. Climate mining wants to decarbonize the planet. If we also do business, then fine. The term “green” has become rotten and when you scratch a lot of green it is not green. If people don’t have jobs or shelter, there is no transition, it has to be fair. Mining is not bad. Let’s think about everything we touch that doesn’t grow, from a toothbrush to mascara, all of that is mining.
-Denounce the hypocrisy of the West…
-Yes, just look at the campaign against cows. We all leave a mark, us and our pets too. The thing about the cows’ footprint is a lie because what you have to see is the balance. When I open the fences in the fields, the bacteria from the cow feces settle on the roots of the plants and allow the fungi to transfer the micronutrients. You have to make a balance. Cows are a thousand times less polluting than they say.
– What is the point of making the effort if the rest of the world does not accompany us?
The 2030 Agenda has not been voted on. It has been designed by left-wing gentlemen who have never been in a poor place, where what is needed are jobs. They write this letter to the Three Wise Men for everyone, but in India and China they do not believe in the Three Wise Men. 80% of the world has other problems. This is going to lead Europe to very harsh poverty with excessive price increases that will end up exploding.
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