mining for beryllium and other mineral commodities

NEW STRATEGY OF THE EU COMMISSION
Europe's fight for resources
The growing demand for commodities from developing countries. For mining in protected areas, the countries are now receiving money for reform programs. BY FRANCOIS Misser

Of rare earth elements (here: bismuth), there are more and more conflicts over distribution.
When accessing resources in developing countries with the most fingers pointed to China - but Europe is no less greedy. On Wednesday the European Commission, other EU institutions will present a European strategy on raw materials after the deadline was postponed last week - at the same time present a strategy to curb speculation in commodities. Europe wants to secure access to raw materials, emerging with a growing rivalry with China and others.
The draft strategy document, which is present Taz talks about increasing difficulties in securing raw materials. Prices had risen sharply due to growing demand from China, India and Brazil as well as the activities of speculators in the commodity derivatives markets. Beyond the financial aspects is the main topic of how Europe can provide in principle the future with enough raw materials. The European industry is dependent on imports for 14 minerals in a critical size, they say. When antimony, beryllium, germanium, indium, cobalt, magnesium, niobium, platinum, and tantalum, as well as the so-called rare earths, the import dependence 100 percent.



In rare earths there, "a particularly high risk of supply shortages in the coming years," because here find the support instead of 97 percent in China. Without rare earth an ecological transformation is impossible - they are needed for wind turbines, electric cars, catalytic converters, circuits and fiber optic cable. Given this situation, the Commission recommends to create strategic reserves of raw materials on the U.S. model and to explore alternative raw materials. Mining should not be ruled out more "automatic" in nature reserves. Better resource efficiency and recycling should be promoted.
These give many options, says Stephan Csoma, Vice President of the Belgian company Umicore, a global leader in recycling. In the EU, only two percent of all mobile phones are collected and recycled raw materials it contains, he says. One tonne of mobile phone contains, according to EU Environment Commissioner Janez Potoznick 280 grams gold, 140 grams of platinum, 140 pounds of copper and precious amounts of tantalum. New rules for the recycling of iron, aluminum, copper, paper and glass, the EU plans as well.
In addition to import from Africa and other areas more. Loans and loan guarantees to encourage investment in transport networks and energy supply in developing countries. Developing countries are no longer commodity exports through export taxes, quotas or export licenses more difficult to promote as their own resource-processing industries. "If you want access to our markets, we want access to your resources," concluded Stefan Mair from the Federation of German Industries (BDI), this policy together with a consultation of the European Parliament last Wednesday.

In return, there is money for geological research and reform programs to enable governments to resource-rich countries appear less oblivious to international mining companies. Also wants to prevent revenue flow from the mining development in the war funding. Civil society organizations are skeptical. The proposed resource initiative "will reduce Africa's ability to transform its natural riches into an engine of growth", says the NGO coalition "Fatal