Why the EV industry needs European battery minerals

The transformation of the transport and vehicle industry towards greater electrification is set to continue. At Eurobattery Minerals, we are committed to becoming an important part of this value chain and as such, to contribute to a more sustainable future. We have one clear and long-term vision: to provide battery minerals (primarily nickel, copper and cobalt) mined in Europe to the European EV industry – ethically and with full traceability. In doing so, we strive to be the very foundation of the battery value chain. 

The mining industry is an important part of the transformation

As the transition from fossil fuel to EV vehicles progresses, the European Union has clearly identified the important role the mining industry has to play in achieving this shift. And as car manufacturers launch a wide range of new EV cars, the need is growing for battery development and manufacturing. As a result, battery minerals – some 35 different minerals are needed in a single battery – have quickly become one of the most important raw materials on earth. 

This is particularly true for Europe. Analysts estimate that only 2–4 per cent of batteries needed by the European EV industry are manufactured in the region. Even if new battery factories are opening in Europe, demand is still much greater than supply. 

Dependency to a few producing countries is not sustainable

As with any important raw material, countries with access to such assets are quick to ensure that their needs are met first. Bearing this situation in mind, let me be very clear, the necessary minerals for battery manufacturing are not a scarce resource. But we cannot be reliant on other parts of the world to fulfil the battery and battery mineral needs of European auto manufacturers. For large industries, such uncertainty in the supply chain is simply not a viable working process. 

Furthermore, being dependent on a few countries is not a feasible working strategy from a sustainability perspective. Unfortunately, in some parts of the world, the mining industry is still struggling with both environmental and labour challenges. For example, most of the world’s cobalt is mined in Congo where the mining industry faces severe challenges in the form of child labour, environmental problems and even armed conflicts.

The EU must work harder for European battery minerals

All of the above provide a clear signal that the EU needs to work even harder to source its own battery minerals within Europe. Having worked in the mining industry for many years and witnessed the development in methods and processes, we believe the European mining industry has all the prerequisites to be a sustainable industry and an important contributor to the electrification of the transportation sector.

Eurobattery Minerals is already part of the race and we are looking forward advancing the industry.

Best regards,
Roberto García Martínez