Search for mining resources, carbon storage… The government wants to simplify procedures

The government must present its mining law reform project in the coming days. It will shorten the procedures for searching for new deposits and will open the way to carbon storage in France.

The ministers in charge of Energy, Bruno Le Maire and Roland Lescure, announced on Friday April 12 a major simplification plan. It will be presented in the coming days and will also concern mining law. Bercy thus intends to accelerate the procedures for the exploration of resources in our soil, in particular for the search for critical metals.

“Our soil is full of richesaccording to Bruno Le Maire. Lithium and copper are the new black golds of the 21st^e century, France must exploit them”, affirms the Minister of the Economy, Finance and Energy. VSMetals are essential for the energy transition, the exit from fossil fuels.

DFirst, lithium: it will take 10 to 15,000 tonnes per year, by 2035, just to power the batteries of electric cars. Et to develop the electricity network (for example connect new offshore wind turbines), copper will be needed: up to 42,000 tonnes per year, within 15 years. VSFrance imports strategic metals today. SO To ensure French independence, the government wants to facilitate the exploitation of our promising deposits.

Shortened procedural times

For the moment, the procedures are long: manufacturers must wait 16 to 18 months to obtain an exclusive research permit. It is the exploration phase which allows us to measure the potential of a deposit. HASWith the simplification of mining law, this period will be halved to 6 to 9 months, as with our European neighbors.

Bruno Le Maire thus wants to attract industrialists to French soil. The minister thus regrets that France is not yet exploiting its lithium deposits in Alsace, while the Germans are starting to do so on the other side of the Rhine.

On the other hand, the procedures will not change in the next phase: operation. To start construction work, authorization and measurement of environmental impact will still be required. VSThis phase can be long. EAt the moment, for example, there is a public debate around a lithium mine in Allier. The project is contested by residents who are particularly concerned about the use of water.

The text must also allow ffacilitate major geothermal projects, to go to capture heat in underground water tables.

Towards carbon storage in France

The law will also open up the possibility of carbon storage in France. This technology still in development is presented as essential for the decarbonization of industry. IThis involves capturing carbon dioxide at the outlet of factories, for example cement factories which cannot completely eliminate their emissions. LThe idea is then to bury this carbon underground or under the sea, in old oil or gas wells.

For the moment, this is not authorized in France. The government and manufacturers are entering into partnerships for storage in future sites in Norway, Denmark and Italy. But the government also wants to store with us, this would avoid the cost of transport.

The new mining right will allow the reconversion of exhausted wells. There are some in the south of the Paris basin and in New Aquitaine. VSThis will be a possibility, but many studies will be required before actual implementation.