Importance of Sustainable Mineral Resource Management in Implementing the Circular Economy (CE) Model and the European Green Deal Strategy

Abstract

The European Green Deal is the new strategy for economic growth adopted by the European Commission (EC) in late 2019. One of the most important tasks in the realisation of this strategy is the mobilisation of the industry for a clean and circular economy (CE). Currently, the European Union (EU) is in the process of transformation towards a CE model, which was announced in 2014. The CE assumes a transition from a linear model based on take–make–dispose to a circular model, in which waste, if it arises, becomes a valuable resource. At the same time, it is recommended to use raw materials (RMs) more efficiently and to recycle them. The EC underlines that both changes in the management of mineral resources in individual member states and their effects should be monitored. Therefore, in 2018, the EC pointed out issues related to RM management as important elements of the monitoring framework in transformation process towards CE. The paper presents strategic directions aimed at sustainable and circular RM management in the EU, with a strong emphasis on the key elements of sustainable development—environmental, economic and social. Moreover, the importance of mineral resources management in the EC in the context of transformation towards the European Green Deal and CE is presented, and the results of selected CE indicators related to the RMs, and indicators that present sustainable RMs management are discussed. The core of the paper is presentation of a set of recommended actions which should be taken in coming years with strong emphasis on the implementation of the sustainable development (SD) principles. RM management faces a number of challenges, primarily in achieving increased levels of critical raw materials (CRMs) recycling, as well as the greater involvement of stakeholders themselves and awareness raising in the field of SD and CE among enterprises operating in the RMs sector. Currently, all member states are working together to accelerate the transformation process in the area of CE and the European Green Deal, e.g., by implementing national CE programs. A great opportunity to accelerate the transformation process is the new financial perspective for projects under the balanced and circular management of RMs—Horizon Europe, which plans to finance the new projects on RMs management and recycling.

European environment policy for the circular economy: Implications for business and industry stakeholders

“…The circular economy fosters sustainable production and consumption behaviors as practitioners improve their operational efficiencies and reduce waste (EU, 2020a, 2020b, 2014a, 2014b; Stål & Jansson, 2017). The sustainable consumption of resources was recently listed as one of the priority areas of the European Green Deal as the European Union (EU) has also recognized the importance to reduce the mining of natural resources (EU, 2020a; Smol, Marcinek, Duda, & Szołdrowska, 2020). Currently, the national economies are reliant on the extraction of natural resources as they provide crucial materials for the manufacturing of products (Goto & Sueyoshi, 2020).…”

Drivers and Barriers for a Circular Economy (CE) Implementation in Poland—A Case Study of Raw Materials Recovery Sector

“…Introducing legal instruments and economic incentives would help to establish new collaborations in the context of "my waste-your raw materials". There are also economic opportunities to support the development of enterprises operating in the industry, resulting from the new EU financial perspective for 2021-2027, such as Horizon Europe with~100 billion EUR (including EIT Raw Materials) [2] or national support instruments (e.g., National Fund for Environmental Protection and Water Management; Polish Agency for Enterprise Development) [27]. Poland belongs to the Regional Innovation Scheme (RIS) countries, to which the EU allocates additional funds to stimulate their development and to reduce the differences in innovation between highly developed countries, such as Sweden, Netherlands or Germany.…”

“…It aims to transform the EU society into a fair and prosperous one, living in a modern, resourceefficient and competitive economy, and to achieve zero net greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. The main message of this strategy is to ensure that economic growth is independent of the use of natural resources [2]. It is worth noting that the EGD is an integral part of the EC's strategy to implement the 2030 Agenda of the United Nations and the sustainable development goals (SDGs) and their associated targets [3].…”

Towards Sustainable Mining in the Didactic Process—MEITIM Project as an Opportunity to Increase the Attractiveness of Mining Courses (A Case Study of Poland)

“…The mining industry faces a great challenge in the transition from a linear to a circular model. The authors of the paper [2] analyzed several EU guidelines aimed at accelerating the transformation in the area of a closed circular economy, which recommended the effective use of mineral resources in an era of sustainable development-environmental, economic and social. There are many challenges in the extractive industry, particularly achieving increased levels of critical raw materials (CRM), as well as the greater involvement of stakeholders themselves and raising the awareness of sustainability among extractive companies.…”