Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 29 November 2023
21. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he agrees with detailed scientific analysis on metal mining requirements for EVs carried out by scientists at the UK National History Museum (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52683/23]
View answerI refer the Deputy to the report entitled Green Metals: Demand Arising from Decarbonisation of Energy and Transport Sectors commissioned by my Department and published in March 2023, which is available at www.gsi.ie/documents/Green_metals_report_2023.pdf.
The roll-out of the EU’s digital and green transitions, including clean energy technologies such as electric vehicles, has driven a much increased demand for minerals identified by the EU as critical raw materials. The EU Critical Raw Materials Act (CRMA) is aimed at ensuring the supply of critical raw materials, mitigating risks to supply chains and reducing the EU’s strategic dependencies while boosting European autonomy, including through promoting the refining, processing and recycling of raw materials in Europe.
My Department engages with CRMA implementation structures to be aware of developments in international markets for zinc and critical raw materials.
