The French government, via the Ministry of the Economy, has announced significant “simplification” measures that would halve permit processing times for geothermal projects and exploration for critical minerals such as lithium and copper. This initiative is part of France’s broader strategy to improve carbon neutrality by exploiting under-utilized natural resources.
Strategic importance of geothermal energy and critical minerals
French Economy Minister Bruno Le Maire stressed the urgency of these developments during a visit to a geothermal power plant project in Villetaneuse. The French Minister for Industry and Energy, Roland Lescure, stressed that geothermal energy, critical metals and carbon storage are essential to a successful decarbonization strategy, highlighting the potential beneath the French soil.
Details of the modernization of mining law
Scheduled to be presented in a “simplification” bill on April 24, these reforms aim to lighten the cumbersome procedures of the current Mining Code, often an obstacle for project initiators. The proposed changes could shorten the exploration phase, from obtaining an exclusive research permit to actual project initiation, by more than six months.
Impact on national and renewable energy projects
These legislative changes should speed up the application process for around fifteen rare metals research permits and ten geothermal projects each year. This initiative is particularly significant given that 90% of the national territory could be viable for geothermal projects, which offer a sustainable and cost-effective energy solution.
Economic and environmental implications
Adjustments in mining regulations are seen as essential to meet growing demand for lithium and copper, crucial to France’s aggressive electrification plans, including the production of batteries for electric vehicles. The government plans to increase geothermal energy production from 2 TWh in 2022 to 6 TWh by 2028.
The French government’s initiative to streamline mining regulations represents a crucial step in using domestic geothermal and mineral resources to support its decarbonization objectives, while balancing ecological concerns with economic needs.
