The European Commission plans to rewrite the EU's flagship water protection law to speed up the development of critical minerals mines, despite many being located in drying and water-stressed regions, analysis has found. Mining is a water-intensive industry, requiring large volumes of water for ore processing, dust suppression, waste management and mine dewatering. While modern projects recycle water, they still require significant amounts, and in water-stressed regions those demands can add to pressure on already stretched rivers, aquifers and water supplies.
Analysis and mapping found that more than half of the 33 planned new or expanded mines designated as 'strategic projects' under the EU's Critical Raw Materials Act are located in areas that have been drying over the past two decades, according to satellite data. Nearly half are in zones that experienced drought conditions in the past three months, and a quarter are in regions deemed water-stressed.
Southern Europe at the Epicentre
Six of the strategic mines are planned for highly water-stressed areas in Spain, with others in Portugal and Greece. All three countries rank among the top 10 EU nations with the worst water scarcity. In 2024, the Spanish region of Catalonia declared a state of emergency over its worst ever drought, and water-use restrictions were imposed in AndalucÃa. In 2022, 96% of Portugal was experiencing 'extreme' or 'severe' drought conditions.
Some projects have already sparked fierce opposition. The environmental organisation Ecologistas en Acción is challenging the European Commission's decision to grant strategic project status to all six Spanish mines, arguing that it failed to properly consider risks to water resources, biodiversity and protected areas.
The Race for Critical Minerals
Global demand for critical minerals has tripled since 2010 as countries race to build artificial intelligence infrastructure, electric vehicles, renewable energy technologies and defence systems. It is expected to more than double again by 2030, with graphite, lithium and cobalt need projected to rise nearly 500% by 2050 from 2020 levels. Concerned about its dependence on imports, the EU designated 47 mining, processing and recycling projects as 'strategic projects', including 33 mines. The designation puts projects within the EU on a fast track through permitting processes and is designed to accelerate development.
Rewriting Water Protection Rules
In a move that has alarmed environmental groups, Brussels is also preparing to revise the water framework directive, the EU's key law protecting rivers, groundwater and wetlands, with the stated aim of removing permitting bottlenecks and improving access to strategic minerals. Euromines, the trade association for Europe's mining and metals industry, has been pushing for these changes. It wants longer deadlines for countries to meet water quality targets, amendments to how the 'no deterioration' rule is applied to water bodies, and greater legal certainty for mining and other industrial projects.
Environmental groups fear the proposed changes could weaken protections but the industry body rejects this suggestion and insists it is 'not a licence to pollute'. A Euromines spokesperson said: 'Our overarching priority remains constructive engagement with policymakers to ensure strong environmental safeguards alongside legal clarity and predictability for permitting authorities.' The European Commission defended its choice of mines, saying the strategic projects were assessed by independent experts and met stringent environmental criteria.
Critics, however, warn that pushing ahead with water-intensive mining projects in regions already suffering from severe drought amounts to a dangerous gamble. 'It's Russian roulette,' one environmental campaigner said, summing up the fears of communities who see their already scarce water resources threatened by Europe's rush for minerals.
