In a post for the Junge Akademie Blog at Der Standard, SCARCE's PI Sebastian Felten explores how Europe’s mining history – from cobalt as a waste product to lithium as a strategic resource – offers fresh perspectives on current resource policies.

The energy transition and rising geopolitical tensions are forcing Europe to rethink its approach to natural resources. After decades of globalization, deindustrialization, and mine closures, the continent is now seeking greater autonomy through a renewed focus on domestic mining. Many of these new projects are being developed in historically significant mining regions, such as the Ore Mountains (Erzgebirge), which have seen multiple mining booms over the centuries.

By connecting historical insights with contemporary developments, Sebastian Felten sheds light on the long-term dynamics of resource politics. His post illustrates how materials once considered waste became valuable commodities and underscores the importance of understanding the social, economic, and environmental trade-offs of resource extraction, both in the past and today.

Sebastian Felten was elected a member of the Junge Akademie of the Austrian Academy of Sciences (ÖAW) in 2024.

Read the full article in German [here].