General · 20 June 2026
EU plans mines in water-stressed regions
The European Commission wants to rewrite a key water law, sparking alarm as many new mines are planned for drought-hit areas. This change aims to speed up critical minerals mine development, despite mining being a water-intensive industry. More than 50% of the 33 proposed projects are situated in regions that have experienced significant desiccation over the last two decades; six of these specifically in Spain, a country already grappling with considerable water scarcity issues.
Reported by Guardian · How we write briefs