Genna Tres Montis Mine in Silius to Reopen After 30 Years, Targeting Rare Earth Extraction
The Genna Tres Montis mine in Silius, Cagliari, is set to reopen after 30 years, containing 3 million tons of fluorite. This reopening is part of Italy's efforts to reduce dependence on China for critical raw materials (CRMs), particularly for lithium-ion battery production, essential for electric vehicles.
The mine aims to extract 70,000 tons of fluorite and 6,800 tons of galena annually. An investment of 50 million euros is being made by Mineraria Gerrei for site upgrades, with Valente Spa providing electric locomotives and wagons.
Currently, Italy continuously extracts only 2 of the 34 CRMs. The government has launched the National Mining Exploration Plan, involving 14 projects across 11 regions, focusing on non-invasive investigations and funded with 3.5 million euros. The Critical Raw Materials Act aims to ensure Europe extracts at least 10% of its strategic raw material needs by 2030, enhancing resilience against supply chain vulnerabilities.
