The concept of critical minerals refers to 34 elements that we consider essential to achieve technological progress and energy transition. These minerals, such as tungsten or tantalum, are the protagonists of the eighth issue of the CSIC Investiga biannual informative journal. The latest issue of the collection, which was presented on Tuesday, 8 April, at the Spanish Geological and Mining Institute (IGME-CSIC), shows the research carried out at the Spanish National Research Council (CSIC), part of the Ministry of Science, Innovation and Universities, to promote the exploration and exploitation, both in Spain and in Europe, of these fundamental resources.

The event was attended by the president of the CSIC, Eloísa del Pino, and the director of the IGME, Rosa María Mateos. Both the audience and the people who followed the presentation via streaming were able to enjoy the projects that CSIC has developed for the recycling of these minerals or the search for new exploitations thanks to the interventions of Concepción Fernández Leyva, researcher at the IGME-CSIC; María José Jurado, geologist at Geociències Barcelona (GEO3BCN-CSIC); Félix Antonio López, researcher at the National Metallurgical Research Centre (CENIM-CSIC); and Fernando Tornos, geologist at the Institute of Geosciences (IGEO, CSIC-UCM). The debate was moderated by journalist Manuel Seara.

CSIC Investiga cover - Minerales críticos

At the CSIC, several teams are carrying out research to improve the extraction of these precious minerals. The research section of the journal deals with projects that seek to improve exploration and exploitation, both in Spain and in Europe. Thus, the magazine shows, among others, the work of a team from the National Centre for Metallurgical Research (CENIM-CSIC) that has developed a process that makes it possible to obtain niobium and tantalum, the basic ingredients of the precious coltan -indispensable for electronic devices such as mobile phones and video game consoles- from the tin slag from the Galician mine of Penouta, in Ourense.

Watch the presentation of the journal here: 

ICMAB featured in ARA for its work on recycling and alternatives to critical raw materials

The Catalan newspaper ARA recently published an article titled “Recycling Critical Materials: A Second Chance for the Elements that Move the World”, highlighting the crucial role of science in the energy transition and the urgent need for sustainable access to critical raw materials like lithium, cobalt, and rare earth elements.

In this context, researchers at ICMAB are making significant contributions. M. Rosa Palacín and Alexandre Ponrouch, both experts in battery materials, are leading pioneering research into the development of alternative energy storage systems that do not rely on lithium. Their work focuses on using sodium, calcium, or magnesium—elements that are more abundant and potentially more affordable.

“Replacing one metal with another is not simple, as they don’t share the exact same properties,” explains M. Rosa Palacín, “but some may offer advantages in terms of cost, availability, or sustainability.”

Palacín also stresses the importance of advancing battery recycling technologies. Current industrial methods—hydrometallurgy and pyrometallurgy—are in use, but come with economic and environmental limitations. Improving these processes is vital for reaching the European Union’s goal of sourcing 25% of its critical raw materials from recycled sources by 2030.

At ICMAB, this research supports a broader effort to strengthen the circular economy, reduce environmental impact, and enhance Europe’s strategic autonomy in key technologies. Through innovation and collaboration, ICMAB plays a vital role in building a more sustainable and resilient future.

Alexandre Ponrouch in the battery lab | ICMAB-CSIC

Read the full article here: Reciclar materials crítics: una segona oportunitat per als elements que mouen el món (Diari ARA)

Read more

• EL CSIC PRESENTA LA REVISTA CSIC INVESTIGA “MINERALES CRÍTICOS” – cenim
• El CSIC investiga nuevos recursos para recuperar minerales críticos en Europa | RETEMA
• Los minerales críticos protagonizan el nuevo número de la revista divulgativa CSIC INVESTIGA | Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas
• Investigadores del CSIC debaten sobre las nuevas estrategias de obtención de minerales críticos | Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas
• CSIC Investiga 8. Revista de Ciencia | DIGITAL.CSIC 
• Reciclar materials crítics: una segona oportunitat per als elements que mouen el món (Diari ARA)