Georges-Louis Bouchez took part this Tuesday, 1 July, in a press conference at Blegny-Mine devoted to a strategic issue for Belgium's future. Our Jean Gol study centre presented its new study entitled “Relaunching mining expertise and industry in Belgium and Europe”, in the presence of geologists, professors and engineers.
The MR President recalled the urgent need to break our dependence on China: “Today, the best way for China to wage war on us is to stop supplying us with rare earths.” These rare earths are essential for producing batteries, wind turbines, electronic components and electric vehicles.
“We cannot call for the massive electrification of our uses while refusing all local production. What we are currently doing is deeply hypocritical: we are outsourcing our pollution, but also our decision-making power.” he insisted.
The MR supports a responsible and controlled revival of mining exploration in Wallonia, using modern and sustainable technologies. The MR President recalled that “the era of Germinal-style mines is over. Today, we can build technological, robot-operated mines with a reduced environmental impact.”
Georges-Louis Bouchez called for urgent clarification of Belgium's institutional framework and for a reform of the Walloon Mining Code to enable pilot exploration projects to be launched. He also advocated the creation of a federal Observatory for strategic materials to better map the country's resources.
The Jean Gol Centre's study highlights significant mining potential, particularly in Kelmis (La Calamine) and the Mons region. It also stresses the need to meet the targets set by the European Critical Raw Materials Act: by 2030, at least 10% of critical metals consumed in Europe must be extracted on European soil.
“We were world leaders in zinc. We can become pioneers again, but we must dare to look beneath our feet, with clarity, ambition and responsibility.” concluded the MR President.
The Mouvement Réformateur will continue to work towards European industrial sovereignty, a coherent circular economy and a sustainable revival of Wallonia's productive forces.