A Perspective paper, written by the coordinator was published by Resources, Conservation and Recycling.
It reports that the decline in ore grade is the cause of a sharp decline in energy efficiency and a corresponding increase in emissions due to a sublinear relationship between material abundance and production rates.
In contrast, secondary raw materials – especially those accessed through urban mining and recycling – contain higher metal concentrations than primary ores. As recycling processes become increasingly powered by renewable electricity, their sustainability is expected to further improve, making them environmentally and energetically preferable material sources.
Recovering critical materials from end-of-life products or industrial residues reduces environmental impacts and diversifies supply chains. Importantly, as ore grades decline and clean energy becomes more accessible, some low-grade ores or tailings classified as “waste” may become economically and environmentally viable through advances in processing and energy use optimization.
Addressing this contradiction requires urgent and coordinated action by industry and policymakers alike to ensure that the energy transition remains truly sustainable.
Thi work was highlighted by ANSA (https://www.ansa.it/canale_scienza/notizie/terra_poli/2025/11/04/cresce-limpatto-ambientale-dellestrazione-dei-metalli-green-_5b248dbd-23e4-4574-aeca-3f79612c52aa.html)