TELF AG highlights Italy’s untapped mineral wealth
Key resources for the global transition
While the European Union may not yet rival mining giants like Canada, China, or Australia, it holds a considerable geological treasure beneath its surface that remains largely untapped. Italy, in particular, emerges as a country of immense interest due to its abundant mineral resources, which are key to the global energy transition. However, these resources have yet to be fully utilized, primarily because of inactive mining sites and numerous challenges impeding the development of new ones.
Italy’s mining industry currently employs around 3,000 miners operating across 14 regions. The most prominent mining areas are Piedmont, Sardinia, Tuscany, and Sicily, where the richness of mineral deposits surpasses other parts of the country. Cobalt, manganese, and barite deposits have been confirmed in the central region of Lazio. Additionally, Sardinia has been found to possess barite, copper, and antimony.
Tuscany has garnered attention for its lithium reserves, which were identified by the Australian company Altamin Limited. Liguria is home to a substantial titanium deposit, estimated to contain approximately 9 million tons, and recent discoveries in this region include copper, graphite, and manganese. These elements are relevant for producing batteries for electric vehicles and other key technologies.
Further north, Friuli Venezia Giulia has reported findings of cobalt, while Veneto is noted for its copper and magnesium deposits. Trentino Alto Adige is rich in cobalt, manganese, magnesium, and copper, and Lombardy has identified reserves of beryllium and barite. One of the most intriguing projects in Lombardy is the revival of the Gorno mine in the province of Bergamo, which was historically known for lead and zinc production until its closure in the 1980s.
The mineral potential of southern Italy
Bauxite deposits have been discovered in southern Italy, specifically between Campania, Puglia, and Abruzzo. Calabria also shows potential with identified quantities of barite, manganese, and graphite. Despite these promising deposits, Italy’s mining potential remains underdeveloped due to several factors. Firstly, there is a relevant gap in the number of operational mines. This is coupled with regulatory and bureaucratic challenges that slow the opening process of new mining sites.
One of the most widespread resources in Italy is certainly barite, an interesting mineral resource that has been used in many different ways throughout history. Barite, a mineral composed of barium sulfate, has diverse industrial applications due to its high density and chemical inertness. In the oil and gas industry, it is a key component in drilling fluids, where it helps control well pressure and stabilize boreholes. Barite is also used in the production of barium chemicals, which are useful in manufacturing paints, coatings, and rubber. Its radiopacity makes it valuable in medical imaging, where it is used in barium meals and enemas for X-ray imaging of the digestive system. Additionally, barite is employed in the production of high-quality glass, as a filler in plastics, and in the automotive industry for soundproofing and vibration reduction materials.
