The dual challenge of securing critical raw materials and safeguarding biodiversity: An analysis of the spatial overlap between mineral occurrences and environmentally protected areas

The European Union (EU) faces the dual challenge of securing critical raw materials (CRMs) and protecting and restoring biodiversity by, e.g., expanding protected areas (PAs). While resource extraction is essential for resource security, many CRM deposits overlap with ecologically significant regions, raising concerns about environmental impacts. This study assesses the spatial association between CRMs and PAs across EU and neighboring countries using geospatial analysis. Unlike previous studies focused on active mining sites, our approach incorporates both known mineral deposits and occurrences, i.e., products of exploration. We provide geostatistical estimates for our entire target area along with discriminating results by country and commodity. Additionally, conducted null model analysis evaluates whether CRM deposits are disproportionately located near PAs. Our analysis shows that CRM occurrences are frequently located near PAs, with approximately 84% of occurrences situated inside or within 5000 m of the nearest PA. On average, about 23% of the area within this 5000 m buffer around occurrences is protected. Statistical comparison with a random null model indicates that CRM occurrences tend to be slightly closer to PAs than expected by chance. These findings highlight that, in addition to the Critical Raw Materials Act and EU biodiversity strategy, further policy coordination will likely be needed to effectively balance resource security and environmental protection as CRM occurrences and protected areas are often in vicinity of each other or overlap. • Critical raw material (CRM) occurrences are often near protected areas (PAs). • 84% of CRM occurrences are located within 5 km of the nearest PA. • EU policy must balance expanding CRM extraction with nature protection.