The Government’s decision to move forward with a new National Strategy for Geological Resources until 2035 comes at a particularly relevant time, not only due to the international context, but also due to the national history of postponed opportunities.

Portugal does not start from scratch. It has a tradition in mining activity and has important resources. The problem has never been the absence of potential, but rather the lack of a clear and consistent vision that allows us to transform this potential into real economic value. The previous strategy remained unexecuted, and this says a lot about the difficulty that the country has had in aligning interests, policies and decisions in this sector.

Today, the context is different. Global pressure on raw materials is increasing, driven by the energy transition, digitalisation and the reindustrialisation of Europe. Resources considered critical have become central to the economic competitiveness and strategic autonomy of countries. And that puts Portugal in a position that it cannot ignore.

The new strategy arises precisely in this context. It is not just about exploiting resources, but about integrating Portugal into a broader value chain, where efficiency, sustainability and resilience are key factors. Valuing internal resources is no longer an option and has become a strategic necessity.

But there is one point that cannot be ignored. The development of this sector inevitably brings social and environmental challenges. The exploitation of mineral resources generates tensions, especially in terms of land use, environmental preservation and the quality of life of the populations. And without social acceptance, any strategy will be doomed from the outset.

This is where Portugal will have to do better than in the past. It is not enough to define a strategy on paper. It will be essential to ensure transparency, dialogue with communities and a real balance between economic development and sustainability. The circular economy, resource efficiency and technological innovation will have to be part of the solution, not just theoretical concepts.

Another relevant aspect is the need for institutional coordination. The creation of a new agency dedicated to geology and energy can be an important step, as long as it can bring coherence and effectiveness to the process. The involvement of public entities, sector associations and local agents will be decisive to ensure that the strategy does not remain unexecuted.

Basically, the challenge is simple to define but demanding to achieve. Portugal has resources, it has knowledge and today it has an international context that values exactly what it has. What is missing is to transform this combination into a concrete and executable vision.

Because more than having resources, what really matters is knowing how to use them.