Court decides on controversial lithium reduction on the Koralpe

Court decides on controversial lithium reduction on the Koralpe

Koralpe, Österreich - The planned lithium mining on the Koralpe in Carinthia causes plenty of excitement. According to a decision by the Carinthian State Authority, no environmental impact assessment (RRP) is necessary for the project. However, this decision, which was made at the end of 2024, is under violent criticism. As Kleine Zeitung , numerous complaints have been given in the courts. The Federal Administrative Court has already dealt with the controversial project "Lithium reduction Koralpe" from the ECM Lithium at GmbH at an oral hearing. However, the final decision is still missing; Here it is currently called "everything open".

The environmental organization virus does not agree with the determination of the Carinthian state government and criticizes the procedure as inadequate. Your spokesman Wolfgang Rehm even goes so far to consider confirmation of the decision by the court as excluded. If the court corresponds to the concerns of the complainants, it is conceivable that the decision will be lifted to carry out a UVP. Alternatively, the proceedings could be referred to the authority or the court could carry out an individual case.

The pressure on the authorities is growing

The critical attitude compared to lithium reduction is supported by the environmental protection organization Global 2000. This has officially lodged a complaint and complains about the missing Kulmulation examination in the UVP festival process. Expert Anna Leitner demands strict attention to all standards and participation procedures, especially in view of a global mining boom. She warns that the interests of the residents and nature conservation could fall victim to the profit of an Australian company without the RRP. There is an application for comprehensive expert reports that affect traffic, air and noise in particular.

Due to the increasing demand for lithium and other raw materials, the pressure on the authorities is noticeably larger to quickly approve mining projects. This happens not least in the course of the critical RAW materials Act of the EU, which aims to expand the reduction of raw materials within Europe. Global 2000 therefore not only calls for a comprehensive examination of the project, but also a sustainable growth strategy for mining in Europe, which is associated with circulatory economic laws and measures to reduce energy and material consumption. In order to emphasize its position, information was recently sent to the New York Stock Exchange Nasdaq to warn of the European Lithium/Critical Metals Corp with regard to the Carinthian project, as well as OTS reported.

Adrian Plessin, office manager of Carinthia's business officer Sebastian Schuschnig, rejected the allegations and emphasized that the procedure was carried out correctly. At the last trial, no representative of the country was present, but this was discussed with the court in advance. ECM Lithium at GmbH did not want to comment on the state of affairs and is waiting for the course of the legal process.

what is at stake here affects not only the environment, but also the quality of life of the residents. The outcome of the procedure could therefore have far -reaching consequences for the entire project. The exact course remains to be seen, while the debate about lithium reduction on the Koralpe remains turbulent. It is once more evident how important it is to involve all those affected in important decisions - because it is more than just about raw materials.