"I am re-signing mining permits in France. And it's been a long time since that happened." Roland Lescure, Minister Delegate for Industry, welcomed Friday the resumption of mining exploration projects in France. He was speaking to members of the Strategic Metals Committee, the structure that brings together public and private authorities and is designed to manage the country's security of supply.
The projects are now mainly in lithium - one in the Massif Central and two in Alsace. Roland Lescure wants to increase the number. To encourage stakeholders to get started, a measure, proposed as part of the finance bill, will allow mining projects in France to benefit from a tax credit.
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The green industry bill already includes a tax incentive scheme. However, this tax credit only concerns factories directly involved in the technologies that Brussels wants to promote, namely hydrogen, batteries, wind, photovoltaic and heat pumps. With the desired addition in the finance law, "the France will be one of the few countries, with the United States, to benefit from such a measure in the mining field," said Roland Lescure.
This tax credit will represent a maximum of 45% of investments (Capex) and up to €200 million per project. To comply with EU law, at least 50% of the turnover generated by mining products must be intended, directly or indirectly, to companies operating in the hydrogen, battery, wind, photovoltaic or heat pump sectors.
