Italy’s upstream energy and mining sectors are being reshaped by the dual challenges of decarbonization and strategic autonomy.  
 
The current geopolitical scenario has increased the urgency for a national strategic oil and gas production program. Furthermore, the transition to a decarbonized economy is bringing a renewed focus on critical raw materials. These are essential for renewable technologies, electric mobility, storage systems, and the broader industrial ecosystem. 
 
Italy is attempting to respond to these trends through changes in its oil and gas legal framework, and through initiatives such as the National Mineral Exploration Program for critical materials. 
 
Collaboration between industry and institutions is crucial. However, this common ground is unlikely to be sufficient without a comprehensive revision of the national legal and permitting framework, and a simplification of the process.   
 
For the mining sector, the law and permitting framework needs an even more drastic update and revision as mining activity has undergone a strong decline in Italy in the last thirty years. This  implies a complete re-working in order to achieve the development of an integrated domestic raw materials value chain. 

Critical raw materials and strategic minerals  
At Assorisorse, Italy’s Sustainable Energy & Resources Industry Association, we have a number of other long-term goals, including several in relation to critical raw materials and strategic minerals. 
 
Building a national raw materials supply chain means going well beyond exploration and extraction. It requires strengthening all downstream phases, including refining, processing and the production of intermediate materials, which are currently often concentrated outside Europe. It also implies investing in industrial capabilities for recycling and urban mining, enabling the recovery of critical materials from end-of-life products such as batteries, electronic devices, and industrial waste.  
 
Equally important is the integration between mining activities and manufacturing sectors, ensuring that domestically-sourced materials can effectively support national value chains in energy, mobility, and advanced technologies. Developing such a supply chain also entails fostering innovation, skills and infrastructure, as well as creating stable regulatory conditions that can attract long-term investments and reduce project risks. 
 
Part of our work is of course to enhance the competitiveness of the Italian industrial supply chain in the energy and extractive sectors. This requires a systemic approach that rebuilds and strengthens the entire value chain while accelerating innovation and sustainability. 
 
Italy needs to consolidate an integrated raw materials supply chain, connecting upstream activities - such as exploration and extraction - with downstream phases including processing, refining, manufacturing, and recycling. Reducing external dependencies is essential, but competitiveness will ultimately depend on the ability to retain value within the country, ensuring that domestically-sourced materials feed strategic industries such as renewable energy, batteries, and advanced manufacturing. 
 
Streamlining the regulatory and permitting framework is crucial to attract investment and reduce uncertainty for operators. Clear, predictable, and efficient authorization processes can significantly improve project timelines and make Italy more attractive compared to other jurisdictions. At the same time, targeted public support for strategic projects, including access to funding and incentives for innovation, can help scale industrial initiatives. 

Mapping domestic rare materials  
To best encourage resource development and low-carbon technologies, Italy is attempting to respond through initiatives such as the National Mineral Exploration Program, aimed at mapping domestic sources of lithium, graphite, and rare earth elements to reduce dependence on imports. However, these efforts are unlikely to be sufficient without a comprehensive revision of the national legal and permitting framework and, crucially, without the development of an integrated domestic raw materials value chain. It is important to find the right balance between environmental safeguards and industrial competitiveness. 
 
Overall, Assorisorse sees innovation, the creation of a resilient and integrated raw materials supply chain, and environmental stewardship as central pillars for revitalizing Italy’s upstream industries and ensuring their competitiveness within a decarbonized and increasingly resource-constrained global economy. 

Aligning domestic and European initiatives  
Looking ahead to 2030 and beyond, through initiatives such as the Osservatorio Italiano Materie Prime Critiche Energia (OiMCE, Italian observatory on critical raw materials for energy) Assorisorse can help align industrial strategies with national and European priorities, supporting informed policymaking and coordinated action.
 
In this context, Assorisorse can play a pivotal role as a facilitator and catalyst, and actively foster technological innovation across its member companies by encouraging joint research and development projects, supporting pilot initiatives, and promoting partnerships with universities and technology providers. 
 
Ultimately, strengthening the Italian supply chain will depend on the ability to integrate industrial capabilities, invest in innovation, and create a stable and supportive ecosystem - areas where Assorisorse can act as a key enabler and strategic guide. 

Photo: courtesy of Assorisorse